2130hrs 03 Oct 2005 UTC 27’11”S 024’18”W Ref 411
A good friend of ours, who has sailed about as many miles as we have, wrote and told us that when he read “It’s woolly black. It’s raining.” a couple of days ago, he was instantly right there in the cockpit with me and he wondered how many others were squeezed in there with us, not letting on. I thought it would be interesting to ask – did that piece transport anyone else out here? And as an extension, are there favourite bits of the log for any of you? And why? The ‘why’ is the fascinating bit because it speaks about you and your experience. If anyone is brave enough, perhaps you could write a few lines about it and we could post your stories (suitably anonimised if you wish). My sister has her favourite entry stuck to the wall near her computer and I suspect that any such list would have very few duplicates.
Malcom, thanks for book details on the Franklin expedition – here they are. I may have borrowed your copy.
Re book about bodies in the permafrost in NW passage. Book is available on Amazon. “Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition by Owen Beattie and Geiger. Fascinating book especially if you like colour piccies of deep frozen jolly jack tars, Beattie is an anthropologist. The book was republished as a new edition in 2000. I guess I have an unusual book collection.
From Joanne C.
No I don’t have a Radio Operator’s certificate or First Aid, but I do have Sea Survival and knowledge of First Aid (through bronze SLS medallion)
The boatshow was good, weather was nice – lots of new boats but not much new gear. I went to the RORC on Tues 22nd and was very happy to hear you had won the Seamanship Trophy, well done, I posted a small story on the YW website about your triumph and the fact that our boat won the RORC IRC 1 series overall so we’re pretty happy about that. I am going to the fancy ball in November, a shame you will miss it but I see you are trying to get friends to go in your place which is good.
I hope the weather has abated for you – 45kts gusting to 60-80 doesn’t sound very nice for ol’ berri.
I didn’t see Giles Pearman at the boatshow, but sent him an email. He is looking into paying for my flight to Australia which is great so I will see what happens. But he was concerned about 1) you being able to enter the race 2) you being able to get back in time for it.
If you could give me a rough idea about your progress then we’ll see how we go. From what I can tell you said you have 8500 miles to go which is gives you about 2 months or so?? Otherwise I may have to leave it for the next year…which may be a better idea as I do wonder whether I am ready for such a big race…though I would feel very safe with you guys of course. How much experience have your past crew members had?
I hope all is going well out there and you’re amusing yourselves by trying to drink your tea!!
Jo, thanks for your note – I’ll write to you soon.
I think we have missed the big front further south – we are just hooking into the top of it and have been lifted round onto about 150M – noice. I hope it continues to lift – it should, for a day or so. The wind and seas have abated a bit and it’s a lot more comfortable. We will pass Henry tomorrow morning, probably about 75 miles to the north east, and we will have a small ceremony for him.
I’ve just been up to look for the Southern Cross – it’s still buried in the murk layer but the pointers are bright and clearly visible. Venus is huge on our starboard quarter with a glowing aura and Berrimilla’s wash is rippling through the reflected trail.
Special moment.
The logs ramblings can be cryptic, so we have added: