Here we go......

Alex Blog 1
It is beginning to seem as if this burst of silliness has legs (*are we becoming a veritable centipede, infact???*). We have just bought half of Woolworths, and McQueen has spent most of the day sorting it, writing chinese (*and drawing random pictures of cows and carrots, of course*!) on each can, bagging stuff, eating all the blue snakesNatural fruit-flavoured sweets carried on board. (t*hey are the most hyper-activating ones, for sure, but it needed to be tested!*!!) and having one of her last 100 or so fags out in the garden. About 1000% more organised than last time, but then, we’ve got Experience now and the VogonsExtremely ugly, unpleasant and officious, the Vogons emerged from the seas of Vogsphere and became bureaucrats in the Galactic Government. They destroyed the earth to clear the way for a hyperspace bypass; see also HHGTTGThe Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams; essential reading for those trying to understand these logs. You may be none the wiser once you’ve read it, but at least you’ll have tried. More here haven’t arrived to read poetry to us yet so the brains are (relatively) clear.

Each of three laptops appears to be talking to the HFHigh Frequency – usually refers to HF radio which is long range digital radio that Berrimilla used to send all but a few of the logs on both circumnavigations. The radio was connected via a Pactor 3 digital modem to Alex’s laptop and used the Sailmail software application called Airmail to send emails and pull in emails, weather and GRIB files. Airmail also supports Iridium satellite telephone messaging and Alex used this as backup when the HF radio died approaching England. radio, the 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, AISAutomatic Identification System. An automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels., Software on Board (our nav package that took us around the world last time).
KevvoStainless steel self steering device, built by Kevin Fleming, used on Berrimilla and countless others is operational again, rubbing the grot from his eyes and peering into the future. And there’s a whizzing generator thing on a television tower over KevvoStainless steel self steering device, built by Kevin Fleming, used on Berrimilla and countless others’s head. He doesn’t like it, but at least it won’t get tangled in his delicate parts like the towed one did. And it might keep this laptop supplied with wiggly amps at least until it gets cold. 2 watermakers this time – and quite a lot of diesel to get us through the ITCZInter Tropical Convergence ZoneInter Tropical Convergence Zone, also known as The Doldrums, also known as The DoldrumsInter Tropical Convergence ZoneInter Tropical Convergence Zone, also known as The Doldrums, also known as The Doldrums (jazzy FLA for the DoldrumsInter Tropical Convergence ZoneInter Tropical Convergence Zone, also known as The Doldrums, also known as The Doldrums) if we need it. We have to average about 4 knots to stay on schedule.

Berri has a furlerA device fitted around the length of the forestay(s) of a sailing yacht that enables the crew to roll the headsail partially around the forestay and so make its effective area smaller (the same as reefing) or to roll it up completely (furling it). The sail would be furled when at anchor or otherwise not being used. There is a full description here . – a real Australian artefact, having come from an even more famous boat, Love and War, and we’ve got a hairdryer installed (*It must be mentioned at this point that McQ did not demand such equipment)*.
What else does a little boat need?

Well, some medicinal compound, prescribed by Drs CooperCoopersCoopers Sparkling Ale: - according to Alex: “brewed in the bottle, so a bit of sludge comes with it - best beer on the planet - beats a Pan Galactic Gargleblaster hands down”. Also a home brew from a Cooper’s Kit, perfected by onboard master-brewer Pete. See Pete’s interesting equation Sparkling Ale: - according to Alex: “brewed in the bottle, so a bit of sludge comes with it - best beer on the planet - beats a Pan Galactic Gargleblaster hands down”. Also a home brew from a Cooper’s Kit, perfected by onboard master-brewer Pete. See Pete’s interesting equation and Gordon plus McQueen has never read HitchikerThe Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams; essential reading for those trying to understand these logs. You may be none the wiser once you’ve read it, but at least you’ll have tried. More here, so we need all 5 volumes of the trilogy so that she recognises Vogon poetry when she hears it.. (*which she will read after learning the Ancient Mariner off by heart or certainly subjected AW to the first four verses of Coleridge till he can take it no longer)*

And then a bit of luck that it all stays more or less on track until YuriYuri's night, April 12th, is the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's first space flight in 1961 and the first Shuttle flight in 1981. It is celebrated all over the world by people interested in or connected to the space industry.’s night or perhaps a day or so earlier. Plus the capacity for intelligent improvisation, otherwise known as the ability to think and chew gum at the same time. It will be very much a work it out as we go voyage, rather like the last one.

Berri is now about 200 metres south of the ‘where is berri position’, now on the CYCCruising Yacht Club of Australia marina.
3352.377S 151.958E
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