Location: Atlantic Ocean
Hello everyone! Today was an uneventful eventful day out on the beautiful Atlantic ocean. First, there was a spotting of dolphins early in the morning. The boxers who had found a new home on a flag halyard were reunited with their owner, who we shall not name. As we drew closer to midday, not one but TWO sea turtles were seen bobbing in the waves. Amanda, whose love of these animals is quite known, was sadly below deck when this happened, yet she rejoiced in our sighting. Lunch soon arrived, and all members were awoken prior by song (I was not singing as that would have been horrid).
We had a wonderful Moroccan meal of Maloui prepared by Sage and their cheffing team. We dug into our meals, happy that the skies were now covered in clouds offering an appreciated break from the sky’s burning rays. After clean-up, we received our first oceanography graded quizzes back; I am happy to report that everyone got at least a passing grade. We then proceeded to uncover more of the oceans’ secrets as the class was on Gases and Nutrients in Seawater. Now the question was who remembered their photosynthesis and respiration equations… not me, but we’ll all get there! Even with Europe basking in a heat wave, the winds coming over Vela today were quite temperate and were giving chills to a few students below deck and close enough to hatches. I was one of them which explains the unique burrito blanket Natalie found me in when she took one of the featured pictures. The class was not yet done as we then had Carolyn come in to explain and review seamanship terminology for our International Crew certification. When class was truly over, she distracted a few of us out of our sleepy states with pictures of her latest plankton tow. Who knew teeny tiny creatures could be so interesting!
As dinner crept closer, we all gathered in the cockpit again for an oh-so-delicious meal of lentil and potato stew with its share of freshly baked bread. Wow (or as Annie would say: Wowie)! Happily fed students make for a happy crew (: Squeeze question tonight was offered by Sage and Chansky: What would you call your boat if you ever had one? Personally, it would be Vol-au-vent, but we also had Chicken Wing, Over-and-Out, La Luna, Whiskers, Sunbird, and Cuttlefish. As cleanup was completed and the skies were starting to darken, the winds picked up, allowing us to leave our loud motoring for pleasantly quiet sailing. As Watch Team 2 (Chansky, Annie, Tia, Mallory, Sage, Dima, Calum, and me) were buzzy bees raising all sails but the fisherman (with more than enough lighting from the deck flood lights), others not on watch were in the salon having a communal viewing of The Proposal. By 2330, all sails were up with a final hurray. With that being said, I sign off to head to bed and
wish all family members and friends of the Vela crew Bonne Nuit!