7.43am-almost a civilised hour…when the night is not what it once was. The day bursts into being with a lashing of rain and a glacial gust of wind.
Bracing against the wind, i emerge from my cave like the proverbial half shut knife-eyes shielded from the piercing shards of water.
One thing on my mind-reaching the sanctury of the 7.
Ensconsed in the electric captain’s chair, arm laid on the provided rest, one can survey his fine ship-the black prow stretching out fore, covering the sleeping giant below.
A deft twist and the giant rises from his slumbers, gnawing at handbrake cables in his eagerness to depart. Up anchor and off.
Furnace adjusted, and sails to intermittant we plow onwards, rounding Prelude cape and passing Discovery Bay.
A little further and the coast parts to reveal the deep water of the shipping lanes.
Here the gargantuans lumber, stopping to pick up their breathing cargo in sporradic fashion. My rudder and prop are fit to deal, and i skirt them in the doldrums with aplomb.
Onwards then to the bouys controlling the harbour. I wait in line, a ship surrounded by tugs. Lights alter and the giant is pushed into action once more-urgent in his dash for a berth.
Some helmsmanship is required to position the craft in the harbour berth-touching neighbouring schooners can elicit rage within the captain.
Moored, tis time to depart my charge and continue my quest o’erland. A chance glance at the sonar reveals the legend 14.0mpg.
Bugger.
fu'guttycars 