Since reaching port, I have had difficulty in settling into a routine and concentrating.  I’ve started watching a couple of movies and  stopped because they seemed silly, and I haven’t been able to get into what is probably another fine book by J. Christopher Herald, LOVE IN FIVE TEMPERAMENTS, despite its intriguing title. 

        But last night I watched a movie that captured me from the first moment and only got better.  I knew that THE SEA INSIDE is about a quadriplegic and had put off watching it because I thought it would be depressing, despite outstanding reviews.  It wasn’t.  It is in fact one of the best movies I have ever seen.  Perfect in that there is nothing I would change or criticize.   In its perfection it reminds me of Jane Campion’s THE PIANO.

        The main character is played by Javier Bardem, whom I first saw as I expect did most outside of Spain in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.  I have heard him described as a ‘genius’ actor.  Long ago I understood that ‘genius’ has no meaning beyond being an expression of high praise.  It is now even used about athletes.  Genius or not, Javier Bardem is as great an actor as I can think of with an enormous range from the killer in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN to the invalid in THE SEA INSIDE.

        As good as Bardem is, he is no better than the rest of the cast or the director, Alejandro Amenabar.

        THE SEA INSIDE won the Oscar for the best foreign film of 2004.

The Oscar for best film that year went to MILLION DOLLAR BABY, which was good.  But I think THE SEA INSIDE is better.

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        No one is going to complain that the met service got yesterday’s storm wrong.   Although the clouds remained, wind and rain stopped late yesterday afternoon, and I rowed ashore to shower and buy tonic, bread, sliced ham and hummus for dinner.

        Today dawned clear with light wind.  I rowed in around 11:00.  Walked up to the top of the first hill. 

Took this photo on the way back down.  Showered.  Bought diesel oil and a tape measure to replace the one I couldn’t save from my wet tool kit, had another excellent lunch--this time Thai fish cakes--at the Opua Cafe beneath the marina office, and rowed back out, where I have just completed a messy oil change.

        I have changed the Yanmar’s oil without making a mess, but not today.

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        THE HAWKE OF TUONELA is in the center of the water in the top photo.