Wednesday 30 March 1988, Koei Maru 30.
Bread – will I ever be able to look another piece of white bread in the face again and say ‘I want you’ ? It seems unlikely.
Since telling Nananuma (the ship’s cook) that I liked bread and butter, he has produced this stale stack for me each breakfast of up to ten thick slices. It is not only stale, but tastes of the plastic it has been kept in.
He thinks he is doing me a kindness by this service, for which reason I oblige him by eating what I can and taking what is left to my cabin, where, I am sorry to say, having festered in my fridge for a couple of days, it is destined for the waste disposal unit which is my toilet. It is slowly driving me bonkers and I feel that somebody, somewhere is watching me do this! Am I guilty?
I saw a beautiful flock of white birds, their reversed silhouettes emphasised by the black sky background and the bright lights of the ship shining towards them. I took unsuccessful photographs. They looked heron-like or egret-like and tried to roost a while on the masts, but were unable to remain long due to the winds forcing over the bow. They had yellow beaks and long black legs with large feet. What were they doing here? (I found out some time later that they get blown off course from the mainland and probably perish at sea.)
Thursday 31 March 1988, Koei Maru 30
At last March is almost over – roll on April, May, June, so that I may be home again.
The sea has come up in a terrible fury, but is still nowhere near as bad as I am sure it can become. I think fishing may be abandoned in this weather, although I am not sure. It will certainly be affected. Good for the squid I say. I cannot help thinking myself that the season ought not to start until April, to enable all those immature females the chance of at least producing and spawning eggs.
Friday 1 April 1988, Koei Maru 30.
So, I can’t play any tricks on anybody – but I might be able to do something in a letter or two. Yesterday was maddening – no fishing last night and passing the time was even more difficult than usual. I watched ‘Rocky 2’ – wow, some film! And also two really shitty Japanese films, both looked like they were made on Super 8 or something like that.
I can’t remember when I last ate – eating times were all up the spout yesterday! I must keep up with my letters.
Only another ten days or so on board and then aaah land ho!
The crew are much better for their enforced day off – no longer do they walk about like zombies.
Mr Chiba (the fishing master) has had a haircut (it was short to start with)
Abe radar has had a shave. They have all slept well and look refreshed.
All is much calmer, but we still roll -like right now for example. Wrote to Jazz and Michael.
Saturday 2 April 1988, Koei Maru 30.
A day just like any other passed by. This is a maelstrom of tedium. I want to go home.
Natural adventures 