Cape Breton Island Crew Diary - Jane Filbee

by Jabe Filbee on 17 Feb 2010 One thing about being out on a long ocean sail - there is a lot of time to think and get quite introspective both during quiet on watches and during off watches. Today more so than most, hard to believe that twenty-one years ago today my life took a big directional change. Today is the 21st birthday of my twins Paul and Karen.

As we continue to beat to windward (course north east/wind north east) we have entered the steady breezes of the current monsoon, winds around 15 knots and sea state quite good. That is the good news. The bad news is the current reports from Taiwan of extreme monsoon warnings with twelve meter seas. This is currently 1,100 miles north east of us but exactly where we are heading. We are crossing our fingers for some kind of low pressure to disrupt the monsoon flow but as of now there is none forecast. So all we can do is wait, and try to get as well rested as we can.

Interesting analogy, twenty one years ago today I was definitely in the calm before the storm. What followed was several months of sleep deprivation and exhaustion, coupled with fear of the unknown as I took on the challenge of the first few months of twins. Now, once again, I find myself in the calm, fearful of the impending stormy weather and rough seas. With Paul and Karen it was so worth every moment. I am hopeful that this experience with be the same.?

I'm not going to say much today about life here on board. This blog is for Paul and Karen. But I will talk about food for a minute. For someone who is definitely a eat to live (not live to eat) person, I am starting to dream about certain foods. I think as of today I have sworn off canned tuna for life, and don't even get me going on the canned meat! I crave fresh fish, meat, veges and fruit - pretty much of any kind.?

So Paul and Karen, as I write this fresh food is weeks away I am going to live vicariously through you today - so celebrate your birthday in style for me. Eat well, enjoy a good glass of wine (my wine cellar is yours today), and just make the most of this special day as you should each one that follows.?

One last visual for you. Right this moment it is one am on your birthday and I am on watch. The night is unbelievable. The ocean is lit up with phosphorescence and the sky is completely clear and full of stars. For the first time we can see Polaris marking due North and the same time the Southern Cross marking due South. To top it off, numerous shooting stars, as I said, a special day.?

I'm sending you (and of course Dave) a huge cyber hug with all my love and best wishes from the middle of the South China Sea.