JesseMartin.Net
13th April 1999
MY days are starting to become quite monotonous as they blend into each other.
It seems I've been in this hot weather for so long without many incidents that my memory has no time frame or order.
I feel very lethargic and haven't written in my journal for ages simply because there is nothing new to write. I think that my lack of speaking to people has played a part in this.
Ever since the bottom of South America I haven't been able to get through to any operators to place a call.
Everything seems to have slowed down in this hot environment - not only Lionheart's speed because of the fickle winds, but every action I make myself.
The dishes take twice as long to do and I make my way around the boat as if in slow motion. If I'm starkers I have to be careful not to get anything caught in the rigging.
I'm not sleeping the best because my head seems to be buzzing with unconscious thought and I find that my dreams are about the books I read and often I wake to myself sort of reciting them or making up my own endings.
My world is closing in as I continue living the same day over and over.
There are no longer any birds around and I haven't seen a ship since Cape Horn.
I'm not sure whether these feelings are due to the long voyage, or if it is the sweltering heat with the never-ending sea and sky of the tropics that is to blame.
Either way I'm looking forward to some milder weather and the familiar faces of family at half way.
I am currently typing, but a minute ago I noticed the fishing line was tight.
I went up and pulled it in to find only half a tuna. It is a beautiful color, but those blasted sharks had to steal half of it.
Ah well, better half than none.
I was asked by Tammie and Margaret how big my 18th birthday celebration will be when I get home.
Well, I don't how big it will be, but I'm sure I will never forget it.
I'm disappointed I missed Ben Harper playing at Offshore so I might try and e-mail him somehow and get him around to play - that would be the best celebration I could imagine!
The Year 12 girls at Strathcona were also wondering what kind of books I've been reading.
I've got heaps of books to chose from which Dymocks gave me, from novels about terrorism in the Middle East to inspirational stuff about a paraplegic's struggle to walk again.
Most of all though I like reading books by Thor Heyerdahl and Tim Severin, two great adventurers, as well as the odd psychological-minded book and, of course, the Bible.
Well I'm off now for a bit of fresh tuna. A hot pan with a little oil and a few drops of Tabasco. Mmmmm!