Day 139 - Sunfish Puppies
September 24, 2009 – 8:30 am Mini Sunfish (Click To Enlarge) |
Yesterday afternoon the wind decided that it had got bored blowing from the south and would blow from the north instead, which it did within about 2 hours. This made the early evening’s rowing rather sploshy and bouncy as the ocean struggled to work out which direction the waves should be travelling in. Unfortunately overnight the wind gradually gained in strength as the wind nudged round to come more and more from the east.
Eventually we threw the sea anchor in and found we were in a light current going the wrong way. Thankfully though it wasn’t strong and at 2am we turned in for the night. Our fears about going backwards proved unfounded though as the current doubled back on itself and by the morning we had travelled in a big loop.
Today has been better and after breakfast and an early elevenses we’re back on the oars and powering along again. Just before we did though we were visited by a gang of 4 baby sunfishes. The smallest one of these odd fish we’ve seen so far has been about haf a metre in diameter and so it was strange to see them no larger than a small plate. They seemed very excited by us and spent most of the morning slapping their fins around the boat and even getting so close that I could stroke them briefly.
I could have caught them but Mick’s knowledge of sea creatures indicated that they taste dreadful so we let them be. They almost did end up 6ft under though when we started rowing and they refused to get out of the way of the oars and were tumbled out of the way as the spoon brushed past them. They seem to have more pace than the larger fish we’ve seen and are even able to keep pace with Bo as we continue our journey to the east.
40°30′38”N 142°15′37”W
Chris & Mick travelled 16.1 miles East (heading 85.3°) on day 139
They ended 1073.6 miles from San Francisco (16.0 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 3992 to 4008 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 28.8 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 37.2 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 31 Oct 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East (heading 93.6°)
See where the boat is
Sponsor Thanks
Thanks today go to Mike Hennessy who sponsored miles 4000-4003, which the boys covered around midnight last night.
Would you like to sponsor a mile?
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
10 Responses to “Day 139 - Sunfish Puppies”
Dad Martin, what is the plural of Sunfish?
If you post the answer I’ll either correct my label on the photo above (”Mini Sunfish”), or correct Chris’ spelling in the post (”4 baby sunfishes”), or possibly correct them both!
By Richard on Sep 24, 2009
Fish is the most common plural but fishes is also acceptable. So no changes required!
By Helen at Hamilton Lodge on Sep 24, 2009
Hi guys,I can see you are now planning to incorporate a new variety into you existing menu and i think it’s about time too.Guess the bolognasties needs to be spiced up as i think introducing fish into your menu would be a suppliment for the lack of meat and would do wonders for you in terms of nutrition:)
I can also see that things are slowing down a bit now as the wind has decided to play those cruel jokes again but do not fret ye shall over come…keep yer chins up and don’t worry;weyou are almost there.Take care,Kisses
By Grace Dawson on Sep 24, 2009
Good Morning Lads
Like the picture of the baby Sunfisheseses! The one nearest the camera seems to be saying something, or singing, or perhaps blowing you a kiss! It must be nice to have some company as you work away at the oars. Hope the wind settles down to blow in the right direction for you. Keeeeeeeep smiling, keeeeeeep rowing and keeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 24, 2009
Watcha lads ,the sea looks so blue an the fishes are so clear ,got the feeling it might freak me a bit in Kona on the swim they all say you can see turtles its gotta be better than the leaves at the bottom of hampton pool this morning,as usual be safe ,keep warm an love to bo.x
By jenny b on Sep 24, 2009
Well glad to hear you missed the fish with the oars, not like the ducks on the Thames, decapitated an entire flock when an 8 powered through!
Good effort in order today, please, 50 miles required for tomorrow’s blog if poss, and a spot of photography along the way would be a bonus.
Stay safe guys
By Dizzie Blonde on Sep 24, 2009
Is ‘gang’ the correct collective noun for sunfisheses?
There are 3 collective nouns for Royal Marines: 1) a ’scranbag’ of Marines;
2) a ‘flange’ of Marines;
3) a ‘foo-foo’ of Marines.
Unless of course - you know different … …
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Sep 24, 2009
no sunfish slushies for you guys then?
By Margaret on Sep 24, 2009
Sunfish Puppies !!!! you can’t beat axolotls for odd watery creatures… but as with Sunfish Puppies i wouldn’t like to eat one!
By kate on Sep 24, 2009
Sunfish(es)? Singular/Plural(s) all na correct, depending on your age(s). Hi Guys, I’ve been quiet for a while cause of anxiety after little Grace and Elizabeth surgeries. Grace finally made it home last Friday, fully recovered from the surgery, so also one year old Elizabeth. They are doing very well. We are back home and thanks to all for your kindness and words of support. Keep going, keep strong, keep safe. Lots of love from Hearts of Gold.
By Theresa Hearts of Gold on Sep 24, 2009