Day 338, Year 5 Pink Quartz Agates
Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Weather: Sunny, Clear Day; Winds NW
Location: Baramahamay Bay (Honey River), NW Madagascar
The big find of the day was a beach with beautiful little pink quartz agates. After a morning of cleaning the boat waterline and the area around the tail pipe that always has a little black from exhaust fumes around it, doing more computer spreadsheet planning for our trip down the coast of Madagascar, and finishing the naming of the last underwater photos, we took off in the dinghy for an explore. We picked up Ed and Lynne and went over to the honey village. We left the dinghy there and walked along the beach out toward the point at the entrance to the bay. It was low tide so we were able to walk most of the way to the point. All along the way there were the most beautiful little pink quartz agates. I had everyone collecting them for me. Lynne asked what I was going to do with them and I had to respond by saying that I have no idea. But I’m sure I’ll find some sort of decorative use for them. Or maybe grandchildren can just use them to sort. Whatever, I just had to take this little bit of Madagascar with me. We also saw some beautiful sandstone rocks along the shore that were partly eroded in the most unusual patterns.
Tomorrow we have a long sailing day down to Nosy Lava. We will up anchor at 5:00 am and be on our way. On our way we will pass Nosy Valiha where there is a cell tower. If it is late enough in the day, we’ll try to call our daughter Heather to wish her a happy birthday. As we walked this afternoon, Lynne and I talked about this cruising season being the toughest either of us has had in terms of not being able to go home to see family. And it really is hard. We are seeing fantastic things and meeting wonderful people, but there is no place like home. And we have nine more months before we will be home. Sigh. Deep breathe. I’m sure the 10,000 miles of sailing we have to do between now and then will take much of the time, but if we had wings, we’d certainly be flying home between now and then to see family and friends.
Tonight we watched a gorgeous sunset. Ed and Lynne swear they saw the green flash last night, but there was no green flash tonight. The sun looked like it was on fire as it set, so that was good enough without the flash.
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| 100929 Day 338 Baramahamay Bay, Madagascar–Beach Walk |
Since I’m not cruising, nor any closer to it, I pondered the “no place like home” thoughts and am wondering about the psychology? Length of time, days being the same with similar routines, closer to the end of your circumnavigation than the beginning, children with grandchildren and being connected with family? With my two in college and having had the fortunate work situation to eat dinner nearly once a week with my oldest for the last 7 years, I’m already treasuring this last year of one on one time with her as she starts interviewing for residency spots around the country. Hmm, do we really want to go so far from home?
Maintenance question: Since you are experienced and have met cruisers from around the world, what method/brushes/cleaners have you found best/safest for your new hull finish to clean the exhaust soot and your waterline?