on the sea again

Were sailing for the Azores either tonight or tomorrow. Ive really enjoyed being in Bermuda for a few days, but it feels like the right time to move on.
Today for a last lunch on land, I had a baked chicken and a quart of Dunkleys chocolate milk. I drank another half gallon of milk last night in one sitting. Im trying to make myself sick of milk so that I dont cave it while Im on the boat. So far, its not working. But Ive still got another half gallon on My Star.
Weve been having some trouble with Parallel Windows and Virtual PC, trying to get the PC based program to work that allows us to e-mail through our HF radio. If we can get the software to work, we'll have e-mail on the boat! And if not, then this is most likely the last post for 20 or 30 days. Its supposed to take 20, but then the sail from Charleston to Bermuda was supposed to take 5-7 and took 10 with a few storms and days spent motoring without wind. Im telling myself 30, to cut down on chances of rising insanity when we dont make it after 20 days.
-Over and out-

macros and graveyards

Couple o churchyard macros



















Some parts of gravestones that I liked.



































The ants here dont bite. Not yet at least.














My nose has been in all the flowers.

Green!

Im trying to cultivate my fashion sense while Im here. Ill be bringing back a few pairs of these socks for sure. Makes me wish I wasnt allergic to shellfish..
King in his castle! I was tempted to re-create the cabana hotel photo, but dont have the disheveled look in full force yet.
Finally some open greenery to hide out in! Checking out the green flashless sunset. It seems like everywhere I walk the smell of the local flowers overwhelms me. Or it could be that my nose is just thankful for any smell other than 10 days of 4 guys without a shower all crammed into a TINY HOT sailboat cabin. None of us really noticed anything smelly...and that bothered us.

The Coast is gorgeous, really rocky in some areas, and beautiful white sand with a hint of pink from the coral in other areas. Astro turf beaches?
Hoping for the elusive green flash. While watching a sunset on an ocean horizon, if the conditions are just right a brilliant green flash can happen for a few seconds just at the moment that the sun dips out of sight. I havent seen one yet, but expect one before this trip is over!
Clear cool waters are always inviting for a snorkel or swim
Bermuda grass in Bermuda. heh.

Solid Ground

When we made it to customs in the morning we were greeted by an old man on a moped. He had a thick British accent and long hairs coming out of the front of his nose.I asked him where his favorite place to eat was (I think 90% of my talk for the past few days had been about tacos, ice cream sandwiches, and fried chicken) and he said "Mulligans". We found it at the top of the hill after much walking and had our first food that wasnt canned chicken, canned tuna, instant oatmeal or PB&J's. David, Kenny and I all go the special-I cant remember what type of fish, salad (tomatoes were another craving) and black eyed peas with rice and a side of fries. It was amazing, gone in 5 minutes or so, and I would have had another plate if Bermuda wasnt one of the most expensive places Ive been. We had $32 in tea alone for our table..
The breeze and view was worth the price though.


Dunkleys chocolate milk. Weve spent alot of time together, and know each other well. Ive downed at least two gallons since arrival, heh.

The Three Sailing Stooges in the town hall cabinet.



I found a few things that were more fun to explore than endless swells...




The first sight of land after 10 days. It normally only takes 5-7, but we hit a few spells of no wind and had to motor along at 2-3knots, and two or three storms that moved us around very quickly, just not in the right direction, ha. I was cold and wet and ready to try out my land legs, but we wouldnt get into port until after midnight, and then we had to stay in quarantine until we could go through customs the next morning. I was giddy and jumping up and down when I first saw land after only 10 days. Theres an 85% chance that I'll explode when we have first sight of the Azores.


The cold rainy afternoon turned into a beautiful sunset, there was even a rainbow on the other side.
















The Linda Lee, for Jeff and Linda.






The first sight of St.Georges the next morning. Flowers are everywhere, and every step fills you with their scent. Everything is intense and appreciated, Im reminded of the marathon runner who, when asked why he ran marathons, replied "Because it feels so good to stop running."


Right now I feel the same way about sailing!

mooda

Some days it was like a bathtub and all we could do was motor.

The awful Genoa that was up during the storm, thankfully without the pole. Here weve got it on the spreader to take advantage of every wisp of wind.

We came across a storm, though not always through one, almost every other day. There was a waterspout in this one.

The worst storm we had. Were right in the middle of it- each ring is 4 miles.

About 2 or 3 hours into it, im staring at the Genoa praying that it tears to shreds so that we can dive down below, ha. Its a 30 year old sail and it held strongly, pulling is through the waves like a train. The storm lasted about 4 hours, sometimes with the first saftey line on both sides underwater as we plowed through the waves. All I heard out of David for a few hours was a constant grunt as he pulled on the tiller handle with everything he had. Every so often a wave would crash into the cockpit. I was able to get the mainsail down, but couldnt get up to the Genoa as the bowsprit was diving well under the waves often. Kenny handed us lifejackets with harnesses and EPERBS, then we (David and I) tied ourselves into the cockpit to ride it out. I would rather have been in the cockpit than down below where Mike and Kenny were getting thrown all over. Kenny was tossed into a brass porthole wingnut that gave him a deep cut to his forehead. It covered his face in blood and he made it into the bathroom to wash it off. Were still finding blood tracked all over the boat. He could have used a few stitches for sure, but he wouldnt let me sew him up with the suture my dad gave me. I was pretty dissapointed at that.

Just a few minutes before the beverly hillbillies set sail for bermuda. We cleaned up on the way, which included deflating our dinghy. When you have no life raft ("IF we had a liferaft and needed
one it would just blow away when we inflated it anyway"-David) its not the happiest moment of
your life- deflating your dinghy a hundred miles off the coast.

Baking bread- thanks for the know how mom!

My first loaves. Ive been having some trouble getting them to rise as high as I would like them to. Im trying to get a softer texture.

Flying fish are everywhere. Heres a small one that flew into the cockpit during the night. Thats Davids hand with the wedding ring in case any ladies are wondering.

Smooth seas and Kenny on watch. He flew home from Bermuda, leaving David, his dad Mike, and me. My favorite invention in the world is now the Aries windvane. It does most of the steering for us and is a sanity saver.

Bermuda

Got into a pretty intense storm 400 miles off of Charleston. It really made me more confident in the boat. Ill have some pictures up soon.

We made it to Bermuda Saturday about 12AM. Bermuda is beautiful, its really surprised me. Ive got hundreds of pictures, and was in the process of posting when my camera battery died. Mother of all frustrations.

Im out of internet time and will try and get back on before we leave to post some pics.

Charleston

after US Airways showing me all their tricks in the airport in Charlotte, NC, I finally made it to Charleston. I havent been here in something like 15 years and my memories didnt serve it justice. I like Charleston much better than New Orleans.
Hopefully we'll be leaving on Tuesday, but theres alot of work to be done on the boat. Today I'll be putting on the new anchor chain, all 450 pounds of it, and finishing up the wiring on the water maker.

Ive got a few pics from New Orleans that I'll try and put up later tonight. It may end up being an all nighter work night though, so dont hold your breath!

Barn

Ive only spent 3 nights in my new barn pad. Its hard to leave. Im glad that dad decided to alternate the light and dark woods above my bed. I counted the pattern all last night while I couldnt sleep.

Times running out!

I started this blog for my trans-atlantic sail from Charleston to England starting June 10th. I'll be posting pictures and updates as often as I can.