Jan 04, 2006 - 2000hrs EDT

[ed: phone report from Alex]

Motor sailing along in a gentle NE off St Helens. About 2 days to Eden – and perhaps a 38’ yacht to salvage (Savcor, a Sydney 38 leased by Swedes for this years S2HSydney-Hobart Race: often described as the most gruelling ocean race in the world, this annual race starts on 26th December from Sydney Harbour and ends in Hobart. The course is 628 nautical miles. was rolled in 6m seas off Eden yesterday as it returned to Sydney from Hobart.  The crew rescued by the Police launch and the boat was left adrift – Article Here).

[ed: a later email in from Alex:]

I haven’t been able to connect to 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. since we left Hobart and don’t know why so will continue to churn these out in case it is just a propagationIn the logs, this refers to the radiation of signal energy and is customarily qualified by the words abysmal, ratshit or lousy glitch.

South east of St Helen’s. Motoring, light north easter, forecast to last all day tomorrow too – not good and we will try to get as far north as possible. We’ve heard that the Sydney 38 Savcor is abandoned and adrift somewhere SE of Eden – worth a look when we get up there although I would be very surprised if the Eden fishermen haven’t already salvaged it.

Sad story – there was a dead albatross in the water a few miles back with another – presumably its mate – circling around. Almost a personal bereavement.

[ed: request from Hilary and no doubt seconded by Alex]

Stephen/Malcolm,

Could you post a message for Australian readers [ed: International readers can listen online] of the log to tell them that The HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy is being broadcast on ABC RADIO National at 5.30 on week nights.

 [ed: You can listen online  just remember, it is Sydney time which is GMT + 11 currently]

The first episode was broadcast today, in which Arthur Dent was saved by Ford Prefect when Earth was demolished, Arthur is introduced to the Hitch Hikers’ Guide, with it’s cover which says “Don’t Panic” (Arthur is a contributor to the guide), and Ford and Arthur, having hitched aboard a Vogon Constructor FleetExtremely 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 vessel, are discovered by the Vogon commander, who reads them Vogon poetry. For those Ozzies who want to know what Alex’s references to 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 are all about, this is an opportunity to find out.

Thank you,

HilaryAlex’s partner and Katherine’s mother