Chasing Pirates

It has been another busy week onboard, but at least that makes the days go quickly. We have now been at sea for a month and we head back in to port next week to pick up a few stores. It is hard being away from the Debbie and the little ones, as I do miss them but I suppose that is life in a blue suit. Saying that however, this is definitely the best trip I have had for a long time, it is so good to be spending so much time at sea, as although it is busy it is peaceful in a strange sort of way.  I had some good news this week as well as my request for an extension was approved so I will be out here until August.  Hopefully the longer trip will help me save money so that next leave we don’t have to scrimp and save so much.

 

I am still taking the night airs of an evening. It really is peaceful under the starlit sky with just the sound of the waves.  The moon is almost full at the moment so there are lots of lovely silvery reflections on the waves. Admittedly it was a tad windy up there tonight as we are heading into wind but at least out here it is a warm wind.

 

We have had a little excitement this week as we have been where all the pirates are at the moment.  It is like something out of the films as daily convoys go past us being escorted by warships.  They look quite impressive especially on the radar where there are huge blocks of uniform contacts. We have just been loitering looking for anything suspicious and have closed in on a few contacts to see if they were pirates.  Earlier today we chased after a Dhow that was towing three skiffs, although it looked suspicious we had to assume it was just a fisherman in the end.

 

I am still managing to keep up with the exercise bike, although things have been that busy that I tend to only get down the gym every other day at the moment. I must admit I don’t think I would be able to keep it up if it hadn’t been for the kindle as exercise bikes are really dull. 30 minutes on an exercise bike feels like exercise where as when I go for a real bike ride it doesn’t feel like exercise.  I am determined to keep it up though as last year I managed to cycle up the hill at home for the first time and I want to ensure I maintain a level of fitness so that when I get home I can still cycle up the hill.

 

Well I had better get back to the grind stone and check my nightly signals to see what’s happening in the world. Then a quick read before I look the Bars.