Chilling in the doldrums
We had glorious weather for quite a few days.
The ship entered a high-pressure system so it was clear skies, warm weather and calm seas. We delightfully languished, letting the current drift us in the general direction of Auckland.
During these days, we lounged on the deck. I led a couple of yoga sessions and joined others for exercises. I read my book in the sun. I tended the helm, which required hardly any attention, and played card games in the deckhouse. Sue described the days as “soporific.”
This was my favourite part of the trip. It was so mindful and relaxing. The sails were set but not always full. The motion of the ocean was slow and it was easy to balance and shower. We didn’t go very far, nor very fast, but that was okay because it meant more time to hang out in the high-pressure zone.
One quiet night we trawled for plankton and the net came up with blue bioluminescent creatures smaller than the palm of your hand that looked like transparent jelly with a hazelnut inside.