12/27/2023 “Time is only a river whose past is its source and the ocean its destiny.” Last night it was “storm” on the phone and sadness in my head. Always closed hauled in the cold, gray mist, the sun had just gone to hide for a few hours below the Antarctic horizon. The only possible strategy to circumnavigate the earth is to continue towards the sea and go to sleep!
This morning the wind has dropped and the sun timidly pierces the fog, illuminating a kind of bubble made of large liquid hills on which the boat moves sluggishly. I hoisted all sail.
The weather point accompanied by a strong coffee, tells me that the system has changed again overnight and the barometer confirms me that the anticyclone will move to the SE of Kerguelen. The two North and South options, are again on the big green and blue carpet, but the best seems to be the one in the middle.
This afternoon as every day at 2pm UTC, I take a few milliliters of Indian Ocean to see how many particles of nano plastics we have managed to put in it and I worry about how to fit my garbage, inflated with packaging, on board.
I also think about the unpaid bills, the Christmas gifts that I could not offer and the house in Woluwe Saint Pierre that we are going to lose when I return. I’m a bit sickened, but it’s not seasickness.
I turn off the light and summon the dreams to come and recharge me.
12/28 6:40 am: For the moment 25-30 north wind, 35 point. Strong swell, (4 m), from the side. 2 reefs in the main + 2 turns on the staysail. We get pressed down often. I dread the end of the day because the wind should rise, but at the same time bring good luck, as well as the swell. Concerns with the WattandSea. It comes out of its support. I will try to add a shim on the transom so that it stays fixed. It is currently providing essential electricity given the lack of sunlight.
Edouard De Keyser
