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Dear
All
I would
like to pretend that the sole reason for me not writing a diary
in such a considerable time is that I have needed time to allow
my creative energies to reach their zenith so that I could blow
you away with such a effort of true journalistic brilliance. Sadly,
the above is patently untrue and the real reason has more to do
with the fact that I am the sleep master! Many of my crewmates are
truly gregarious souls and like nothing better than spending their
off watch time on deck or in the saloon socialising with one another.
I, on the other hand, will be found making a bee-line for my bunk.
My excuse for this behaviour is that (in conjunction with me being
a lazy sod) it is prudent to get in as much sleep as possible as
you never know when circumstances will change so that sleep is not
an option.
Then,
when the time comes to compose a diary entry (i.e. I have either
overdosed on sleep - unlikely, feel guilty, or have been nagged
by Tracey - much more likely) I agonise over the content. This may
not appear to be the case, especially in light of the rubbish I
have spouted so far. So far I have succeeded in skirting the issue
but any second now a theme will come to me.........
Er...............
Anyway,
maybe I should just fall back on my usual mainstay of describing
the various wildlife sighted so far. Well, since my last report
filed when we were on our way to Hawaii (told you it had been a
while since I last wrote) we have had some absolute treats. A highlight
has to be sighting sperm whales near Japan (we actually saw more
whales around Japan than we have seen the rest of the race which
seems odd when you consider that they are one of the very few countries
not to sign the global whaling moratorium. However, we can hardly
blame the whales for not knowing this). Then last week we were lucky
enough to see a pod of killer whales - a truly magnificent sight.
The
waters we are in at the moment are particularly rich in bird life
but as I am not significantly versed in the varieties of our feathered
friends I will not even attempt to to name most of them. However,
I feel that I must mention the various species of albatross we have
encountered. The sight of these large birds gliding gracefully in
conditions which we would consider as testing really is truly something
to behold.
It
would be impossible to mention all the wildlife encountered, especially
as I have no field guides and could be identifying them incorrectly.
Maybe it is best that I leave the animals there before I start getting
too involved and providing you with their Latin names etc (yes I
am that dull).
I would
like to leave you on a slightly serious note, however. Throughout
our voyage so far we have seen some amazing things, but I can't
help but feel saddened by the evidence of man's impact on the planet.
To be as far away from land as it is possible to be yet still encounter
the debris of human activities littering the ocean. To witness the
massive over fishing off the coast of China. These will not be the
highlights of my race.
Till
next time (whenever that will be)
Marcus
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