May 11, 2007 Bermuda

So we're in Bermuda. Not a planned stop over ... in fact I was dead set against coming here.
Too expensive. Herb , our router, had other ideas. "You want to die or just get real sick,
the choice is yours". We chose the obvious and headed south east instead of north east and
managed to avoid the first major tropical named storm of 2007. One boat has not been heard
from ... she crossed a location 24 hours after we did ... one day ... life and death. Her
EPIRB stopped after 30 hours ... nothing has been found. So much for the safety gear we
carry ...I hope it works better for us. The planned book entitled Sailing across the Atlantic
will be renamed. Big stroke across the word Sailing and substitute Motoring. We have had the
motor running for most of the trip from Charleston to Bermuda. When you are faced with 10 to
18 foot seas, 15 knots of wind and on a close reach the only way to gain any headway is to
motorsail. Our sails have behaved, the motor has been our golden steed and we have made
progress. If we have to motor to the Azores I am going to be really pissed-off. I bought
a sailboat not a bloody motor sailor. Bermuda ... folks on Bermuda Radio are very professional,
Customs folks were very nice except they decided my flair gun was a dangerous weapon and put
it in a safe. Now suppose I have an emergency that requires use of flares ... must be an
example of British humour. We have not been ashore since we arrived due to the number of
mechanical failures that occurred on route ... the number of things that find a way to leak
after being bashed about is incredible. I'll let you know about terra-firma next message
... brian

May 2,2007

On our way. Currently 36 miles from the shoreline and about 80 feet from the bottom.
Having a great sail. We were in Charleston for a number of days but somehow managed not
to see any touristy attractions. I guess that's one way to save money but I'll try and
schedule some for our next stop over. Onward to the Azores ... only 18 days away. ... brian

May 2,2007

On our way. Currently 36 miles from the shoreline and about 80 feet from the bottom.
Having a great sail. We were in Charleston for a number of days but somehow managed not
to see any touristy attractions. I guess that's one way to save money but I'll try and
schedule some for our next stop over. Onward to the Azores ... only 18 days away. ... brian