No No No; not a baseball diamond...........a mooring.
We have a 6500# granite block fitted with a 1.25" diameter stainless staple inserted; and it all is sunk into the primordial muck. It will hold!
Three days ago SULA arrived in town with David and Heather from Austrailia at the helm and I asked them if they would like our mooring and the use of our car.
We have had the BEST time!
Sun downers there, dinners here, lobsters thanks to Stott, blue berry pie(s) avec whipped cream! Did I mention a few South Australian red wines.
I, as a naval architect, have learned that the "Discovery 55", is in fact, the vessel over which to lust. Ron Holland did a great job. David and Heather will hang in New England 'till Sept., then off to the Windward Islands, East to the Med. and then arround Cape Horn, back through the South Pacific (for the second time) and on home to Australia. I would never try it on BLESSED SPIRT, but I would love to do the voyage on SULA.
Wow, we don't even have to go anywhere and we meet the best of friends. Fair Winds David and Heather! Be safe, we love you.
Can't wait till our wakes cross again.
PS, is that a Baldy flying over your mast?
|
Comments [0]
06/29/2010, Edgecomb, Maine
Attention all cruisers!!
Let it be known, that on this day, the 29th of June 2010, there has been a monumental change to the beloved crew.
Starting this fall, as we head south to places unknown and remote, the good ship "BLESSED SPIRIT" will have a Captain (Corning), The Admiral (Tita) and a new First Mate (Demi)!
Shanghaied from the Isle of Cuba, a Havanese she be.
And a good looker too, might I say.
A fair warning to yea all.
Approach from now on, the BLESSED SPIRIT, with caution!
And I might be bringin' a few treats for the Mate, if I was yea.
Love Demi.
|
Carrie
For our last blog of this trip, we have tried to summarize the most important things that we learned, and have related these items to past blogs. Thanks for riding with us!
(The dates after each title refer to previous blogs that can be found in "[Contents]" to the right and a bit below the the top of this page.)
WE ARE A PART OF A GREATER PLACE: 11/04/2009
The fish, birds and animals that we have seen along the way remind us that we are just a part of what is a very special and spiritual place. We never could get enough (let alone bored) of sailing with the dolphins. Our compassion and understanding of the eagles, manatees, and iguanas has evolved.
WE FEAR LESS THE LEAVING OF FRIENDS: 03/08/2010
The ocean is large, but we were definitely not alone. We found old or new friends at nearly every island. Initially it was hard to say goodbye. But it soon became apparent that leaving friends, really only meant there was an opportunity at the next island for meeting some new ones. My anxiety has been replaced by anticipation. The friends we have met are far and away the best part of cruising.
PREPARING FOR AN ACCEPTABLE RISK: 10/09/2009
Cruising on the ocean is not like sitting on your couch, the risk and rewards are somewhat higher. We spent 7 years preparing our boat, and our seamanship, prior to leaving in 2007. The obvious life raft, ditch bag, radar, spare parts, jack lines, new life lines, AIS (Automatic Information System) etc etc. were all added or replaced to make the boat safer and more self contained. The main engine, reduction gear and furling systems were removed from the boat and rebuilt. All the running and standing rigging has been replaced. It was important to get the vessel to a point where we were riding the crest of "daily maintenance". At sea, things break. Years ago this was astounding and depressing. We now expect problems and are better prepared to fix them ourselves.
The two of us have become comfortable sailing at night and also in the fog by cruising Maine for several years. With Tita's constant reminder to put things back where they belong, we can now grab or operate almost anything in the dark. This saves time and allows better concentration on the task at hand.
WEATHER RULES: 02/08/2010
This was a strange and difficult weather winter, exceptionally cold, and more than average northerly blows. Every morning we would listen to Chris Parker dissect the present synopsis and forecast the weather for cruisers. Where possible, we would download other predictions from UGRIB, SAILFLOW, BUOYWEATHER, NOAA all to aid us in making the best decision as to when and where to go. When a norther system would strike, it would blow 35 knots and swing from the East to the West in only 6-10 hours. This meant that we needed good anchor holding, wind protection and swinging space for many different wind directions. We had to get to our choice location before the anchorage filled with other cruisers. It was a little like musical chairs. Now at home, we listen to the weather to see if it going to be "Sunny".
HELPING AND BEING HELPED: 03/04/2010 "A desperate call on the VHF"
For 5000 miles, we travelled from spot to spot, one weather window to the next and always with a helping hand. Miraculously we never got into a situation which was way over our head. We were definitely cared for. We arrived safely home.
We also were presented time after time with a situation where we could be the helping hand. We saved Rashka and brought a tearful family together, we alone saved a drowning swimmer and got him back to his boat, we were the radio relay assisting LIBERTY that was 3 days late from Bermuda, we aided others who were needing a mooring, we ferried a newly arriving guest to another's boat when the waves were too great for their own dingy to be safe. Repeatedly we were in the right spot to help others, and near the end of the voyage we became known as the blessed spirits.
THE TWO OF US
We sail a relatively large boat, but it can also feel pretty cramped. Neither of us could do what we have done without the other. But there are times when we have our "moments". The size of the boat does not allow one to leave in a huff or sulk, or hide in a cave alone. The situation must be discussed and rightfully dealt with. Consequently the "moment" drifts by like the passing waves. Tita and I are closer now than ever. We are a good team. Being together on a small boat has taught us that each day is short and that we can not waste a one.
|
Well said indeed!
Vicky & Tom
Roberta
Black Pt. , Exuma
