Yes, JANUARY, got that bit correct this time 😆
We have been steering west-south-westerly courses across the Pacific. We have to average a speed of 17.9 knots, which equates to 19.7 mph/31.5 kph. The ‘17.9’ is awkward, it’s right between using 2 and 3 diesel generators, however my decision was relatively easy; we were low on fresh water after our Canal transit and the stay in Fuerte Amador, using 3 diesels allowed us to run more evaporators, thus making water faster and we are now well stocked. We are down to 2 now, we have a very strong South Equatorial current with us and, I suspect, some influence from El Nino; the sea temperature is 85F/29C which is certainly indicative that something’s going on.
We have 1611 miles to Nuku Hiva and today, after 2 days of sun, it has started raining again. There’s plenty to do on board though and not many of our guests are sun-worshippers anyway.
Yesterday morning we had an award ceremony in the Upper Dining Room. Crew (and Officers) receive awards for time-served in the company and this was no exception, approximately 20 were receiving awards, everything from 5 years service, to 25 years.
It just so happened that in September of last year, I clocked up my 20 years with HAL, the first Brit to do so, however there soon will be others close behind. I had some nice emails from some our senior Corporate staff and received a 20-year lapel pin, (with a diamond, small 😯 )
The days at sea are, of course, an opportunity to ‘eat’ my way around the globe and last night was no exception. A dinner in the Pinnacle grill, this time with a James Bond theme. I was fortunate enough, (rank does its privileges on occasion), to share a table with 5 lovely ladies, what more can one ask for, particularly as one does not have to ‘make’ conversation, quite the opposite, I just had to sit there and listen 😀
We crossed the equator yesterday morning and are now in the South Pacific. It’s cyclone season and, thousands of miles away to the east of American Samoa, is just such a beast, quaintly named ‘Victoria’. However it is heading south and shouldn’t affect us; nevertheless I always keep a seaman’s ‘weather eye’ open. We have some great forecasting programmes, being sent to us daily and a far-cry from the old days, when only a barometer could give an indication of changing weather.