Drone image © Steve Reed Dec 2024
With regard to the calm ocean, I guessed that our luck could not hold out. Sure enough, about twelve hours ago the sea conditions began to change. It was very rapid. Previously, we had been ploughing through the waves like a water skier on a summer lake and now the ship was going up and down as though on a never-ending fairground ride.
Have you ever suffered from seasickness? I have and it's a terrible condition to endure. Up and down, your stomach rising into your mouth. You might find yourself lying in your cabin unable to do a damned thing - just praying silently for the undulating motion to cease. Fortunately, I remembered to bring some "Sea Legs" motion sickness pills with me so I am feeling A.O.K.. Pity I don't have any to spare.
Out on deck, several bloggers were groaning as they bent over the railings emptying their stomachs. Heave-ho! Their faces were pale grey, tinged with green. "Ohhhh!" spluttered Nurse Pixie from Alberta, Canada as she rushed from her cabin, spewing her guts up before she could reach the railing. As all nurses know, vomit is slippery stuff but thankfully I successfully dodged it as it swished about the deck.
Half the crew members are suffering too. I believe that "The Jolly Puffin" has a crew of seven, including Captain Flounders and even he has had to take some time out from his wheelhouse duties.
Seaspray bursts explosively from the bows every time we plunge into another trough.
Hysterically, Jennifer repeatedly yelled, "Oh God! We are going to sink!". It was sending shockwaves through the rest of the passengers so I held her shoulders and shouted at the top of my voice, "Pull yourself together lass! We are not going to sink!" This seemed to quieten her down but she continued to tremble like a leaf and barfed inelegantly once more.
How mountainous these seas are! We are meant to make Tristan da Cunha tomorrow morning - New Year's Eve - but I will be happy just to survive this ordeal. I can hear Dave Northsider and Mary Moon in their shared cabin singing a hymn of the sea above the roar of the ocean:-
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep:
O, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
from Yorkshire Pudding https://ift.tt/5RB940w