Oldies On Tour

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W

The Start Line
St. Georges, Bermuda

Up and at ’em by 0700hrs,last shower for a few days, a nice cup of tea qnd then I prepared a Lasagne for to-days main meal.

By 0830 we started to secure the boat, you know, those last mniute things that can only be done at the last thing. I went over th the Harbour Master’s office to pay for the last two nights moorings, Grainne shot ouyt to buy an alarm clock!!!! Andrew topped up his “fag” stock and armed with the latest weather forecast, Chris completed his navigation and route.

We were called off the dock and accross the lagoon to the dingy club at around 1030 hrs and filled up both main tanks and several plastic jerry cans. Kir of Brixham came along side us as well so they also filled up.

Eventually we were off the dock by 1150 but fortunatly the start had been posphoned ’till 1215 due to the Hamilton Ferry arrival. Because we were late off the dock and pushed to get back behind the start line in time the start time was again pushed back to 1230. The hamilton ferry this time was due to leave St Georges!

Anyway, it all worked out in the end when at 1230 the gun went off and 21 boats started accro0ss the line in St Georges Harbour (the lagoon) and headed straight for the town cut to get out to sea. This cut can accomodate 1 medium sized bulk carrier and then the two sides of the ship are nearly touching both sides of the rocks, so, for sure, 21 boats were ot going to get through. Fortunatly though there was a clean start, in the run down to the cut and with the different speeds, we filtered through withou any misshap; wow!

Now we ALL had to follow the channel markers to get away. The coral around Bermuda stretches for miles and there are only certain channels with sufficient draft for yachts. For those who know it, Bembridge springs to mind, albiet a grander scale.

At last away from the channel markers we were
on our own and away surrounded by 20 other boats!

Approx 15 knots of wind on a broad reach and we were travelling between 7 and 8 knots, so for the time being, we are travelling the circle line,shortage route but wether we will be holding this will depend entirely on the wind available in the next few days. Some boats seem to have decided to go further north before turning east, so all to play for as they say!!!

Lasagne for a late lunch/early dinner with salad followed with some over-cooked choc chip biscuits.

Grainne is a little overawed by boat and everything so haven’t gone forward with the 4 watch cycle. We will carry on with the 3 watch cycle for the first 3 days and Grainne will spend a day attached to each of us. Hopefully after this she will be able to stand her watch. She has not been helped by suffering with sea sickness and of course has just finished a grulling Masters Degree course so she has basically wilted!

Wind ket blowing steadely during the night so we made good progress but by midnight we coulonly see one other yacht clearly, even though a clear night with good moon cover.

A very good and satisfying day indeed.

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W

St. Georges, Bermuda

Up reasonably early as we had to do the last of the provisioning, so off I todled to the local rip off supermarket, well that’s a little unfair, they are all VERY expensive. Filled two carts a little over $500 but at least they delivered to the boat. This saved us a lot of effort.

Andrew got into the generator and found a wire that was loose and had burnt out, so a new terminal was fitted and away she went. Ran it fo some time and it did not faulter I qam pleased tosay.

Late after no0onb was busy for me asSkipper. First we had the Skippers briefing, Chris accompanied me to that one. This was followed by clearing out with customs aqnd imigration and lastly I had to present passports and sign a declaration about who was on board for trip. hen all this was completed I stayed atthe dingy club ( where the ARC Rally control was situated) and waited for the rest of my crew to arrive. There wqs a farewell Bar B Q, so a good timewas had by all

Back to0 the boat for about 2230minimal to drink as we have the big day tomorrow. The start by the way is going to be in the lagoon immediatly followed by “Town Cut” the narrow channelout to the sea. 27 of us converging into a narrow space, should make for some interesting pictures!

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W

St. Georges, Bermuda

To day was the day. Andrew & I set about the head in the master en suite. I had bought a length whilst in Hamilton so into the dark and grimey, below wter mark, bilges to replace the discharge pipe. You will recall a few days ago I said it wasn’t working and though this was not an unexpected surprise I was shocked at how quickly behind the other heads, this came.

After a lot of cursing etc we Managed to pull the new pipe through. Like the last time we did it, we atached the old pipe to the new pipe and pulled!! To be fair it came through rather easier han we had thought it might and certainly easier than the the other head, Jeff & I tackled. Good, connected everything up and allwas well.

We both dived into shower, as you can imagine we were to say the least a little smelly!

It was now generator time,started up OK, ran for a about an hour then though the enginewas still running away we didn’t have any power coming onto the boat. All the obvious things were checked but to no avail swo switchede off and decided to look mat it tomorrow as we were out to dinner.

We had arranged to have dinner wih the crew of another yacht, “Kir of Brixham” so met up around 1900 hrs in, what has become our local, the White Horse. Had a super evening then back to the boat. A rather un-eventfull day!

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W

St. Georger, Bermuda

Lay in for all this morning followed by a day of relaxation, well this morning checking anway.

Chris set about checking battery levels and securing them down whilst Andrew & I set about replacing the discharge pipe from the rear heads. a dirty job but necessary.

A shower followed and then we dingy’ed accross the bay to the yacht club for an evening of Rum Tasting, fish & chip supper and prize giving.

Grainne, our new memberof of crew arrived today so we are now fully manned and ready to go .

A super night was had by all and though we didn’t win any major prizes we did win the “Random Prize”!!

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W
St. Georger, Bermuda

Woke up to a cup of tea delivered to my bunk by the crew followed by a rendetion of “Happy Birthday” Cards followed and a bottle of “Tio Pepe” was given to me by the crew, wonderfull, especially as I had run out of Sherrry and Sunday was looming,”Wot No Sherry!” What good lads.

I had a call asking me to touch base with ARC Rally Control on channel 77 on VHF. I called in and next thing I heard was Rally Control played over the whole network, “Happy Birthday”

I was then taken out to lunch by Andrew & Chris, very nice and kind of them.. We had to be back to the boat by 1530as we had the crew of “Kir of Brixham” joining us for BBC. Todays BBC was Bond, (naturally) Birthday Cake, we watched Goldfinger. They had bought me a cake and some candles to go with it.

After they had gone, we had a rest befoire we met a crowd at the White Horse, (Our Local). Nick & Lyall also joind us, a great evening followed a great day, thank you all for making my day memorable.

Rolled into bed around mid night and slept well.

On the whole a quiet day on Anam Cara

Position @1200 UTC

32⁰ 22.73 N 64⁰ 40.80 W
St. Georger, Bermuda

Mushroom and Cheese Omlettes for breakfast, thank you Andrew, very nice.

Today we set about a number of jobs that need doing but to complete we need parts so I toddled off to Hamilton, (the capital) by bus as thats where the only two chandleries are on this island. I the all important pipe for the outlet side of the rear head but I couldnd’t get a new handle for the forward cabin hatch.I will change it with one on the rear cabin hatch, that way we can keep out the water. The rear hatch will be protected by the upside dingy that will be mounted on the coach roof.

I then spent about 3 hrs tramping the various streets and industrial estates looking for a new radiator cap, I went up hill and down dale,I must have walked a good 10 miles, stillit ws worth itas must have found the one and only on the Island!

Ferry back to St Georges and then a lift on the back of Lyall’s scooter to the Dingy club where the ARC was having a “do” tonight, “rum twizzlers” and snacks, very nice.

A slow visit to the white horse for a few more Gin & Tonics and back to Anam Cara and bed.