Easter Monday by Deb

Easter Monday, Para-Anchors, and Scilly Boys
2009 04 13

Today is Easter Monday. It is the 5th day of the Easter Holiday here in Geraldton. Most businesses (including the fabricator who is fixing our rigging plates) have been closed since Thursday. Grocery stores were closed Good Friday, and Easter Sunday and Monday. Even the bars were closed on Good Friday.

Today was the first day at the boat with everyone here. There was not as much work to do as James and Chris from Woodvale were working on the boat and we just seemed to get in their way. They were moving deck hatches (small round holes that give a place to put food and other stores). The rowing station closest to the back cabin had to be moved back (or forward as it may be---further from the back cabin) because there was no room for the rower in that position to slide and not hit the cabin with their hands.

Doug and his friend, John, worked on getting food ordered with Simon. They had to figure out the calories for each person and the weight of the food. The food for the 8 for 60 days =3 Million calories. The weight of the food will be about 600 kilograms. It will be a combination of freeze dried meals (backpacking type meals), non-cook meals and snacks to make up the 7500 calories or so each crew member will need each day.

There was training given by Woodvale on how to use para-anchors, drogues, the watermaker and how to manage their power whilst on the water. I’m sure this was very helpful, but I wasn’t there so that is all I have to say about that.

We went to the Freemason’s Bar (The official Crew Bar of the Indian Ocean Rowing Race) and ate dinner. It was the first time we had been out to eat since we got here. They have plates with hot stones on them. They serve your food raw and you cook your own on the stone. I was skeptical (imagine that) but it actually worked very well. I had a 2 inch steak and the stone stayed hot enough to cook my steak to even more than I really wanted. I realized that was why they gave you a plate to put the meat on when it was done to your specifications.

After dinner, Woodvale showed the video of the Scilly Boys rescue from June 2008. It was very interesting and nice to see a realistic look at life on the sea and what can go wrong. Simon also talked about his first Indian Ocean attempt when he capsized and had to cling to his hull for 16 hours before being rescued.

All and all a full day. I am looking forward to be able to find stores open when I go there today.