Camilla Ransom
Today started off ridiculously early. We’ve been looking into alternatives to the traditional pyrotechnic flares (the type which killed Billy Zane in Dead Calm), mainly because having explosives on boats is increasingly being seen as a bad idea. Not necessarily because they could explode with no warning, but because they’re complex to handle especially when under extreme pressure, as in a mayday situation. There are different types (rocket, hand-held etc) which fire differently too; some ignite from the top, some from the bottom so their instructions need reading carefully. Many also burn roasting hot so gloves are mandatory. You get the idea. In fact when we were training for the Fastnet we had the opportunity to set a few off. They’re pretty scary.
Earlier this week I read that electronic LED flares have become a solid alternative to their handheld predecessors so we found a brand we liked (the MK3 Odeo Flare) and located their supplier in Barcelona. I arranged with Steve to go to their office in Castelldefels, about an hour from the marina by train. As luck would have it he was booked on a ferry to Mallorca from Barcelona so we could meet at the terminal near Las Ramblas, much easier. The only downside was I needed to be there at 0630, which meant getting a 0530 metro. ?
Bright and early I set off. Especially in this hot weather the time before sunrise is an awesome time of day, and I started to wonder why I don’t get up earlier more often? I text Steve to let him know I was nearby and he replied, “Through the fence you’ll see the cars waiting for the ferry. I’m the 4th one back. We can do the exchange through the fence”. Slightly hesitant as to how this would work out, I peered through the metal railings and lo and behold, there he was. We shook hands through the bars and then he gave me a demo of how the flare works. The thing is very bright and eye-catching (it’s kind of its purpose) so by now we were getting some very quizzical looks from the other nearby passengers. These intensified when he passed me a bottle of clear liquid with a skull on the side (diesel bug antidote), and I handed him a stack of money. It was one of the oddest commerce experiences I’ve had so far. Anyhow, we were both happy and on with our days we went.
I decided to walk along the beach and catch the metro from near our old apartment. It’s about a 45 minute walk which I was expecting to be peaceful and quiet. I was wrong. The route takes you past the beach clubs of Barcelona which at 07:00 are ridding themselves of their final few inebriated punters. It’s quite a job to make it past the loud, weaving and in some cases puking teenagers as they resemble something out of Michael Jackson’s Thriller staggering towards the beach. The beach is also a very sorry sight at that time of day as it’s covered with rubbish. The City of Barcelona do a super job of clearing up (an hour later you’d never know it’d been trashed) but it made me wonder how we’ll ever prevent drunks leaving a trail of devastation in their wake?
Tom meanwhile valiantly carried on with the chartplotter installation. We went to the boatyard to rummage around in the bins to find a piece of wood onto which he could attach the gadgets before nailing that to the inside cabin wall. Doesn’t he look like a proud kid entering his contraption into a science competition? He deserves to win first price doesn’t he! We’re 85% of the way through so a few more hours and he’ll be finished.
We just had a lovely evening with Bartek and Kasia. Nothing beats an evening on the boat having a few drinks with this awesome pair.
