Monday 21 February 2011 – Day 4

0705 – In just a few days, we’ve settled into a routine. I wake up at 2315, check what’s going on in the bridge, and then head to the galley with my fellow observer for my supper. We catch up on the past 8 hours where I’ve been sleeping, and bid each other good night. Now… my fun begins!

At night, between loads, there is no observing to do, (too dark to spot marine life at sea) so for some time, I’m free to do what I want (within reason!). If I’m feeling lazy, I’ll curl up on the galley sofa and watch TV, read, or look at magazines. If I’m feeling more energetic I’ll head below deck and do laundry or kill time in the ‘gym’.

What we call a ‘gym’ is really a machinery room with a semi-functional Bowflex, free weights, a bench press and – to my delight – a punching bag. Exercising on a ship is somewhat challenging… the boxing bag has an extra swing to it and doing yoga (especially those one-legged poses) seems to require twice the concentration when the boats a-rocking!

In my late night explorations, I also found the ‘great white freezer’. With an assortment of frozen pizza, fries, burritos and other such goodies I was fairly pleased. But when I arrived the next night, and found the freezer half-empty, I was even more delighted! I noticed something familiar peeking out from the deep depths of one corner… Oh, yes! I’ve found it now, folks, I found the buried treasure this time… eight whole two-pint cartons of Ben n Jerry’s ice cream!

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