A steel grey day

The WOWers have been delighting in this year's long season. In spite of threatening showers and wind we continue to go out. The fearless dozen were richly rewarded for it too. There was something about the dark steel grey color of the rippled water, the reflected clouds overhead, the warmth yet briskness of the wind. It made one feel as though something dramatic was going to happen. We could feel the weather turning. We pushed ourselves a little harder with power strokes so we could make it around the new ship in the bay and back before the spell broke.

Last week we went around Isabella, a UK ship. That ship is now on her way to Busan (Korea). This week's goal was to make it around the Transpacific ship called Valletta. The bright red and blue ship with white trim was built in 2012. She is from Malta (a little island off southern Italy in the Mediterranean Sea). A lovely spot no doubt. It is her bulbous nose that fascinates us. Apparently the protrusion helps reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency by modifying the water as it flows around the hull. That makes perfect sense. You only need think of a voluptuous woman walking down the street. How many times have you seen the crowds part? When sitting so close it is hard not to be in awe of the size and scope of this immense cargo ship.

Under closer inspection there, on the bow we saw some rusting. Oh, boy, somebody probably got in trouble for scraping her bow. They would have in our boat that is for sure! Then we noticed that long dark scratch. It looked like something... something familiar. Doesn't it look like our boat? Sort of, right?

 

We pause and look out - there on the horizon are more two ships coming into port.

 

 

See the Malta shipping flag, a symbol with lots of energy - hot air or wind or propeller? 

 

 

Of course, any time you can see the mountain it is a good day.

Even if you have to use your imagination to complete the whole image.