0330 9th June.
Just getting the head around being here. When you’ve been out of touch for so long and have a big to-do list, it’s daunting to arrive somewhere like this and find that really, there’s no change – you’re still out on your own, have to find your way around, fit in with the local priorities, amend your plans on the basis, for instance, that the facilities just don’t exist. What is wonderful is that the place is full of people who both appreciate what we have achieved and are trying to do and want to help.
We have been massively helped by Dave Boisseau, who runs the Westward Fisheries plant and is himself fiendishly busy as the Pollock fishing season opens at 10.00 tomorrow – amazing stuff and the statistics are astonishing – too much for this blog, but absolutely fascinating.
We arrived in the middle of the night, Whitters pretty knackered, having pushed the boat pretty hard for the previous few days since McQ’s encounter with the boom, worked our way into the inner harbour and were met by the skipper of another Australian boat, MeridianAn imaginary great circle on the surface of the Earth, passing through North and South geographic poles. All points on the same meridian have the same longitude. Meridian can also be used to describe either half of such a circle from pole to pole Passage, who took our lines, gave us a couple of beers and a couple of apples and took himself off to bed – tried to thank him and he just said ‘It’s what you do’
The place is full of people like him. The bar at the Grand Aleutian Hotel rocks every evening with men and women here for the fishing season – frontier stuff and most of them with interesting stories. And I arrived at the boat yesterday to find 2 big bottles of Guinness in the cockpit with a note saying ‘Understand you guys could use some of this. Best wishes – F/V Camille J’ Wonderful! Thanks guys!
And Leif Hagen, a rigger who lives in Vashon, Washington, contacted us offering to build a new shroud for us, so that’s under control – he went way out of his way to help and wants to be part of the project – thanks Leif!
My brother David – the Packhorse – arrived with lots of stuff for us put together by Duncan and Speedy and PMcQ – thanks to you all, especially Duncan.
And I spent yesterday afternoon talking to Tom, the skipper of one of Westward’s fishing vessels. One of the more interesting afternoons of my life – big vessel, massively complicated equipment and electronics and Tom really on top of it all and interested and impressed by our rather trivial venture by the standards of what those guys do. He showed me where the fleet (hundreds of them!) are likely to be when we leave here, sorted me on procedures, offered me the help – and respect, which was nice – of the fleet. We’ll look after you – don’t hesitate! Again, it’s what you do!
Berri parked in what used to be the WW2 submarine base, Whitters in the hotel next door, the old WW2 HQ building. Relics of WW2 everywhere. McQ and David up the road in the altogether more palatial Grand Aleutian, Dave B has found me a bike and today will be a day of going around and getting various other fixes under way. Boat partly unpacked, still to be cleaned out, lots of stuff to be shipped home from here. The next leg will have to be much more streamlined with 3 of us aboard – nothing that doesn’t contribute to come with us, so even the sextant will be off.
Lots more over the next few days.

Here in the radio room, we’re getting geared up for the next stretch.

Today has been a very special one. My old friend Duncan, who, two years ago was terribly injured by a Pains – Wessex white handflare. With the help of many friends and real stars and the sensational singers and actors from the London School of Speech & Drama, tonight, put on a show at the open air Chiltern Shakespeare Theatre. He Produced it. What a great night. This he did to raise money for the Wexham Park Hospital Ventilator Fund. A project started by his devoted wife, Sally, who kept vigil by his bedside for 10 months (5 in intensive care). Duncan, was kept alive by one of these machines. Sally (and you don’t argue with her) decided that they needed another one. Which they do. They cost £35,000 each. And, we’re nearly there now. At the time of the accident, I was filming Duncan, demonstrating the safe use of distress signals. We were making a Yachtmaster/Day Skipper DVD for our pension funds. So captured on video was the last shot when everything went so desperately wrong. You may well be asking yourselves, ‘what’s all this got to do with Berrimilla’? Lots. Duncan had made contact with Alex, during the first Berrimilla adventure with Pete and of course like all of us, had become a fan. After the accident, Alex, made it his business to visit Duncan, in hospital on several occasions. This, from half way across the World. Lifting his will to live by miles, well nautical miles really. Because that’s what Alex does.

I was filming tonight’s event. Under normal circs, I never use a tape twice. But that which once recorded a scene of horror has been erased with singing and joy. Free at last.

We are all of us connected.

Speedy….

The world runs on fish meal! You’d better believe it. Dave Boisseau (Huge BAPTO please) our contact here has helped us enormously – really could not have done it without him. He is the manager of the Westward fish processing plant in Captains Bay, now working 24 hours/;day processing pollock. He took us around the plant this morning – those of us not too hung over, that is – more later – and the scale and complexity of the operation is stunning. Fish is pumped out of the boats at one end and fillets, surimi, fish meal, fish oil and roe come out at the other end. One small example of the complexity – fish meal contains calcium carbonate wnd it is fed to people, animals, chickens and crops. The calcium carbonate content has to be regulated so that the meal that goes to chickens is enough to ensure that the eggshells are thick enough not to break in the boxes on the supermarket shelves yet not so thick that the cookBritish explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the Royal Navy. He made 3 voyages to the Pacific Ocean, during which he achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. More on wikipedia. in the fast food diner at the truck stop on Highway 66 can still break eggs into a frying pan one handed without having to bang them too hard on the pan. And the unfortunate pollock is almost completely utilised – 27 to 30% as fillets and surimi and high value product and the rest as meal. Dave sifted through the tiny amount of actual waste product and pulled out a small hard yellow bead – the lens from a pollock’s eye – yellow from the cooking process. Surimi – google it – is white, tasteless paste that becomes almost anything you want it to be by adding flavour and colouring and texture – a surimi steak is almost indistinguishable from a real one apparently. Think crab stick, if you live in Oz. And ther smell will be in my clothes for ever!

Berri progress – seems to be under control.  Leif Hagen (another Huge BAPTO please) made us a couple of shrouds by email and on a handshake – Leif Hagen Yacht Systems and Rigging, yachtsystems@centurytel.net – and we fitted therm yesterday – eureka! And Dwayne at Harris has sorted the autopilot connectors, his oppo is working on the backup watermaker motor and they haved ordered a new AISAutomatic Identification System. An automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels. black box so we can follow the fishing boats and avoid them. McQ and Kimbra did a huge shop yesterday and we’ll load tomorrow and the plan is to leave around midday on Monday 16. There seems to be enough open water to the north to get to Nome, but we might have to watch and wait a bit if it closes again.

And last night, we were invited to dinner – thanks Sue! – and met the crew of another boat going the same way as us – no publicity, home built, Juan, Luisa, Diego from Spain and Sean from Oz – so we may have company. Significant ConsultationA regular engagement with alcohol. One might say this whole epic is a Consultation with a bit of a sail round it. See also Conservation Mode; Linear and Parallel Methods of Consultation was carried out, followed, I’m told, by some even fiercer consultationA regular engagement with alcohol. One might say this whole epic is a Consultation with a bit of a sail round it. See also Conservation Mode; Linear and Parallel Methods of Consultation back in the bar here – concoctions known as Duck Farts – kahlua at the bottom, bailey’s in the middle and crown whisky on top. Erk. Not everyone made breakfast or the fishery.

PMcQ – thanks for nice bottle. And thanks to all the gustbookers and those of you that have emailed us. I don’t know till we get out there how the communications will work from here, but it’s almost certainly iridium or nothing. Appendages crossed on that one. And a huge thank you to Speedy, who, I’m sure, is decorating his frock for the next round.

More before we go if I can get organised. Else, see ya out there where it starts to get difficult.

OK – direct bloggery from now on. Will need to be much more careful!

Still in the lobby of the Grand Illusion …about to check whether the AISAutomatic Identification System. An automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels. box has arrived.

D- pse blip the satphone if you send us anything – just like old times.

Off again – 0745 departure – rolling fog just lifting and sunlight in patches on the island and around the harbour. Stunning. Bering sea not being too unreasonable – started snarly but has abated. Discovered that you can't buy silicone spray in the supermarkets – or if you can, it's disguised – and we're having real difficulty getting the main up and down and reefed because the slides are sticking in the track. We have a tiny splash of good old Oz H4000 spray and I'll go up the mast with it perhaps tomorrow when we're a bit more settled in. Berri packet to the eyeballs – food for 3 for 90 days plus 3 sets of (reduced ) gear + 400 odd litres of fuel. Russian fuel, we discovered, mostly bought in AdakA city on Adak island (Aleutians, Alaska) and a former US naval base..

Th Plan – heading for the western end of Nunivak island then to Nome where we will wait for the ice to do whatever it wants to do around BarrowPoint Barrow or Nuvuk is a headland on the Arctic coast in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost point of all the territory of the United States. More on wikipedia and make the next decision there. I listened to a bit of a doomsayer yesterday who confirmed my own feeling that the really critical bit of all this will be getting out safely if we get as far as Devon Island. And some Norwegians who wintered their boat in Nome arrived in town and were really helpful. Spanish boat Amodina following us in about a week. Different approach – big boat, massive water and diesel tanks, no watermaker…

Huge thanks to everyone in Dutch – especially Dave B – and his fishing boat skippers who are all somewhere ahead of us near the Pribilofs. We do a couple of skeds with Dave and the boats each day.

We have crossed the busy shipping lane west of Akutan pass – new AISAutomatic Identification System. An automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels. box working well but the tendency is to rely on it instead of keeping a lookout..

Comms – will try to stay with sailmailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service. – this laptop won't log in to the sailmailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service. telnet system using iridium – dont know why – gets all the way to the server – so have two laptops going at the mo. Will try sailmailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service. for this one.

Boring blog – sorry – but at least you get one.

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radio email processed by SailMailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service.
for information see:

http://www.sailmailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service..com

Well, I told you this little banana was a finely balanced act. Seems that Murphy1- The inventor of Murphy’s Law which states (in various ways) that if something can go wrong, it will. 2- Irish beer and Herself the ExaminerShe who asks awkward questions of the crew and tests them with difficult tasks. are in collusion again. 60 miles north, we started the donkThe engine – a donkey is a beast of burden that does all the work and engines driving winches and other labour saving devices are known as donkey engines. as the wind died and things didn't seem right. McQ heard a noise, and I knew that the prop was not delivering power. We tried all the usual stuff – no vibration, so hasn't shed a blade, reverse to unwind the ExaminerShe who asks awkward questions of the crew and tests them with difficult tasks.'s errant stocking, ahead again and it seemed to be ok. Then not ok. Stern gland leaking a lot of water. Still nothing obvious, but there did seem to be some extra vibration. Anyway, no choice really – we're heading back to Dutch, dead into wind in cold misty rain at a bout 3 knots so 16 hours or so to go.

You're all the first to know. Could be a big one, could be just a bit of kelpTypes of brown algae, which hold on to the rocky sea bottom with root-like structures. Floats in huge mats close to land and potentially capable of fouling a propeller or a rudder. More here (Wikipedia) round the prop – just don't know, but not a little dispiriting. Happiness not in great abound. As the Great Man said, it's all gone tits up and I need a G & T.

More as we discover…

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radio email processed by SailMailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service.
for information see:

http://www.sailmailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service..com

Therer seems to be a pattern to Berri's long trips – at least one use
of the trisailA tiny storm sail that is set on the mast instead of the mainsail. Full explanation here in anger, at least one unscheduled stop, communication
difficulties…

Diagnosis – I have arrenged for a diver to look at Berri's prop and to
check for any evidence of other damage, but I think it is unlikely he
will find anything, unless it is evidence of attachment and
entanglement with diaphanous Inquisitorial underwear or, more likely,
kelpTypes of brown algae, which hold on to the rocky sea bottom with root-like structures. Floats in huge mats close to land and potentially capable of fouling a propeller or a rudder. More here (Wikipedia).

The real cause of our problem seems to be a set of worn shims in the
gearbox – perhaps from aforesaid possible entanglement – and John
WitchardWitchard, John: Berri has one of his 22hp engines, much praised for its reliability. See also Tractor. has started the rather difficult process oif building us
another gearbox and getting it here. I think it would be irresponsible
to try to wing it with the current one, even though it works fine most
of the time, so I think we will be here for a few more days at least,
probably a couple of weeks. Ther boxes can be exchanged without
lifting the boat or the engine, but it will be a squeeze. But once
again, Onya John. Amazing service and an astonishingly reliable little
donkThe engine – a donkey is a beast of burden that does all the work and engines driving winches and other labour saving devices are known as donkey engines..

And we need to reassess – perhaps bypass Nome altogether and go
straight to BarrowPoint Barrow or Nuvuk is a headland on the Arctic coast in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost point of all the territory of the United States. More on wikipedia – certainly no sign of a showstopper yet, but all
depends on what we can do while we are here.

More tomrrow after thre diver. I've seldom ever been so knackered and
I'm off back to Berri for a couple more hours zizzery.

After a couple of phone calls to JW in Oz and then to Zee F in
Seattle, then to Norm at Marine Engine Repairs, also in Seattle – who
took my credit card number – there's a ZF10M 2.72-1 gearbox in the
mail to S/V Berrimilla in Dutch Harbour. If we don't get fogged in, it
should be here in about 4 days – just time to get the old one off and
in the mail back to JW in Oz – where it should still be in warranty.
Might just cover the cost of postage. Over to you, ExaminerShe who asks awkward questions of the crew and tests them with difficult tasks.!

Now for a small ConsultationA regular engagement with alcohol. One might say this whole epic is a Consultation with a bit of a sail round it. See also Conservation Mode; Linear and Parallel Methods of Consultation with Adam ther Diver – if he's not under
a fishing boat somewhere.

One step at a time Mick – and a bit of trial and error and I
discovered that there's one bolt on the gearbox flange that I can't
no-how get a spanner on. I've curled myself into the tiny space around
the side of the donkThe engine – a donkey is a beast of burden that does all the work and engines driving winches and other labour saving devices are known as donkey engines., squeezed over the top, borrowed extensions from
Dave, and in one particularly contorted position I can just feel the
socket and the bolt into contact but there's no way that I can get
them to engage – and even if I could, getting it done up again would
be one of those things that might end up with crossed threads and the
beginning of disaster.

And I'm one big bruise where pointy bits of the donkThe engine – a donkey is a beast of burden that does all the work and engines driving winches and other labour saving devices are known as donkey engines. engage with my
ribs — a long and often frustrating day for me, but McQ and Kimbra
found some silicone spray and McQ went up the mast and sorted the
track and they are getting the 30 or so paper charts we will need for
the NWPThe Northwest Passage is a sea route through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America via waterways amidst the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. More here. in order. And they cooked dinner on the boat, using some of
our perishable broccoli and other goodies, with some boxed hamburger
bits left over from a meal at ther Grand.

So – today is lifting the engine and movfing it forwards into the
cabin. Dave B is going to help and lend us a chain hoist and we will
use the boom as a crane, properly stabilised. We can't rest the engine
on its sump because it has a valve under it, so we will organise
blocks to stand it on. I think I have worked out what else has to be
disconnected, but we'll work it out as we go. IFF it all works, and we
get the box off, we then have to dismantle the various levers and the
flywheel flange to put back on the new one when it arrives. So all
hands to the pumps this morning.

And then – and then we have to put it all back together.

Summer in Unalaska – bleak, cold misty rain, low cloud, legendary mud
and no place for a bloke on a pushbike. Where I’ve been for most of
the day, assembling bits and pieces for The Great Rebuild. US post
Office closed on Sundays, so no chance of new gearbox till at least
tomorrow and big to do list once it arrives.

Spoke to JW to ask all the necessary questions and he reminded me that
you can’t post flammable liquids through the mail, so the box will
arrive dry (no oil in it…)….now that would have been embarrassing!
And I need to discuss with the local experts things like oil
specification for the donkThe engine – a donkey is a beast of burden that does all the work and engines driving winches and other labour saving devices are known as donkey engines. sump and whether to put antifreeze in the
heat exchange tank.

But we shall prevail…

I’m living – well, sleeping really – in the boat. Even less
comfortable and more cluttered than usual with the engine in what was
the only usable space. Now back in the lobby of the G I getting this
on line, then it’s into the Cape Cheerful bar where it’s ‘Build your
own Bloody Mary’ day – you get a shot of vodka in a glass and proceed
to a table covered in in stuff to add to it. There’s even TJ
somewhere. I shall follow procedure and sit there and do the to-do
list for tomoz.

McQ and K working off a 4 hour breakfast sorting and cataloguing
charts. They were going to climb Ballyhoo but in these conditions it
would have constituted penance for a lifetime of sin.

David W – there was a bloke peering under the bonnet of the Pontiac
yest. I had a look – erk! All about 6″ deep in mud and gunk. But it
seems he got it started because it’s now on the other side of the pub
- no doubt having shed a few rust flakes on the way.

Up early this morning – lay in my tiny cocoon for most of the night
listening to the wind howl and LizzieLizzie the Whizzer: Berrimilla's wind generator whizz and the rain spatter on my
ever so lightweight jacket tied over the top of the open companion
way, now blocked by the chain hoist. NPR on the radio – Vale George
Carlin. I hear already the roar of 'George WHO??' GC was a comedian
who used his considerable intelligence and wonderful irony to take
apart pomposity, hypocrisy and market speak out beyond the accepted
line in the sand – here's his most famous routine – you may be one of
those who is offended by it…
http://www.erenkrantz.com/Humor/SevenDirtyWords.shtml
I'm a bit surprised that tits got up instead of – for instance -
nigger or kike – but then it was back in the 60's. A wonderful
wordsmith – you can read his books and, I think, buy recordings of his
routines and soliloquies.

Also on NPR – LeroyLeroy ChiaoLeroy Chiao: International Space Station Commander, Expedition 10, at time Berrimilla first made contact. Bio here.: International Space Station Commander, Expedition 10, at time Berrimilla first made contact. Bio here. Chiao, the first person to vote from space in a
presidential election, talking about his experience which was at about
the same time as Pete and I were talking to him. And I reflected on
unreality – the surreal – ephemeral concepts of permanence and
solidity – There I was, warm under my fleecy rugs and the searug in
atrocious conditions, muddy daks spread to dry, bits of engine all
around – brown fisho's boots standing grey and splattered just inside
- in Berrimilla in Alaska. How could this be? I can't really be here!
A bit like talking to LeroyLeroy ChiaoLeroy Chiao: International Space Station Commander, Expedition 10, at time Berrimilla first made contact. Bio here.: International Space Station Commander, Expedition 10, at time Berrimilla first made contact. Bio here. on the satphone when we were under that
awful storm in the South Atlantic. And today, I regard the man as a
friend – weird, but wonderful! Hi LeroyLeroy ChiaoLeroy Chiao: International Space Station Commander, Expedition 10, at time Berrimilla first made contact. Bio here.: International Space Station Commander, Expedition 10, at time Berrimilla first made contact. Bio here., if you're reading this and
not on a plane to BurrumbuttockIt’s a small rural town in NSW, 30 kms north of Albury. Their school has had a significant involvement in the protection of Australia’s native Squirrel Glider. or WoopWoop. Sometimes life seems to
be suspended and, perhaps like A Midsummer Night's Dream, family, home
and the rest are just misty context for the play within the play.

Amelia's for coffee (…?) and toast at 0530 and then across the muddy
road with the Nik to take photos of fog and pale and grey harbour and
mountains.

And the Pontiac has returned to its rightful spot.

Speeds – And H – I will today post USB sticks with pics to date -
Speedy, you've already got most of them – if there's room on the
stick, I'll send the raw files, else just small jpegs.

More detailed bits and pieces today – might make it up Ballyhoo with
McQ & K but not if the gearbox is here.

There are photos of Berri with strop and heath robinson kit on Steve’s website here

senseofplace63.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html

Doesn’t seem to be raining so must have been taken acouple of days ago.

I have absolutely no idea if this will work. But if it does, you should see a pic of me and KevinFleming, Kevin: manufacturer of stainless steel self steering device, aka KevvoStainless steel self steering device, built by Kevin Fleming, used on Berrimilla and countless others, used on Berrimilla and countless others; (Kevin Fleming, you're an absolute bloody gem! ) the Snowman on Ballyhoo. Just to
show that we did manage to climb the hill today. If it doesn't work, hello anyway…

Bloody awful day but we got the gearbox and I've converted it to Berri
config. Grey thick sandy mud and I've ridden about 40 k in it – I
think my new Henri pants have been sandpaperd to total uselessness -
SPBF – I'm sweaty, totally knackered but happy we seem to be a step
forward. Dave rang to say gbox arrived so I rode out there again to
check it – was not intending to do any more so did not take backpack
with notebook, phone numbers, laptop etc.

Sitting in Dave's office and security guy arrives with mobile -
Fishing boat skipper trying to call Dave to say that he had received
email from RCCRoyal Cruising Club Australia (AMSAAustralian Maritime Safety Authority) saying they had rec'd an emergency
call from him. He unable to communicate by email only satphone. I
offered to call AMSAAustralian Maritime Safety Authority as I know most of the people, but no backpack so
did not have number immediately handy and things conspired and by the
time Dave was ready, the Harbourmaster was on the phone saying plane
launched from Kodiak etc….Anyway, all eventually sorted – Fishing
boat's SatCSatcom: A worldwide communication system using the INMARSAT satellite network and allowing transfer of text and data (not voice) using compact and relatively cheap equipment defective – I suggested better to turn it off until fixed.

Then spent the next 2 hours converting gearbox in Dave's office and
conference room. Tomorrow is another day. A ConsultationA regular engagement with alcohol. One might say this whole epic is a Consultation with a bit of a sail round it. See also Conservation Mode; Linear and Parallel Methods of Consultation is called for
then I'm going to crawl back into Berri, trying to leave mud and sand
outside, and collapse.

See you tomoz.

Lots of pics arrived and to save time I’ve put some of them in a separate gallery, which you can view by clicking on ‘New Pics’ on the home page. The gallery opens in a separate window. so you can close it when you want to go back to the site.
Best,
Speedy.

Alex and the legendry Dave Boisseau peering through Berri's companionway at the engine suspend and chocked into workable
position in the middle of the cabin floor.

in the middle of huge day. Started connecting it all up at first light
-ish this morning. Cold! First asess the job, sort the tools and clean
the threads of the 4 shaft coupling bolts and the engine mounts.
Wriggle past the side of the donkThe engine – a donkey is a beast of burden that does all the work and engines driving winches and other labour saving devices are known as donkey engines., clothes and ribs getting snaggerd
on the pointy bits, bolts and socket driver in hand …is it lined up?
Some preliminary fiddling at full and contorted stretch and – totally
amazing – the first bolt engaged followed by the other three. So -
engine came out, jiggled around a lot, new gearbox attached, jiggled
around some more and remounted and exactly lined up with the shaft.
That sort of thing never happens to me! The gods must be preparing me
for something nasty. Everything else seemed to attach more or less how
it came off, although getting the gear cable and the throttle cable
attached and lined up and clamped was interesting and may still not be
quite right.

Am now in the hall of the GI warming my hands while I ring JW to check
that ATF Dexron 3 will do instead of 2 – nobody sells 2 here. Then off
to get some and back to fill the gearbox and take heart in mouth and
try to start the thing…

Dinner with Steve Tomkins tonight. Will try to report before we go.

Usually, I start one of these full of ideas. Not this morning – no idea what will be in it. Arrived on the bike at the GA very early this morning before breakfast to find the evidence of what must have been a biggish night even by DH standards – pools and splashes and trails of technicolour yawn everywhere outside the front door and along the footpaths. A coupled of hours later, after going back to Berri and packing and repackinbg the spare laptops and electrical gear behind the nav station and Eric and the troops have had the fire hoses out and hosed it all away.

As Steve says in the gustbookThe Guest Book on the Berri site, so named to prevent spammers finding it to offer, or request unusual services and medications. The Gust book is here., we had a wonderful evening at his house – mountains of crab, lots of wine and laughter – Whitters completely knackered after sorting the gearbox as you can see in Steve’s pics, here.

And I’m honoured, Steve, to have my own little spot in your blog. Maybe I saw the eagle, but it was my nice piece of glass (as Speedy calls the nik lens) that focussed it and a very clever camera.that recorded it. I will today post another cd of mostly Ballyhoo pics to Speeds plus a somewhat used gearbox to John in Sydney.

And Steve gave us his magic silver dollar – which he carried all around the USA on his motor bike – it’s now on Berri’s magic wall – He said we are to buy ourselves a beer when we get to England, but not before. Thanks Steve. Lovely gift!

Other nice things keep happening – I woke yesterday to find a little packet of smoked salmon and some dig bosketty things in the cockpit – no note – but I later found a note floating next to the boat – Thanks Sue! Dig boskets to be eaten with jam and a cold chisel – chuck the boskets, jam on the chisel and eat that instead!

Meeting Dave at the boat soon to give him back all the gear he lent us – I’ll keep the bike until this evening if possible for all the inevitable last minute errands – and we will move Berri to the outside of the jetty so that we don’t get caught by the very low tide tomorrow morning and can leave at first light. The weather looks good for a few days but that’s now! It changes almost hourly and any forecast more than a couple of days ahead is largely conjecture.

I’ll send this because gmail in basic html (all this link will manage) tends to drop drafts – there may be another one later.

Gearbox and picture cd’s and small dvd in the mail, boat more or less
loaded – McQ and K off somewhere having lunch – seems we’re about
ready to set off again. It’s been an interesting and instructive stay
- I now know why diesel engineers never turn up and – if they do -
they charge dockyard job money.

Huge thanks, once again, to Dave Boisseau for going way beyond the
reasonable to help us out – enjoy your 4th of July, Dave, and come
sailing in Oz. And to Steve and Sue and all those people who have
offered to help, lend us stuff, drive us around, feed us – it’s been
special. Now I hope we can make it stick and do what we came up here
to do.

Pascal in Resolute – the cavalry is coming. Maybe!

From here on, contact via the website GustbookThe Guest Book on the Berri site, so named to prevent spammers finding it to offer, or request unusual services and medications. The Gust book is here. or the contact page. Our
iridium phone will be the international prefix plus 881631653278.
Ignore any messages if it rings out – do not leave a voice message,
just redial and keep doing so until someone answers. We will not
receive voice messages but you can send sms messages to the phone from
www.iridium.com.

I will try to keep this phone for voice and the other one for data but
this may change. I have a third SIM for emergencies as well.

I hope the next one from me is a sailmailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service. message. Appendages once again please!