I only recall being seasick once in twenty years,and strangely enough that was in Biscay bound from Le Havre to Cape Town on my very first trip. Since then,despite sometimes being in some rough weather and sailing on some ships with not very comfortable seaway characteristics nothing.
I think that although it can certainly be to do with your sense of motion and balance,in many cases it is psychological.
That first time,for me,it was a building feeling of expectation of traversing Biscay in deteriorating weather.I don't think it was particularly bad,perhaps a westerly Force 6 or 7 and a moderate swell,but it was my first trip to sea,and in wide-eyed wonderment you automatically can't take your eyes off the sea ("don't look at it ! "you're told,but you can't really not do it can you,it's bloody everywhere,the ship ploughing into the rollers and chucking up spray as high as the mast,while learning to keep your balance by anticipating each roll ,in a Bollocky Bill the Sailor fashion...
So psychological then I feel regarding Biscay. It's no worse than the sea and weather in many locations.
Once I was trying to impress a new girlfriend with my Bollocky Bill escapades.I only had to mention the dreaded word 'Biscay' once ,whilst building myself up to a monumental tale of 100 foot waves,the ship rolling over twice,the cook going overboard then being flung back onto deck 20 minutes later,etc.etc.- .As I say she only had to hear the word Biscay before she suddenly turned green and made a dash for the Ladies.
Mind you that might have been the chicken biriyani we'd scoffed earlier and the half dozen vodka and cokes she'd since tipped down her throstle...
I wasn't lucky that night,and I heard a few years later she'd gone on to marry a chartered accountant.
Now, I wonder what exciting tales he told her.....
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Gulliver