Five days at sea en route to Japan

We passed over the Mariana Trench a couple of days ago. It is the deepest part of the Ocean at 6 miles. We have now travelled over 20,000 miles which is half way around the world.

The weather has remained reasonably good. A bit of everything really - sun, rain, wind. Very humid before and after we crossed the equator and the 'crossing the line' ceremony had to be cancelled due to rain. Disappointed as Chris and Carol had signed up for it. There was a small earthquake just 45 miles from us on the first day. The temperature has gradually decreased and by the time we reach Naha, Okinawa it will only be about 16c and likely to be raining. Last night was pretty rough. 42mph winds - a strong gale. A very rocky ship but having our sea legs now we've been fine.


Captain's Anecdotes:

P's & Q's - In the days when sailors were given rations of rum they were in either pints or quarts. If they became too rowdy the bosun would tell them to mind their pints and quarts.

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours - When sailors used to be flogged using a cat o' nine tails it was common for them to have to flog each other. The marks left by the flogging were called scratches. When the men were paired up they would say to each other 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' meaning however hard one was flogged the other would do the same.