Fish, First Aid, 'Parker' and Bread

My resolve to catch a fish was strengthened again yesterday when I called in to have a nice long chat to all the family as they were having Friday night fish and chips. I've got it all worked out now. First there will be sashimi with soy sauce, then steaks lightly fried, maybe with a light batter and lemon juice (not fresh of course) and possibly some kind of fish curry. All depending on the size and type of fish. Sadly it seems to take more than resolve to catch a fish, still nothing!

With all this talk of food I've noticed that a few people have been commenting about having to watch my figure. Not to worry I do! I'm actually proud to report that after years of struggling, in the last few weeks, I've actually put on just a little weight. You must be thinking that really is the strangest thing for a 16 year old girl to be saying but I've spent years being told by all the old salts that I need to bulk up a little and have a little in reserve, as it could be helpful as Ella's Pink Lady heads south and around Cape Horn.

No squalls at all today so I've been able to get plenty of uninterrupted catnaps. Really has been lovely sailing, 'Parker' the windvane has been doing his job amazingly and nothing much has needed attention. (Sorry I don't think I ever properly explained Parkers name for those people who weren't able to guess. Parker is the name of a character out of the TV series Thunderbirds. He drives a transforming pink Rolls Royce for a Lady Penelope!). So a few of you guessed it right.

Last night was something special with so many stars that I could swear that the air felt thicker for them. Also there's been a bit of phosphoresce in the water lately so the wash around Ella's Pink Lady is speckled with glowing lights. I got my first minor injury for the trip today, nothing at all serious just a little burn from the stove on my thumb. Treatment involved sitting out in the cockpit with my hand in a cup of water enjoying the sunset then a little cream and of course, the all helpful Band-Aid! Not exactly anything to write home about and believe me I'm about to regret it because as soon as this blog gets published, the phone's going to start ringing and I'm going to be subjected to several full medical interrogations. Talk about being wrapped in cotton wool! Well actually while today's little mishap really wasn't anything serious, the chance of me giving myself a real injury out here is quite serious. Thanks to Mum, a local Pharmacist and sailor Susie, Mark White and the St John Cadets from Dromona Secondary College and my doctor, Margaret Williams (who sailed solo round Australia a few years back) Pink Lady has a first aid kit to rival any hospital. I've also completed my marine medical course, know the kit inside out and as I mentioned, have plenty of advice ready at hand.

I just baked some lovely fresh bread (see pic below) so I'm off to go nibble at the crusty bits before they cool down. Of course covered with jam and cream, then bread and soup for dinner.

Just one more thing, with all this talk of me being mature, I have to say I had a bit of a giggle as I looked down at my bright pink toe nails!

Now just over 500 nm till the equator!

Jesse

Pic: Covered in flour, kneading bread in my open air galley at sunset.