by Capts. Dave and Desiree
07/20/2008, Spinalonga Lagoon, Crete

When we left Herzliya, Israel, we were thinking "big" and thought we would be in Sicily in a week. Although we had checked the weather and it looked to be a clear window, reality set in three days later. We downloaded weather reports routinely on the boat. Westward the winds were escalating, becoming much more boisterous, and "on our nose." We evaluated the situation and decided to tuck into Turkey. After banging into over 30 knot winds and unrelenting waves, we gratefully dropped an anchor into a known anchorage, Kekova Roads, Turkey. We waited out the weather for thirty-six hours before we ventured westward once again.

After moving southwest in reasonable winds for the first twenty-four hours, the known "normality" of summer Grecian winds came into effect. The winds started to gust to 35knots with a very irregular wave activity, but we really had no options but trudging forward. The other challenge is winds and bad weather do not necessarily stop at night, which was the case with our present situation. Dave and I alternated sailing that night, with the second person sleeping inside the settee for quick assistance, if needed. We even let Ryan and Wesley off their early AM shift??"it did not seem appropriate to make them responsible for the boat in these winds.

We did finally make it to Spinalonga Lagoon, Crete after three days and two nights. It was a beautiful sight. So how long until Sicily? Who knows. We'll just keep checking the weather and moving westward using good sailing judgment.

(We tried to capture a picture capturing the wind and waves, but none of the photos reflected the ferocity??"so instead this photo of Spinalonga Lagoon reflects the peaceful spot of our anchorage).

Comments [0]

by Capt. Desiree
07/14/2008, South of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea

The wind gods were in my favor on my birthday, and we had a great sail. Dave had been delicately simmering a pork curry over the last twenty-four hours, preparing for the feast.

Dave and I had completed our night shift of sailing, and Ryan ad Wesley had started theirs at the typical 6am startup. We were then startled ad awoken at 8am with breakfast in bed (that is, our cabin)! Our young crewmates decided to surprise us with fresh peaches, scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee delivered on a beautiful platter. To be truthful, we were speechless. Our breakfast was accompanied with a handmade card (of course with a birthday wish, but also a belated father's day wish since that special occasion was lost in the chaotic pace of the EMYR).

That morning, Ryan and Wesley insisted on putting out the fishing rods. Now, we had put those instruments out for the last three years, and the only fish we ever caught was a flying fish that inadvertently flew onto the deck. Dave dutifully helped them put out the fishing rod on one side, and a fishing line on the other. We certainly didn't think much more about it until.....late that afternoon I heard a different type of sound (we have all become accustomed to tuning our ears to different sounds because you never know...), and I yelled "Fish!" ; Dave said, "Who is playing with the belt sander?"

I will let the remaining story be told by Ryan and Wesley, so please check their blog at:

Check out the "Sailing Twins"http://www.sailblogs.com/member/sailingtwins/?xjMsgID=63129

Check out the "Sailing Twins"http://www.sailblogs.com/member/sailingtwins/?xjMsgID=63132

Comments [0]

By Capts. Dave and Desiree
07/10/2008, Herzliya, Israel

As we have mentioned, Herzliya is an excellent marina to catch up on projects, especially when you will be crossing the Atlantic in a matter of months. The list is always endless, but we really were making significant progress: the windmills finally were working (!), (and Dave diverted excess power from the windmills to the water heater so we would not inadvertently fry our batteries), he wired a monitor in our cabin so the one resting could view the E120/radar and keep an eye on the sailing status, new chocks were made so the dinghy was more stable on the back deck, Dave spent hours rewiring and improving the computers on board, the starboard navigation light and the anchor windlass wires were replaced after having dissolved over the years, a new spinnaker pole was designed and replaced on our deck since it would be invaluable during our crossing of the Atlantic, a morning was spent with Mardy and Paul at sea putting out the spinnaker sail out since our experience was limited, and I am sure I did not do the list justice, leaving some tasks out, but you get the idea.

I was Dave's right arm. I passed tools, reminded him where he set them down when he couldn't see them (typically right in front of his nose), and just kept him focused rather than frustrated. I was also the "gopher," purchasing supplies and food at the nearby mall to keep the projects going. And inside that mall...was this awesome coffee house, Cup O' Joes. Mardy and I frequented this place on a regular basis in the late afternoons. A terrific place to commiserate about boat life... and it was air-conditioned! The bistro servers got to know us and as soon as we sat down, started brewing our cafe lattes. What a treat! When you are working from early morning to late evening, you definitely savor these moments.

Comments [0]