Opua: rain on deck
Opua: rain on deck
Rain on deck is like snow outside a window. The elements are there, close at hand--literally so in THE HAWKE OF TUONELA’s v-berth where I can touch the overhead with my fingertips while lying down--yet not felt. One of the things I like about living on a boat is how thin the layer is between me and the outside world. So long as that layer doesn’t leak.
For the second week in a row I powered from my mooring to Ashby’s Boat Yard dock so the rigger can go up the mast on Monday. I came early before a forecast gale, which so far has not be as severe as predicted.
Rain pattering on the deck three feet above my head woke me at 4:00 a.m. and intermittantly thereafter. I dozed on and off warm and dry beneath the covers until 6:30. Moderate rain continues in mid-morning, but there has not been anything like gale force wind yet. It is possible that I won’t step ashore today, even though I could reach land with steps rather than oars. I don’t need anything and via wireless Internet and Slingbox I can watch college football. Makes it feel like Saturday, when of course it is already Sunday on this side of the Dateline.
New Zealand does not care about NCAA football. The big sporting news here is the Rugby World Cup, which is held every four years, and based on the size of the television audience is the third biggest sporting event in the world, after soccer/football’s World Cup and the Olympics. I don’t doubt this, but it surprises me a little becaue Rugby isn’t played seriously in any of the world’s most populous countries. New Zealand and South Africa are the favorites. The national interest here cannot be overstated. The country will come to a complete stop if they make the finals. And will be devasted if they don’t win.
----------
The photo shows dinners for three months. Actually 12 weeks. One month is spread on the cabin sole. Two are already in the plastic trash bags.
Here and at sea I generally eat freeze dry meals, as in the U.S. during Carol’s work week we generally eat Lean Cuisines.
A New Zealand firm, Backcountry Cuisine, is my overall favorite in the world. I am one of their biggest customers. Fourteen different meals times two in a plastic bag equals one month.
The menu is:
Beef and Pasta Hotpot
Classic Beef Curry
Beef Teriyaki
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Bobotjie
Sweet and Sour Lamb
Lamb Fettuccine
Moroccan Lamb
Roast Lamb and Vegetables
Thai Chicken Curry
Chicken tikka Masala
Pasta Vegetariano
Nasi Goreng
Roast Chicken
Some of these names are rather fanciful. Nasi Goreng tastes all right, but nothing like the dish you get in Indonesia. And many of these are improved by adding box wine. Red to Beef Hotpot, Spaghetti Bolognaise, and Pasta Vegetariano; white to Lamb Fettuccine.
No one knew I was a gourmet chef.
Sunday, September 9, 2007