Monday 26 October

Monday 26 October
I just simply love getting underway early in the morning before the sun rises, while it is still dark. I love the sky that time of day, even before nautical twilight. To my left is the Big Dipper. To my right is Orion, with his very distinguishable three star belt, and sword. Directly behind me is the setting full moon. And ahead are two very noticeable, very bright stars. Perhaps you have seen them in the eastern sky when you ride your bicycle to work. Venus and Jupiter one finger-width apart, and Mars two fingers below them. If you watch them day-by-day, each day they change their relationships. All the other stars stay in exactly same place. But these, plus Saturn, wander around. I can only imagine the scientific quest to find out why they do, and determine their future locations.
The eastern sky is just starting to get light. I can see clouds just above the horizon. Very light wind. The ocean is calm in the lee of the island. I just love this time of day.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II