Currently typing away in time to KT Tunstall. Oh yes, it’s 1930 here and I’m about to turn in to try and get 8 hours sleep for once. I figure if I lie in bed for 8.5 hours I might get 8 hours sleep out of it. Unbelievable luxury. It basically means everything went smoothly today. If you are as mathematically challenged as I am, that means getting up at 0400, for the first conductivity-temperature-density (CTD) trace. The poor blighters analysing nutrients have to get up at 0300 to set up their instruments, so I guess I’m lucky.
Just as a random comment, we crossed the Tropic of Cancer overnight (23.5 degrees N). The next big line will be the equator, probably in 6 days time. There are loads of people who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Neptune before and a couple I know of who have been foolish enough to forget their certificates, so they cannot prove they’ve crossed the line before. This basically puts them back in the firing line of Neptune’s justice. First timers beware: Neptune can be harsh to those traversing his realm and the crew can carry out all sorts of unmentionable things to crossing the line initiates in His name.
Oh, by the way, it’s really difficult typing in the dark but as my cabin faces west I had a lovely view over the sea just after sunset when I started typing and couldn’t be bothered to move. It really is very dark already. We’re in the Trade winds at the moment, so it’s a brisk force 4-5 all the time. RRS James Clark Ross seems happy with it though. The bruises I obtained during our stormy transit down the North Sea and English Channel have been munched by my white blood cells now so I don’t look quite so battered any more. Coo, I’ve just realised, this is the end of our 14th day at sea. 24 to go!!
Right, that’s the end of KT Tunstall so time to turn in. Mmmmmmm, perhaps a little chocolate first?……..