Of fudge, food and other things

Reports from the ship are that they had their first real gale a couple of days ago, on the 13th - or that's what I think. The satelite messages are 15c per character so we keep 'em real short, sometimes to the detriment of any sensible comprehension! The actual text reads "1st flyng fsh wale gale13th" so who knows!

However, Russell says that channel fever has set in (that's when everyone goes slightly crazy and gets grumpy) because there are only two days to go before they arrive. That said, apparently, Riley Joseph Conrad, aged 10, has been aloft (I could tell Russ's pride in this achievement), Aiden appears to be cooking fudge and young Tess has all the boys after her - must be all those showers she keeps taking. Tui's cooking has been absolutely magnificant, with some French flair thrown in by Jean Luc and Box has been making himself useful helping Russ, either doing his watch or breaking dishes during the gale. Not sure which.

To relieve the channel fever it seems that Prince Rarotonga and his cohorts have paid a visit to the ship, to judge the performance of the young people on this voyage. Anyone who has crossed the equator will have an idea of what will be going on.... No doubt I will receive a report later.

Meanwhile, I've finished the bit TRENZ show at Christchurch and Geoff and I will head back to the winterless North tonight.