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12
March 2001
The day started off quite bad. I was pulling(/dragging) the mainsail up and the
cockpit was filled with all the lines that are traced back(??). I
stumbled(/tripped) over a rope end and almost fell overboard, but landed on one
of those bars that makes up the rail(ing) around the boat right on my chest. It
didn't hurt unbelievably (much), but it did hurt, and I broke a rib on my left
side. The reason why I'm so sure(/can say that so confidently) is that a piece
of the rib was stuck behind the small(er) piece(/stump) that is underneath, and
I had an inward bump(/swelling), I was having(/experiencing) back muscle pain,
but nothing in particular from the (actual) fracture (itself). I lay(/lied)
(myself) down in the(/my) berth. Above it I have(/there's) a pipe and I
wanted(/was planning) to pull myself up using my left arm (with/by this) getting
the bone back in place. And after some tries(/attempts) I succeeded(/managed to)
in getting it pushed (back) more or less(/reasonably) in place. It's still
visible (though), but at least I got off cheap(ly). At worst I could have
ruptured a lung. It's pretty(/quite) "aching"(/"sore") and (now, edit) I can't
pull using my left arm. I know nothing can be done about it, so I haven't
considered turning around and go to a hospital, even though I am insured.
15 March 2001
It continued with poor wind or no wind at all until today the 15th where I'm in
(the) Doldrums. In four days I have only sailed(/gone) 220 miles. Actually
(that's) quite(/fairly) good since(/considering) Trojka sails on even the
slightest breeze. But (for) the last day or so it has been absolutely calm(/an
absolute windless day (and night)) and(/which) leaves everything (up) to the
current. I have done everything I had ever dreamt of doing if I ever were to be
on a level(/flat) ocean without any wind - just too bad(/a drag) with the rib -
everything must be done a little carefully. I have done some pilk fishing but
didn't catch anything and other than(/apart from) that just enjoyed it(/the
journey). But now I really just want a little wind to make me go south the next
time (I'm getting) a breeze(/is coming my way) - hopefully to find more wind.
According to the last(/latest) position I have on Doldrums, I had to go (down)
to three degrees north to be(/stay/get) clear of it. And some advise you to go
as far south as eight degrees. But I don't want to get too close to Columbia's
coastline(/of Columbia) so I'll probably turn(/swing) a bit west as I move
(further) down there.
Just south of the small Malpelo Island, I found a breeze. It's southwest(ward)
and I'm on starboard ???? , but only at 2 k/h, so if the wind doesn't get a
grip(/pick up) it's going to be many days before reaching(/arriving) at the
Galapagos Islands.
There's a radar(-equipped) guard from the Navy(/Marine) stationed at Malpelo
Island. He called me on the radio and we had a longer chat.
16 March 2001
It's 9 p.m. and in five days (of sailing) I have just gone 389 miles. At the
moment(/Right now) I travel at(/I'm doing) a speed of 2.3 k/h. I have spent most
of the day (just, edit) lying on the foredeck, enjoying life, did a little
reading, a little sleeping and a little staring.
The Pacific Ocean is (totally) amazing(/incredible). So far, the whole of my
navigation(/voyage) (in the Atlantic) has almost always been
uncomfortable(/associated with some discomfort). (Either, edit) too much wind or
(rough, edit) sea. But here I can't complain (about that here, edit). I'm not
travelling very fast but dammit(/ah, hell) it's wonderful when the boat's just
gliding across a perfectly(/totally) plane(/level) sea with (just) a small
breeze bearing up the sails so I can lie (about) in the shadow daydreaming. Life
is great and quite pleasant(/comfortable) when I'm able to find a position where
I forget about my ribs. |