All at sea. Literally and metaphorically. Ocean as far as the eye can see. Which is not that far given the curvature of the earth, some might say, in relative terms, given the vast ocean expanse. In this case, the Coral Sea east of Queensland. Weather is about 24 degrees. Wind about 20 knots. Cruising speed about 17 knots. Only small swell. Most comfortable. Apparently not too far from the Great Barrier Reef to the west, with sea depth reported to be 250m at midday.

As for the metaphor. Mobile phones are disconnected, so no Internet and my so-called smart watch has the same confused time as my mobile. Perhaps they have defaulted to GMT as they lost their land-based signal. Will experiment with the smart watch in the gym and see where it thinks I am.  Nevertheless, it is both most enjoyable as well as slightly disorientating to be free of technology, and free of obligations. Certainly, many first world ‘problems’ there. Importantly, useful to honour our privilege and be joyful and grateful accordingly. Most people on-board appear to be too, although being blasé can be an incidental hazard if we lose our perspective. Hopefully not.

Gazing overboard too from our privileged position on our port-facing balcony, especially at night, but also during the day, there is a feeling of some unease as one contemplates the horror of others who were perhaps lost at sea, stuck in the ocean, all alone. While I sense Bowlby’s concept of a ‘secure base’, being the wonderful cruise-ship we are sailing on, the thought of becoming ‘un-attached’ is quite frightening. There is a profound and unsettling gut feeling I experience as I consider such possibilities. To fall into such an ocean, I would be like an alien in another world, unlikely to survive for long. And so, the ocean is such a new frontier for most of us, certainly me. Pleased to cruise upon it but from the safe environs of what truly is a wonderful piece of modern engineering, replicated many times over now, but in the interests of not being complacent, it is wonderful to remain in awe. Of the ocean, and the ship that sails it.

Meanwhile, not all of us are all at sea, or outside our comfort zone. We also observed some soaring gulls, floating on the breeze and searching for lunch. A good day for flying it would seem. You may see some above. Perhaps this is where they feel the safest, having adapted to their lives on and in the ocean. I assume they will fly ‘home’ to the coast before night-fall?

So much to contemplate. To chill out. To slow down. To just watch the ocean move, and sway, so consistent, relentless, impressive. Helping me to achieve some humility, knowing I am only a very small piece of the overall substance of nature. So wonderful, so calming, if you allow it to be that. Now time to be absorbed and go with the flow. Until it changes again, and we adapt and respond. Hopefully for now, as in our lives in general, we will avoid its wrath and only experience its kindness. That is the plan!