From the Helm – Thursday, December 24, 2009

11 AM – Finally home aboard the AMOR/Beatriz…  It’s been several days getting here – It’s good to be home…  The day is cloudy and muggy.  Maybe the rains will come and cool things down a bit. 

All seems to be in order for sail.  Still having a rotation in the crew members.  Some can go, and then they can’t go.  So, we’ll just ride the deal out till everybody settles.  We’ll have a good team in the end, when we need them to get underway.

- When we arrive in Parintins, Edno and Edinelson will be waiting for us to guide the Beatriz through the sandbars and rocks on the Trombetas River.  Even though the river system is rising about 8 inches a day, it’s still low enough to get you in to trouble if you don’t know it well.  At these low levels, sometimes you get in trouble even if you do know the rivers well…

- So, here I sit.  A good cup of coffee within reach.  Our crew has gone home for Christmas.  Vessel tenders are cruising all around, taking their staff home and bringing in “unlucky” reliefs for the weekend.  By late tonight, everyone going home will be home and there will scarcely be a ripple in the water.  Carlinho is next door, within earshot of the generators.  What a rare occasion to have the Beatriz all to my self.  I could get used to this…

As of yet, I have no particular plan for tomorrow.  Anderson and I have been looking for some food baskets to pass out downtown in the morning but, haven’t been able to find any as of yet.  I’m sure something will come up that will be just what we need to be doing.  Just have to wait and see.  There are a lot of hours between now and in the morning.  Something will come up, for sure.

6:45 PM – I guess I’ll shut down for awhile.  The crew finally came together about an hour ago.  For now, we are set to travel.

Anderson is here.  The cell phone system has been out since some lighting flashed around several hours ago.  It’s really good to be aboard.  A shower and some light reading are in order.  The generator should “hum” me to sleep after awhile.  It’s truly good to be here right now.  Thank You, Lord, for everything.