Friday 4th may
06:15am.
We are sixty miles south of our first destination – Suez - the southern entry point for the Suez Canal. Cian and Soracha are up and so is the sun. They are running round the saloon bashing each other with tea towels. I roar. And take away the tea towels. They run around the saloon bashing each other with a water bottle and a piece of fabric. I roar. They go on deck and run around bashing each other. Through the windows as I sit down low in the saloon I see bare legs running by and knickers.
“There’s another ship,” they call. I run up on deck. I just checked a few minutes ago. There is a small dark mark on the horizon. I am so impressed that my kids know the importance of seeing a new ship on the horizon and take the time to notice even when they are playing a mad game.
07:29am.
Cian, age 9, is on watch for the first time. He’s very responsible and enjoying the responsibility. He’s carefully watching the movements of the ships in the distance and making sure they don’t come any closer. He’s keeping a close eye on the ship that is behind us. He’s sitting facing the back of the boat watching it. Don’t forget to watch for ships in front too, I remind him.
We both laugh. We know the danger of ships creeping up on you from behind. But imagine if you were so busy watching the one behind that you missed a new one in front? It could happen.
9am
Trying to take more photos for the magazine - Cian filling in the boat log book. Would be a great shot if I positioned the log book carefully to cover his boxer shorts. Anyhow I can’t find the camera.
