tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61887897173761019532024-03-29T16:29:36.924+13:00Voyage of BravoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-65011837818297773672023-08-03T05:02:00.005+12:002023-08-03T05:37:52.110+12:00Oh Canada!! - part 2.....Labrador!<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhHRve4RTnaP2RntXGKCuP8T9Scah9SXZ9N9lsQ1EUP95nwl8bMjVVWEBeYEzQG1YMzqdTYdCr1SuQJhyNYlQKRnA23yvk43m8QlwrUJdQxp7wk1iqctGPZ5_Unj7OmlpGUPHcuF470cN3NPku4Uaw-L5kstqiKY8yliHiMncXim3S6Y3sh2JkxBCVmvj/s5184/P7240719.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhHRve4RTnaP2RntXGKCuP8T9Scah9SXZ9N9lsQ1EUP95nwl8bMjVVWEBeYEzQG1YMzqdTYdCr1SuQJhyNYlQKRnA23yvk43m8QlwrUJdQxp7wk1iqctGPZ5_Unj7OmlpGUPHcuF470cN3NPku4Uaw-L5kstqiKY8yliHiMncXim3S6Y3sh2JkxBCVmvj/w400-h300/P7240719.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We've just returned south to Newfoundland after a few great weeks in Labrador. While we didn't get as far north as hoped due to unusually heavy concentrations of ice this late in the season, as well as heavy fog (a navigational challenge when trying to make big miles.....can you spell TITANIC???), we had lots of fun dodging icebergs, hiking, and checking out the mostly abandoned fishing villages and whaling stations along the coast.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Labrador is remarkably remote. We normally would go many days without seeing any other boat or other people, and in all the time we were up there, we only saw one other sailboat. Self sufficiency is key, as parts and technical expertise will absolutely not be found anywhere. You bring it with you, or you do without!!! <p></p><p>We spoke with one man and his grandson who motored over to say "hi" at one anchorage. He was building a cabin. I asked how he brought building supplies to the island, as there obviously is no Home Depot type store for likely hundreds of miles. He said that they get supplies trucked to the end of the road from Goose Bay in the winter when the water in the area is frozen. He then loads them on a large sled and tows them across the frozen tundra and ice for 40 miles or so, and leaves it so it will be waiting when he arrives the next summer to build the cabin. Amazing resourcefulness!!!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnJR3aAieOVVhiSql4wW4EqFiJr3gngEe5lMexdERjRvbSBgm9-JLvCF7XywZ14ZLwI7IN8V2uGcxxlBHCrca3Jc5_Qd12P1Czs_3m2PtElGzJHciP-ifHLhdpF8o14WSUxz13QNjCe2GWbCtXPlM1HpfTY-xKV9xgiQ4OeDxrhdW-W6eJvRodVejM4zP/s5464/DJI_0251-Edit.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3640" data-original-width="5464" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnJR3aAieOVVhiSql4wW4EqFiJr3gngEe5lMexdERjRvbSBgm9-JLvCF7XywZ14ZLwI7IN8V2uGcxxlBHCrca3Jc5_Qd12P1Czs_3m2PtElGzJHciP-ifHLhdpF8o14WSUxz13QNjCe2GWbCtXPlM1HpfTY-xKV9xgiQ4OeDxrhdW-W6eJvRodVejM4zP/w400-h266/DJI_0251-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Except for a couple of small fishing communities, we had every anchorage to ourselves. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqxC1Ogk8zv9UdpCXEdj511_kHyzrSL2KvZwMAKbgnEHTNSDi3iekLJGz7PtHgKVw0pHBHBS88BC-Hxid_rUcI1aeifzAfEgzBP3j8m4l_Qbc2ul-reVxe9_gef6E8BwvPrwgACaUg1NAfv3XSQ1DYkLFsvWJjebDiHaG6dFPTkUgO4FlVr0gdNyMryU4/s5464/DJI_0262.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3640" data-original-width="5464" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqxC1Ogk8zv9UdpCXEdj511_kHyzrSL2KvZwMAKbgnEHTNSDi3iekLJGz7PtHgKVw0pHBHBS88BC-Hxid_rUcI1aeifzAfEgzBP3j8m4l_Qbc2ul-reVxe9_gef6E8BwvPrwgACaUg1NAfv3XSQ1DYkLFsvWJjebDiHaG6dFPTkUgO4FlVr0gdNyMryU4/w640-h426/DJI_0262.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A favorite anchorage, Eagle Cove</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>ICE HO!!!</i></b></span></p><p>As we headed across the Strait of Belle Isle (water separating Newfoundland from Labrador) in pea soup fog, we began to see icebergs on the radar screen. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhMC_b_a4rbNl1-AtwcCml-HmhuyadDSbZSVSQuGKlH4vjcLy4-RBMaFbPvh1Fpn6HyKKivhnklSwFvSg2MD1wLhwYqXVqAEXyPG794So1CIC9Zi9FxzgDGbc30OAg59euQM_QlcEzp0Bw7wMabV-7iOTADc0JswQBh4-GMBafJ9cFE_Xlx4NfhGZIJ1i/s1609/IMG_1145.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1609" data-original-width="1056" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhMC_b_a4rbNl1-AtwcCml-HmhuyadDSbZSVSQuGKlH4vjcLy4-RBMaFbPvh1Fpn6HyKKivhnklSwFvSg2MD1wLhwYqXVqAEXyPG794So1CIC9Zi9FxzgDGbc30OAg59euQM_QlcEzp0Bw7wMabV-7iOTADc0JswQBh4-GMBafJ9cFE_Xlx4NfhGZIJ1i/w263-h400/IMG_1145.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceberg targets on radar screen in thick fog </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">AIS is obviously useless for detecting ice, and radar became our best friend in the frequent dense fog. While the radar displayed the full icebergs, it didn't pick up the smaller growlers (the size of amphibious VW's) or smaller still bergy bits. It was the growlers that worried us the most, as they were big enough to do serious damage, while, being mostly submerged, not showing up on radar. The fog made for some tense times, and sailing at night was a non starter for us.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The bergs were beautiful. Shapes, sizes, and colors were amazingly varied, as the light changed as we went in and out of fog banks. Great stuff, and many pixels were killed recording their images!!!</p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwb7711zj-E7nCuM93CEzpVHQ2_15X3cgNLhXD-Uhp96uwOlH5PgLg4vHuAawSrS98nnmiVPVYQy0lEKdAxPyDIWt4VhtPgETFe9z25uoVoV4bY3sgSXe1NqEwdsytcBqw4PYunWCg6waWHBM6PRd8IPzl8Fmi2DzDRzuZ_ePNUq9tr9H-4QXnPX3493Z/s2016/IMG_1288.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwb7711zj-E7nCuM93CEzpVHQ2_15X3cgNLhXD-Uhp96uwOlH5PgLg4vHuAawSrS98nnmiVPVYQy0lEKdAxPyDIWt4VhtPgETFe9z25uoVoV4bY3sgSXe1NqEwdsytcBqw4PYunWCg6waWHBM6PRd8IPzl8Fmi2DzDRzuZ_ePNUq9tr9H-4QXnPX3493Z/w640-h480/IMG_1288.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical foggy day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQfRKA82HztY_Ex6ZoHWJR4s4TN4hYXFQ3S2t66nFpjX71d8ihb0cY6iL_m2aMLzb4lH3D6qW1l5dyOcT6dJhY-_YcpLf_xX9C2mfglWomvWndTVVrDqAw1G3xqk2lnQeEROpnvwgu-r7xuGCBjd4vFxrvGHfC9kWdBrLQ1l_k6VkyTdkPCcLnhznmijr/s4641/P7130173-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3181" data-original-width="4641" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQfRKA82HztY_Ex6ZoHWJR4s4TN4hYXFQ3S2t66nFpjX71d8ihb0cY6iL_m2aMLzb4lH3D6qW1l5dyOcT6dJhY-_YcpLf_xX9C2mfglWomvWndTVVrDqAw1G3xqk2lnQeEROpnvwgu-r7xuGCBjd4vFxrvGHfC9kWdBrLQ1l_k6VkyTdkPCcLnhznmijr/w640-h438/P7130173-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uuZgwwy1b7FXDpNayGYVkrOXT7UXPB0HGGCqeazNEQlqApzDA3wuIgDXZk6bCaF7sgSt37iuhdtDTfJTNqUn-jiYpSKsBNT2-yMYHGqk23tgH3cFy2iyyz1qtYNB6j6vHhK1-2CrwntFtSRA29n0UQ3gRYvSkc7EC1v_ooqDuIgQenSS0v2nEEpbbNIt/s4027/P7130179-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqWTEJsAR7n7LFvygt3qMXoVKwhkyi3zBLjcO18pN0IEa2v7BIRDsVkOC2oOENMiLz9C30My6GUPMeH3IT0ovEg4wjCgmS8u1U4os-qCU8J2SnpT0wWegBDObSrXJf1mOBCoaQ0EPAvjMdWIhZkSFN_nJ5ysEPnqEAKci8_vqbx0LtKyopVoj5lekensc/s5134/P7160265.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3797" data-original-width="5134" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqWTEJsAR7n7LFvygt3qMXoVKwhkyi3zBLjcO18pN0IEa2v7BIRDsVkOC2oOENMiLz9C30My6GUPMeH3IT0ovEg4wjCgmS8u1U4os-qCU8J2SnpT0wWegBDObSrXJf1mOBCoaQ0EPAvjMdWIhZkSFN_nJ5ysEPnqEAKci8_vqbx0LtKyopVoj5lekensc/w640-h474/P7160265.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ_JA5p_lYbcJ2ptR6ne0PB63IOS82UYFjLKr6cD7mf6WaiFODjchL-UsKbDL9GxW1WV2aL9CHiUphFjfmcqjL_xhXfwUeJ_yRXZHTPbI8kNRjTaj_W-nN6txN5pgYMD7oz0WyT6794IKGnmrUJ1b7wMGCS1GIGWW3Z905loEW75U75KJZi450j1fFPJ8/s5184/P7160288.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ_JA5p_lYbcJ2ptR6ne0PB63IOS82UYFjLKr6cD7mf6WaiFODjchL-UsKbDL9GxW1WV2aL9CHiUphFjfmcqjL_xhXfwUeJ_yRXZHTPbI8kNRjTaj_W-nN6txN5pgYMD7oz0WyT6794IKGnmrUJ1b7wMGCS1GIGWW3Z905loEW75U75KJZi450j1fFPJ8/w640-h480/P7160288.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some bergs so large that they could have multiple postal codes!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMjVTxIb4AUSNzV1Xy5ghSgnxwx8ZfzHyEn0i2jc5QUN3kKtbzOr4NPh92M3FgpW3lGBbz2A0Hsd6mgaSw2f0xDfuy5AImUSUphnco15CuwxNQqg0QTWLLg3RAsv6bKNxWaIaRRDcXgyZ7ofskn4orSHbljk_2rnJKEo5lGDtWeqky3F4ey-XzNCCYfl9/s5184/P7160311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2431" data-original-width="3148" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWJ_xOzjUis2DYKh_cGs_8GKpW5SDFUdCxuPLNBQnla-EiuG14fhLKpq636GSofnmyQCeWKcY9HCPNpQmpMijk264NYrKsaivZyv3oBVMd6bIsQjzBCSN3mQO6XGY-i6IwVzPztoYeLLuUsVFE7e_Y4eTwgMi0QZQf3VjjRT0JkzrmBW_gC4aAAOOA69q/w640-h494/P7190468-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brave puffins swimming under the bergs!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HC-H219QPhPKP4mDkYd8tqHyYGIulmBGkrz1MPFzJN38K0U2My9Sy5LIPFEFz5DVFWE6lqfElOtsPnCG8ElSxaInwYQIn2it59Y9Iwn38LVkb3z34GShQP1ABUdMR3JGTVgiOYF7GCcJf0JaT1zMQO62rzW1eAZJ_nIaZo1jE7Knc-w13v4Hwdt-zGKF/s4083/P7190471.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="5008" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTZxt8eO1DuIt8je3IKbscmdx5lV232e1ox0CXpfmoBdYyPnc4-zByC1Z7DRMU8drJ2ZZpUmueNJqCxfM6AuSGpUrYsyXDi-kEuB8va9_5PmFVG2yOaFQtk5wDrIIxBwBnC7baIlZWPmXJeh7cxdzTsCmOcb7dH2vmi-Z8p8m7N3JducDC15A2SkdfUPh/w640-h364/P7220633.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't get up the nerve to fly the drone through the hole!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8icgmvWyNpw5Zd6aI_3kKWe9h536wQM96QMySu_leDC8gRAT_BAA8F5SIBOhaZ6hbQt8yPbUpGERew7huSyx_gTFXofR-E0GHaExgoqs8sko6FC0lnAyWJ52SAgmJkxrkKw_BquElCYehJD19f83Xi2hMmkES8DfSsckWJu_31eNajr7qUz4UaZF6lkNm/s5184/P7220656-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8icgmvWyNpw5Zd6aI_3kKWe9h536wQM96QMySu_leDC8gRAT_BAA8F5SIBOhaZ6hbQt8yPbUpGERew7huSyx_gTFXofR-E0GHaExgoqs8sko6FC0lnAyWJ52SAgmJkxrkKw_BquElCYehJD19f83Xi2hMmkES8DfSsckWJu_31eNajr7qUz4UaZF6lkNm/w640-h480/P7220656-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3416" data-original-width="5184" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VtMi0GEhNk3y0MjvWlW5wNT5fw5PZWyfi211g3RsX0Du6pJ1G7NZ7bpoM3hMOv61kthhVLrOTD3eTbZ6s11dqBZ2iQr4hJhfGG268Pa5fpRSUfww3S0dyHk1H6u-hlfMlKT2XY6NV5L5UHMMU2YomMgnO8LEWWZNmW3LxqCZ3v7xHeCotI_T39vGvXif/w640-h422/P7240720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhHRve4RTnaP2RntXGKCuP8T9Scah9SXZ9N9lsQ1EUP95nwl8bMjVVWEBeYEzQG1YMzqdTYdCr1SuQJhyNYlQKRnA23yvk43m8QlwrUJdQxp7wk1iqctGPZ5_Unj7OmlpGUPHcuF470cN3NPku4Uaw-L5kstqiKY8yliHiMncXim3S6Y3sh2JkxBCVmvj/s5184/P7240719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhHRve4RTnaP2RntXGKCuP8T9Scah9SXZ9N9lsQ1EUP95nwl8bMjVVWEBeYEzQG1YMzqdTYdCr1SuQJhyNYlQKRnA23yvk43m8QlwrUJdQxp7wk1iqctGPZ5_Unj7OmlpGUPHcuF470cN3NPku4Uaw-L5kstqiKY8yliHiMncXim3S6Y3sh2JkxBCVmvj/w640-h480/P7240719.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwe0dK5r6rDYueFRSDkYKYjKOL5y5Ia1lOsutKgWt_eCfKKeoMG5kbtQhk2CnwkRPqOEMuLkQQX_gp0K-E4Uju8oxl2GZciRPVzMD5IK0fsydG-w79rrwGzLpUqbgAQ_wt-Dj_x8UYnD5fZeAKfBjClH1ftaQ14eqY7XKJAPMD5hsaBObTRtHSkO77sRe/s2337/DJI_0263-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="2337" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwe0dK5r6rDYueFRSDkYKYjKOL5y5Ia1lOsutKgWt_eCfKKeoMG5kbtQhk2CnwkRPqOEMuLkQQX_gp0K-E4Uju8oxl2GZciRPVzMD5IK0fsydG-w79rrwGzLpUqbgAQ_wt-Dj_x8UYnD5fZeAKfBjClH1ftaQ14eqY7XKJAPMD5hsaBObTRtHSkO77sRe/w400-h239/DJI_0263-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It was fun in very calm weather to stop and fly the drone around a berg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNQ0159ZCdfVpwRHXTdQwF1RcBCqb1z8uSB6nPZT1a5kgeaZiHiGZXARXFwAjdEX6Z2agZ1k0CBKT5BXKFQngsfUnsdBKkhJLS5GWOVPL1ZESqUGCFsgQ0K0yTXfpDUrg7eBwJyelSb-AHKitwViDQ2YnjSQjRGo9bTtZVBeRbDlC4rlcqlXCAoEY6FXl/s3083/DJI_0264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="3083" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNQ0159ZCdfVpwRHXTdQwF1RcBCqb1z8uSB6nPZT1a5kgeaZiHiGZXARXFwAjdEX6Z2agZ1k0CBKT5BXKFQngsfUnsdBKkhJLS5GWOVPL1ZESqUGCFsgQ0K0yTXfpDUrg7eBwJyelSb-AHKitwViDQ2YnjSQjRGo9bTtZVBeRbDlC4rlcqlXCAoEY6FXl/w640-h338/DJI_0264.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_V6MlWIf91lYBss16ArFIJH0YSpI6mJTC8PRStOyAMuj6vMLo1UOVwnOeGOIXU30TMiuqFx2EX6xq6OjujoyghK2JXi6jv5XDmIMAUA5nusJAqd8NrpJphFu726Og4GnXGyQNQVTwWUOq7DmpT9EXnP-mwYHsSh9m0YOa35TG6QX9ZWIxeiDuOhRk95i/s3688/DJI_0268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3184" data-original-width="3688" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_V6MlWIf91lYBss16ArFIJH0YSpI6mJTC8PRStOyAMuj6vMLo1UOVwnOeGOIXU30TMiuqFx2EX6xq6OjujoyghK2JXi6jv5XDmIMAUA5nusJAqd8NrpJphFu726Og4GnXGyQNQVTwWUOq7DmpT9EXnP-mwYHsSh9m0YOa35TG6QX9ZWIxeiDuOhRk95i/w640-h552/DJI_0268.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anchorages could be interesting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only cruising guide of Labrador has reports from earlier cruisers, and might say something like, "John D. anchored here in 1987 and reported decent holding of his anchor. Then in 2003 Steve H. reported dragging in a strong SW wind". And that would be it!!! No reports since then!!! And the publication date of the book is 2020!!! Not a lot of intel!!! Charts could also be a bit "approximate" in the abandoned fishing bays, and we were very happy to have a rugged aluminum boat, with a draft (depth below the water) of just 1.2 meters (4 feet) with our centerboard up. Often we anchored with just 1 meter below the boat at low tide. We also made good use of our forward scanning sonar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuOzsTQMR19vqQ1qxy1UwFvB3WnNEgsOkmuO_K4XjmImKQ8TLLPDJN2oAm_i1zNT-P-J0Oo65PkQaILGhhnuiYRNeH3GilT6Dv9rzyclfNu7-Q8y5MkYYtFcXB70bOOp7slXCF-9UMUxCwYzWFq_Ty6dd8wYimjWkhYo4tg2vrqHOZkc9-0X7KN4ihqKA/s5184/P7260740.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3422" data-original-width="5184" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuOzsTQMR19vqQ1qxy1UwFvB3WnNEgsOkmuO_K4XjmImKQ8TLLPDJN2oAm_i1zNT-P-J0Oo65PkQaILGhhnuiYRNeH3GilT6Dv9rzyclfNu7-Q8y5MkYYtFcXB70bOOp7slXCF-9UMUxCwYzWFq_Ty6dd8wYimjWkhYo4tg2vrqHOZkc9-0X7KN4ihqKA/w640-h422/P7260740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Bay appears in the fog after crossing from Newfoundland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmsiaVhsKbLbC06uAkWIyndgGW1_ZR9o1eUsssShVbDK37iYu55CRMJqxkhgcrZfk4NEdrNb48Z_ewsygwbTXG3RXaEoYrPyg1SDGfaKMfoarBhqItaBmm5wFVcZSw86h9L6U9Rr7-nku9n0F9YuXVYotdlBZYkvRPLRRfquYmSBnjUOgPZxsUj5J3dii/s4774/P7160246.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3339" data-original-width="4774" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmsiaVhsKbLbC06uAkWIyndgGW1_ZR9o1eUsssShVbDK37iYu55CRMJqxkhgcrZfk4NEdrNb48Z_ewsygwbTXG3RXaEoYrPyg1SDGfaKMfoarBhqItaBmm5wFVcZSw86h9L6U9Rr7-nku9n0F9YuXVYotdlBZYkvRPLRRfquYmSBnjUOgPZxsUj5J3dii/w640-h448/P7160246.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy to spot the outhouse, built over the water!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETYF6S8QM0bqZIoP7gdweffCE8vlpWb8TJgNeiohHO21ICmVuQ2RGCyLJZabtLM0mQTEsKxHzIPrA_tM0R9U65zwFJLKH0JvjsZESlLfCCrhiQDIgdFRR9VGCMG8b8O6xCMENNeyQqbv0dBwLZgynXpKIleHlNtHx4X3o58Q_QX1fbi-R2A5d4ULFbU1K/s5184/P7160250.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2579" data-original-width="5184" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETYF6S8QM0bqZIoP7gdweffCE8vlpWb8TJgNeiohHO21ICmVuQ2RGCyLJZabtLM0mQTEsKxHzIPrA_tM0R9U65zwFJLKH0JvjsZESlLfCCrhiQDIgdFRR9VGCMG8b8O6xCMENNeyQqbv0dBwLZgynXpKIleHlNtHx4X3o58Q_QX1fbi-R2A5d4ULFbU1K/w640-h318/P7160250.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penny Harbour</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYZaX-mP_AnXdupW72_zEx_7Py8SagaQ4uamHVes7O3PTfCtwHOXibBAPcSz4Ic2upqJwf6d6NuQ9SKbrXEJCwluDsw7uVz8bkhzAOO2EDxTczVoxJSWYpG_UBZnQJ8XrJhgP_nPedy0MMJ7Ljuk_iI_g_zjrmexizfpFO7WGzfYiWsGcTNAm33j4GojG/s5019/P7160251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3489" data-original-width="5019" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYZaX-mP_AnXdupW72_zEx_7Py8SagaQ4uamHVes7O3PTfCtwHOXibBAPcSz4Ic2upqJwf6d6NuQ9SKbrXEJCwluDsw7uVz8bkhzAOO2EDxTczVoxJSWYpG_UBZnQJ8XrJhgP_nPedy0MMJ7Ljuk_iI_g_zjrmexizfpFO7WGzfYiWsGcTNAm33j4GojG/w640-h444/P7160251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg664Hf0L4jYK5HuJdDw5J6wjlWfgg4yyNKAOBJyLIlUlsli5KBxo3AYPO0TIZjTYcbnVlLRQ78IT8KfOtK8Re6RyZVItSAdcIItsahgN1sXk2w4Z2LUsLYBRKqkD-oDFJ9g3INAqEfQObk7otGSXBtjKdzaX7OW7BtgzYsJZOiIsjB8svED8pQtjMaOxyn/s2016/IMG_1279.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg664Hf0L4jYK5HuJdDw5J6wjlWfgg4yyNKAOBJyLIlUlsli5KBxo3AYPO0TIZjTYcbnVlLRQ78IT8KfOtK8Re6RyZVItSAdcIItsahgN1sXk2w4Z2LUsLYBRKqkD-oDFJ9g3INAqEfQObk7otGSXBtjKdzaX7OW7BtgzYsJZOiIsjB8svED8pQtjMaOxyn/w640-h480/IMG_1279.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derelict whaling ship</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg467SWOVjriwExAYpMDEmDaxON-zV4kSLNXECwKeEnnGQp_JcMvWidWcbt35l1C_Ky44zhp9SAADK5T1a0O62b7oLjTuXUDdIMael6rxUIfpBx6VGa3mVOCNd4MGZQq9FIyxXo8XDgdw3cE3OpRXnAdkTa8DMhbHmmMHhkNKpHpHUtuvahOyR4Kvv3ji0d/s2016/IMG_1282.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg467SWOVjriwExAYpMDEmDaxON-zV4kSLNXECwKeEnnGQp_JcMvWidWcbt35l1C_Ky44zhp9SAADK5T1a0O62b7oLjTuXUDdIMael6rxUIfpBx6VGa3mVOCNd4MGZQq9FIyxXo8XDgdw3cE3OpRXnAdkTa8DMhbHmmMHhkNKpHpHUtuvahOyR4Kvv3ji0d/w640-h480/IMG_1282.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old whaling station in Hawkes Bay. The most "successful" of the Labrador whaling stations, responsible for an estimated 25% of the total Labrador whaling catch between 1898 and 1972. At it's peak it was processing 10 to 15 whales daily. The station was finally shut down in 1959 after processing approximately 5,500 whales, and today is considered to be largely responsible for the reduction of Atlantic whale stocks, especially blue whales.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BUC-iNMAnaxX4SCpRxaHDtlEXqL4Pdeyv38BrbTYCiwmnwNGrkifM1IbM2Z8MLjvDBXouMH8J_9PcdSjYAGeoRsSNKCHw5jX6qu51UkzsmyjsHx42do0_UqpVzaZEDOOq2onMJXG6ykSGoGETpL5MFjSpNEfMLl8KJrqPJ9ygbbRkP2SH3Q2sU4zAL5l/s2016/IMG_1223.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BUC-iNMAnaxX4SCpRxaHDtlEXqL4Pdeyv38BrbTYCiwmnwNGrkifM1IbM2Z8MLjvDBXouMH8J_9PcdSjYAGeoRsSNKCHw5jX6qu51UkzsmyjsHx42do0_UqpVzaZEDOOq2onMJXG6ykSGoGETpL5MFjSpNEfMLl8KJrqPJ9ygbbRkP2SH3Q2sU4zAL5l/w400-h300/IMG_1223.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Hiking could be good, as most of the area is tundra like, with thick lichen and rock. Much like Iceland, bushwhacking and route finding is pretty straightforward. Find a hill and go up! But the mosquitoes......ah yes, the bloody mosquitoes!!! A force to be reckoned with!!!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcpc0xB9MAO-YHnvB6EeJPPtXUcj0wwMcr0w0yJCfUP9xbGevBetZThZZUEi4v2eQo9oCRERWbdsMM9b_5c6zmvAFELx73IWVrQ0UunLFY0vjOd69jGlYG1W-_7rADnlWlqrtTZ9vz2Xu0KqElDYXWw3AhCEeai2O9N8j_JCMVXIGjrj_7Sme5W62ZwsO/s5184/P7150205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcpc0xB9MAO-YHnvB6EeJPPtXUcj0wwMcr0w0yJCfUP9xbGevBetZThZZUEi4v2eQo9oCRERWbdsMM9b_5c6zmvAFELx73IWVrQ0UunLFY0vjOd69jGlYG1W-_7rADnlWlqrtTZ9vz2Xu0KqElDYXWw3AhCEeai2O9N8j_JCMVXIGjrj_7Sme5W62ZwsO/w640-h480/P7150205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qFYORu9NLHHouj9Lj6aqHqyh3hAa1Gyk64PrBfvCMkBuLGfNo2-XgsLvaiG5vJKUOyH3YpU2xD5nyuwNuHOgXtPYSSMxsKBMHaQjWLDspSldATXdgEYmn6AspmjZKqOtnR-lCOQxL6HVHfNZVzxNQIz5cwHnZsUY1rMI1j-1BYVTnkUVvydGxplZ7rC7/s2016/IMG_1278.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qFYORu9NLHHouj9Lj6aqHqyh3hAa1Gyk64PrBfvCMkBuLGfNo2-XgsLvaiG5vJKUOyH3YpU2xD5nyuwNuHOgXtPYSSMxsKBMHaQjWLDspSldATXdgEYmn6AspmjZKqOtnR-lCOQxL6HVHfNZVzxNQIz5cwHnZsUY1rMI1j-1BYVTnkUVvydGxplZ7rC7/w640-h480/IMG_1278.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME7F7OZcqXHqxKTcC31XlOct0moUAnUXcgMY06kNpDBJ-8nVcP50aV9NUvdCCk2dIvBbIzrPqr9-98rwUxVKLbjRJBg-9IBwUXvsjHJ86jDIGy3fJsJ8tmffnq4ZGQjwyCpyMyLk0wIQbGR6Y1Z_pw5GYj3XgkvNkWdw8iJv0L9hpi3yuh0VSo9vHTngz/s2016/IMG_1275.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME7F7OZcqXHqxKTcC31XlOct0moUAnUXcgMY06kNpDBJ-8nVcP50aV9NUvdCCk2dIvBbIzrPqr9-98rwUxVKLbjRJBg-9IBwUXvsjHJ86jDIGy3fJsJ8tmffnq4ZGQjwyCpyMyLk0wIQbGR6Y1Z_pw5GYj3XgkvNkWdw8iJv0L9hpi3yuh0VSo9vHTngz/w640-h480/IMG_1275.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mozzies on our screen door, waiting for a chance to dive below for dinner!!! Often we'd see over 15 lying in wait, the little bastards!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr05YJ3K5ZNWtWPZAj0CB6gYtXhHrBN4sxLZHcmgowUCg0SC304j1i4UJNaL29cUTj_r4BJHriUWOkM94-tZAamlO1G4b8MTDdQXhgaXhwow58NstyMW68HYWEnEcdULbtLU0hWvu4aYtn4gwkfoYl6N4QvYpKvUwt5PmPMfJzU3wamA7nTqa-Lp-K9nvA/s5184/P7150216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr05YJ3K5ZNWtWPZAj0CB6gYtXhHrBN4sxLZHcmgowUCg0SC304j1i4UJNaL29cUTj_r4BJHriUWOkM94-tZAamlO1G4b8MTDdQXhgaXhwow58NstyMW68HYWEnEcdULbtLU0hWvu4aYtn4gwkfoYl6N4QvYpKvUwt5PmPMfJzU3wamA7nTqa-Lp-K9nvA/w640-h480/P7150216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLwKPuGT-mA13Zfx-Tp1xeNpRUXjoxm8Rj2Gkv0lz_iaC0HOenu5ncvkPbwOs73ty90ytu2KmSLLZQU-pCqKN2Vn30KkaprtzotXkQctAE3idZNUE2894hMt7gMT2Fbgxk-iCzQaTUA-m70NFLvuKW8LX_eu_MUMq8sehqSc7FfJhanxlI9QVc1aAgu9j/s5184/P7150217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLwKPuGT-mA13Zfx-Tp1xeNpRUXjoxm8Rj2Gkv0lz_iaC0HOenu5ncvkPbwOs73ty90ytu2KmSLLZQU-pCqKN2Vn30KkaprtzotXkQctAE3idZNUE2894hMt7gMT2Fbgxk-iCzQaTUA-m70NFLvuKW8LX_eu_MUMq8sehqSc7FfJhanxlI9QVc1aAgu9j/w640-h480/P7150217.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wildlife</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The wildlife, at least in the southern portion of Labrador, was not as plentiful as we've seen in Alaska or British Columbia. We saw several minke whales, a couple of gray seals, lots of puffins and other sea birds, and just one very healthy looking black bear. One of our goals for the trip was to photograph polar bears as Labrador is known for it's large and growing population. Unfortunately they had already moved quite a bit further north than we had the time to go, as they come down during the winter on the pack ice to follow the seals, and head back north in the spring and early summer as the ice melts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyaMl9ISP0YUfChhr3jqD_-ybNHOwkHdrumqRSm0_g21UxDuCi8NN6hlc4OsBsAh62dXHExXViMz4LhHaFvfXectJtBRdAQIb9x7J9_dBx9uG3GMHkYIS_M2seMiIFyGyGHuDw4Ml2C0-a7drR8qFZQ15oipFY4mwzzC_ota0SZ97If7e0emBy5Hj_kDG/s1902/P7150244-Edit-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="1902" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyaMl9ISP0YUfChhr3jqD_-ybNHOwkHdrumqRSm0_g21UxDuCi8NN6hlc4OsBsAh62dXHExXViMz4LhHaFvfXectJtBRdAQIb9x7J9_dBx9uG3GMHkYIS_M2seMiIFyGyGHuDw4Ml2C0-a7drR8qFZQ15oipFY4mwzzC_ota0SZ97If7e0emBy5Hj_kDG/w640-h438/P7150244-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoMqX7Dp2kwv1mzdb5CJYBvtqPWOAkz6WBrkc4_2ZdKls7l5nDZx9xorCECtAThqVDiwonJg8mmHTnBcrnm-9AwX1kOTOYP9CNC4ycI7JKTFxFZGqHT2ZTNZ6Fhmq_u-P1ymo0X0Ccid5J4-bhyu7ZB4-LkoAtv5Ixfu6PG4-q-xFzlzN98hZWM3mMn1n/s2645/P7190405-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="2645" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoMqX7Dp2kwv1mzdb5CJYBvtqPWOAkz6WBrkc4_2ZdKls7l5nDZx9xorCECtAThqVDiwonJg8mmHTnBcrnm-9AwX1kOTOYP9CNC4ycI7JKTFxFZGqHT2ZTNZ6Fhmq_u-P1ymo0X0Ccid5J4-bhyu7ZB4-LkoAtv5Ixfu6PG4-q-xFzlzN98hZWM3mMn1n/w640-h476/P7190405-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D6bBIHHinVFXSJIlvTLyOaztF65Yd2Gw-O940S_ZO1urrhB2NA4Aaiqeu7a6bvbVI415cwiG7-QqJmLvEldBqdnkzPZWhte_IYNSN5JN-3bYDBs46ykXPs4g3trnplSLSLGzrNM7aNmTI7kQIATF35M7ryee1VqZj5t76DN3nfXNs12-AvIH8VwEs_L0/s3166/P7190427-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="3166" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D6bBIHHinVFXSJIlvTLyOaztF65Yd2Gw-O940S_ZO1urrhB2NA4Aaiqeu7a6bvbVI415cwiG7-QqJmLvEldBqdnkzPZWhte_IYNSN5JN-3bYDBs46ykXPs4g3trnplSLSLGzrNM7aNmTI7kQIATF35M7ryee1VqZj5t76DN3nfXNs12-AvIH8VwEs_L0/w640-h414/P7190427-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The puffins were very skittish when we tried to approach by boat. Much more shy than those we enjoyed in Iceland a couple of years ago.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAT1SElPSqF54is8IO3xlVjDW0AQPv6jIdBAdTTp_4Y0mv8dSTio0ZT5KVkQgtZeg0e9T0nlk6tLR2NPyY5hv8Q17zBmPwj6bxRgbKHLN93zzXxsZ163SYIdPrSzdjav08lXMYQdkseQ6V97as32cUqiloB9BrUQpUE6zwL9qQ99FzDMIU7eB0xzS_uLgJ/s3176/P7230670.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1742" data-original-width="3176" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAT1SElPSqF54is8IO3xlVjDW0AQPv6jIdBAdTTp_4Y0mv8dSTio0ZT5KVkQgtZeg0e9T0nlk6tLR2NPyY5hv8Q17zBmPwj6bxRgbKHLN93zzXxsZ163SYIdPrSzdjav08lXMYQdkseQ6V97as32cUqiloB9BrUQpUE6zwL9qQ99FzDMIU7eB0xzS_uLgJ/w640-h352/P7230670.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of healthy looking grey seals stayed with us for a day at Eagle Cove. Hopefully they remain safe from polar bears and the annual seal hunt, which Canada still allows. A quota of 40,000 is hunted every winter, mostly on the eastern Newfoundland shore.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpc2EWUEP4VZmXyvjy2Q9iv9dTvzZnY-Ct_IDjRkE5EwdnT3Es9dWZfTrYSs2ZIVyvRGAyQww_4aZlepfS_NS7n_2V7GAJiwTvnxuMMKREQUa6yk3fpHAmrF8Wf_IJgJX0hvgH0au5RH_m7r_n8b6OX9Fat1JePKfkZTOef69Y0UZdWrPw6uTaepzZtaM/s3138/P7230698.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2234" data-original-width="3138" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpc2EWUEP4VZmXyvjy2Q9iv9dTvzZnY-Ct_IDjRkE5EwdnT3Es9dWZfTrYSs2ZIVyvRGAyQww_4aZlepfS_NS7n_2V7GAJiwTvnxuMMKREQUa6yk3fpHAmrF8Wf_IJgJX0hvgH0au5RH_m7r_n8b6OX9Fat1JePKfkZTOef69Y0UZdWrPw6uTaepzZtaM/w640-h456/P7230698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2RF1hAY6AuiIveCXH5RDwAZTGnJqQlEhupZuWwVZkYVwejSM_DEAQG-vgdRmY1bm8KK-A7gqZMtC-ctn5icOGfdnEOX_khEKaN2CP0voTheU7zf2fQekPxsylUU9rcTndmbaoMZArLT921Soe6lG91dXvZ1O9rQr0KcdPnIb-tUNkAuOGK08NXvKzyuz/s2185/P7090016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="2185" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2RF1hAY6AuiIveCXH5RDwAZTGnJqQlEhupZuWwVZkYVwejSM_DEAQG-vgdRmY1bm8KK-A7gqZMtC-ctn5icOGfdnEOX_khEKaN2CP0voTheU7zf2fQekPxsylUU9rcTndmbaoMZArLT921Soe6lG91dXvZ1O9rQr0KcdPnIb-tUNkAuOGK08NXvKzyuz/w640-h430/P7090016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Battle Harbor</b></span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-L9-nNCNJCRNCg1U5xdipOI9Q_ANYsaBMV_1CQ6DkfUeil-LPM6cKHV6pOi3-ovxIYbiXUO5JoHBvDL1jY4v4VqQ1i1NE-YxHfsSdAKPMh51O3Bo7PoKKAx9e1rSgr_b9_HgJ6J1OWBJ8RJNNeBa4qxM-zBh6KCDgNXXQpIVE2YKrhswu5gD2z_elKQF/s2016/IMG_1192.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-L9-nNCNJCRNCg1U5xdipOI9Q_ANYsaBMV_1CQ6DkfUeil-LPM6cKHV6pOi3-ovxIYbiXUO5JoHBvDL1jY4v4VqQ1i1NE-YxHfsSdAKPMh51O3Bo7PoKKAx9e1rSgr_b9_HgJ6J1OWBJ8RJNNeBa4qxM-zBh6KCDgNXXQpIVE2YKrhswu5gD2z_elKQF/w400-h300/IMG_1192.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We enjoyed a visit to Battle Harbour, a historic whaling and sealing port. At one time it was the largest community in Labrador, and was considered the unofficial "Capitol of Labrador" for nearly 200 years. In 1892 Dr. Wilfred Grenfell built a hospital here, the first in Labrador with a year round doctor. Also there was a large radio telegraph station, providing communications with the world outside Labrador. Robert Peary came here on his way from his polar expedition to announce to the world that he was the first person to reach the North Pole. Then, with the decline of the cod fishery, it was largely abandoned in the mid 1960's as part of the government's resettlement program.</div><div><br /></div><div>A group, the Battle Harbour Historic Trust was formed to preserve the village, and today operates it as a sort of museum, dedicated to the commemoration of the life and society of the life created here by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. It was designated a National Historic site in 1996.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjVmyOcGolKLWDULez1VESadTlt5ssL53PvG2Vn-L5aGnUSNzfSiDr91gpyJOlO4jt0bkg3LO-H4PoCJgn2bL4O3LSJe_kmGTP8edzgphE79wwnRUgJgD6dMsQ-gzURKJjm2rz_O06f4XPHnzUkEUseJ5fFXXYF8_8ZgpkpEkR6M5lCJgtH3UQ-VmLWJv/s5184/P7120159.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjVmyOcGolKLWDULez1VESadTlt5ssL53PvG2Vn-L5aGnUSNzfSiDr91gpyJOlO4jt0bkg3LO-H4PoCJgn2bL4O3LSJe_kmGTP8edzgphE79wwnRUgJgD6dMsQ-gzURKJjm2rz_O06f4XPHnzUkEUseJ5fFXXYF8_8ZgpkpEkR6M5lCJgtH3UQ-VmLWJv/w300-h400/P7120159.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Today the settlement is very well preserved. Repairs to the structures are done in keeping with the original methods and materials, and visitors to the island (accessible only by boat) get a real sense of what life was life in this once thriving remote fishing outpost. Many of the buildings are equipped as they would have been when used for fishing for 200 years. There is a small dock which could barely accommodate Bravo, but all worked out fine.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39JWF254LYyWFz2MHy89MIEKMPc5uyNFzR5pArwSez5U7Rr5Tm0vUyR9_dfz4taVd40r37tEBb3Mmp0nu7l5BdMzPNI2uIeVHA6ao4iXzWnj4c3pvjy9x64MZf0iRm5ndV0yML0ndTQFbkYlqS3KiTKw30r3pGbWskUTQMjcDTqG_eQEbVb_3yNy4ZTU0/s5184/P7110108-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39JWF254LYyWFz2MHy89MIEKMPc5uyNFzR5pArwSez5U7Rr5Tm0vUyR9_dfz4taVd40r37tEBb3Mmp0nu7l5BdMzPNI2uIeVHA6ao4iXzWnj4c3pvjy9x64MZf0iRm5ndV0yML0ndTQFbkYlqS3KiTKw30r3pGbWskUTQMjcDTqG_eQEbVb_3yNy4ZTU0/w640-h480/P7110108-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiXGGCmKcblXEdeYjAKhyA7OcVkKot-sQD3CNUN5Pk7ukR8rR6QG3_VUrdXQjW1hq2Tm5iiAoCKuwRlTB-ekfpA0UC31CYsYMATJULCbxZQJITvI3DubgWeQHeBXbWzR4nAEYPB7UFRayNInhnHD_hzjLvn-gABi8ICiXfTvLlHsJH0CNkqPUBf-BiSAs/s5104/P7120150.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="5104" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiXGGCmKcblXEdeYjAKhyA7OcVkKot-sQD3CNUN5Pk7ukR8rR6QG3_VUrdXQjW1hq2Tm5iiAoCKuwRlTB-ekfpA0UC31CYsYMATJULCbxZQJITvI3DubgWeQHeBXbWzR4nAEYPB7UFRayNInhnHD_hzjLvn-gABi8ICiXfTvLlHsJH0CNkqPUBf-BiSAs/w640-h454/P7120150.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remaining towers of old Marconi station, in operation until mid 1960's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisokhNbtlm87Ss9RETWozjtKftwbnZm3VmR8JTNS1si6Rduj9uJ4I5Yog1Tm0aWkY7cqs2QloAnLCCOvLMC7ZXkI8JSzC8qTdc3YNamhXbtNsECdeRzLylibFDpjXUti5ujfaedVHb75Tpbh6v3JJfFxZ5qKgSWmUJvIjAjXPAyBfcio81T-LY57I3wXDF/s2016/IMG_1187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisokhNbtlm87Ss9RETWozjtKftwbnZm3VmR8JTNS1si6Rduj9uJ4I5Yog1Tm0aWkY7cqs2QloAnLCCOvLMC7ZXkI8JSzC8qTdc3YNamhXbtNsECdeRzLylibFDpjXUti5ujfaedVHb75Tpbh6v3JJfFxZ5qKgSWmUJvIjAjXPAyBfcio81T-LY57I3wXDF/w640-h480/IMG_1187.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hg2C154aiHxcYM0SSsYmTOfQRaB2BxF6jjo1tqMM7S__DEe7C0ffw7GyAQ20tDRuRc1dYD1TyJqpmGvSDvNpLP1IGAKwSEe1NhcRZigEa7L9MB2AIzUh_WWkXfHw7eN9j6oqcH2yD9LHA7-iCQOH1YxURb2bRPyyGC-aufMAaPYCxPRBjgP1oWMC1FG0/s2016/IMG_1198.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hg2C154aiHxcYM0SSsYmTOfQRaB2BxF6jjo1tqMM7S__DEe7C0ffw7GyAQ20tDRuRc1dYD1TyJqpmGvSDvNpLP1IGAKwSEe1NhcRZigEa7L9MB2AIzUh_WWkXfHw7eN9j6oqcH2yD9LHA7-iCQOH1YxURb2bRPyyGC-aufMAaPYCxPRBjgP1oWMC1FG0/w640-h480/IMG_1198.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We're now back in Newfoundland, in the Gros Morne National Park. We'll head south as the weather allows, as we'll be meeting Seattle cruising friends Dan and Kristi in Port aux Basque on Newfoundland's SW corner. We'll then spend a couple of weeks exploring the fjords of the south coast, reported to be beautiful.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-84126841673763818002023-07-07T06:55:00.000+12:002023-07-07T06:55:05.004+12:00OH, CANADA!! part 1<p>After a long winter of expensive refit work on BRAVO, encompassing both repairs and upgrades, we finally launched from Maine Yacht Center in May, and left Maine in early June. It felt great to get underway, and we headed straight to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to clear customs and immigration. (The process took a bit longer than usual, as we are packing a firearm for polar bear protection up north, and 3 agents came aboard for a thorough full boat inspection....no problem, all was on the up and up).</p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcd1uQ-iWiP4A-vcc9ZQJr9AXfX0tPdzMgBqTUttr6MXgjyglyKR8nFElsLaingPu6QV1zI_OPk_j0W1xvQK30Xuldp5aFttWIB5j6g_9ofeWxa61pZ1Rijrwaj77-0_8eETc_cBvP5JshQoYwneAms5DUVhSKXf2WdnI9hg6ZF0o0katc_kRTWv2sNLa/s5115/P6080029-Edit-Edit-2-Edit.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3836" data-original-width="5115" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcd1uQ-iWiP4A-vcc9ZQJr9AXfX0tPdzMgBqTUttr6MXgjyglyKR8nFElsLaingPu6QV1zI_OPk_j0W1xvQK30Xuldp5aFttWIB5j6g_9ofeWxa61pZ1Rijrwaj77-0_8eETc_cBvP5JshQoYwneAms5DUVhSKXf2WdnI9hg6ZF0o0katc_kRTWv2sNLa/w640-h480/P6080029-Edit-Edit-2-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arctic exploration schooner Bowdoin arriving at the town pier. The schooner is now used as a training ship for maritime college students, and is heading up to Labrador. They had planned on heading to Greenland, but we heard she turned back due to heavy pack ice.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We really like Lunenburg, with it's history of wooden boat building and the schooner trade. The town has been well preserved, and it's easy to squint your eyes and imagine how it must have been 100 years ago, with the bay packed with schooners bound for the Grand Banks cod fishing grounds. It was also a good social time, with a rendezvous with OCC members Brian and Helen on SV Helacious.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLaAHDA_mCFnsLJhRkzSArN8H-6PmnDB_2ce8ddBw_I3MFdAqE3cUDPWofUvC0AxdaLp535CSPJQsTvMY11IzKBWXx0bbXZZ2-Aozb7bbQGk3BbVbbD9jE66YHf-FeuidzDx3E0eKJ-p-iNRjdvkatF5Rn3ALCSgevzplvLEOhiiQNbWB6TME8vkF0Hic/s4839/P6080019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3629" data-original-width="4839" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLaAHDA_mCFnsLJhRkzSArN8H-6PmnDB_2ce8ddBw_I3MFdAqE3cUDPWofUvC0AxdaLp535CSPJQsTvMY11IzKBWXx0bbXZZ2-Aozb7bbQGk3BbVbbD9jE66YHf-FeuidzDx3E0eKJ-p-iNRjdvkatF5Rn3ALCSgevzplvLEOhiiQNbWB6TME8vkF0Hic/w640-h480/P6080019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqQmS5cHu8buVxWBopeYAqwpdMLFSGkC6u7RV8eu9urCgR6IZuMiLiwa87ankUL18taDWiImzcZYWXsLBDzaj88MHzJSiOX_Fb4N81zyn0TzoKG8eb5vkqVspN21LWk-q2JcTa9A1zJ3Ig2fef-HxRSCK00baSjF21jwCvqDpoWPgqFbgygYW6Jgbq0rm/s5006/P6100035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3754" data-original-width="5006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqQmS5cHu8buVxWBopeYAqwpdMLFSGkC6u7RV8eu9urCgR6IZuMiLiwa87ankUL18taDWiImzcZYWXsLBDzaj88MHzJSiOX_Fb4N81zyn0TzoKG8eb5vkqVspN21LWk-q2JcTa9A1zJ3Ig2fef-HxRSCK00baSjF21jwCvqDpoWPgqFbgygYW6Jgbq0rm/w640-h480/P6100035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoi8e0drFW1rS2sdot4Wmo5P0JY5Gt4hRANcrL27kn-6PfsuRJcRxIZAeYgrNCzG3c8H7KdvczLGxkvloe68GtDTuEMyRKngcuHp6uC7ie1B6fZQQuiI6GwUZz26j7VasNNcJ9xokHa6m2nd7rLE7On0cuoFpbvleGCDrjnPYEKbPbfk5-AM1Oqu1b2YI/s1600/IMG-20230626-WA0000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoi8e0drFW1rS2sdot4Wmo5P0JY5Gt4hRANcrL27kn-6PfsuRJcRxIZAeYgrNCzG3c8H7KdvczLGxkvloe68GtDTuEMyRKngcuHp6uC7ie1B6fZQQuiI6GwUZz26j7VasNNcJ9xokHa6m2nd7rLE7On0cuoFpbvleGCDrjnPYEKbPbfk5-AM1Oqu1b2YI/w400-h300/IMG-20230626-WA0000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Then, after spending a few days in Halifax (good to see Sebastien again, from Boreal SV Dutch!) we headed up to Bras d'Or Lake, our turn around point for last summer's cruising season. This time we didn't spend much time there, and headed quickly out of the lake, as we were eager to get to Newfoundland. On the way we stopped at Kelly's Cove, where we met the crews of SV Chula and SV Sentijn, and on to Ingonish Harbor, for a good hike up to the top of the ski area. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0BXf2WVjRAx6P_Omj2eOSx1fl941yXQ2I82d7Xznfe-B0cAzwYbE0z3IUTDXuqzObf-Nin7Lged9Qmw5XO2NWKHO9FQ_oOclL7ys5EKZNJu6Dh-bklJZ14gIA--ug9m3ZC6S24XMqjVr3uZza4vYIzUV1d6n8hROuhkIyMSBB2Myk-wfdm4Im_K9b85i/s4948/P6210069.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2710" data-original-width="4948" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0BXf2WVjRAx6P_Omj2eOSx1fl941yXQ2I82d7Xznfe-B0cAzwYbE0z3IUTDXuqzObf-Nin7Lged9Qmw5XO2NWKHO9FQ_oOclL7ys5EKZNJu6Dh-bklJZ14gIA--ug9m3ZC6S24XMqjVr3uZza4vYIzUV1d6n8hROuhkIyMSBB2Myk-wfdm4Im_K9b85i/w640-h350/P6210069.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from top of ski area at Ingonish, Bravo and Chula anchored down below</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQbxELFEmiDd-b7dzA4GmCw6BhTbi1nDMrfB-uadytYHVma-funaeS8yiQtNvTTD2UJLhKxx809uNvkKSQ5Hxiw5JpIbgucwoDupHTcbY3s1RuQXR9SypBORhEcMvMPVC_leYf3DY9Qb8r2FJexcYGx89ECFsUAeHzp7y3Ern6fAAwxsdlnD64pqVwMyH/s1921/P6260074.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1921" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQbxELFEmiDd-b7dzA4GmCw6BhTbi1nDMrfB-uadytYHVma-funaeS8yiQtNvTTD2UJLhKxx809uNvkKSQ5Hxiw5JpIbgucwoDupHTcbY3s1RuQXR9SypBORhEcMvMPVC_leYf3DY9Qb8r2FJexcYGx89ECFsUAeHzp7y3Ern6fAAwxsdlnD64pqVwMyH/w400-h263/P6260074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigation buoys normally marking the channel!!!</td></tr></tbody></table>The crossing of the Cabot Strait can be a sporty one, but we had a good window. We got in some good sailing, and a fair bit of motoring when the winds died. Ended up after a couple of days in the Bay of Islands on Newfoundland's west coast. It was a beautiful place, and we anchored for a few days in the little "bay within a bay", in the middle of Woods Island in the B of I. Had a great hike around the south side of the island, passing through many abandoned cabins and settlements.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBre-WV9xvh4Bktkg8r6Jc0IvI_OSNRp3qpOVqYTCfc2KZAaw2BlFa33YXTwn1A3I6Q0VNtlfC-hmTzOVrrtURXHI6vaz2ZNg5ZUoxcgjviy3dzDkWUAWuajZfLgy2oOtE86n3CegLxfAioHpq6grv9eBhCRRy3NmBliVraVjQMVo4FcWAJhOmJ77ZI0Z2/s5184/P6260078.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2979" data-original-width="5184" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBre-WV9xvh4Bktkg8r6Jc0IvI_OSNRp3qpOVqYTCfc2KZAaw2BlFa33YXTwn1A3I6Q0VNtlfC-hmTzOVrrtURXHI6vaz2ZNg5ZUoxcgjviy3dzDkWUAWuajZfLgy2oOtE86n3CegLxfAioHpq6grv9eBhCRRy3NmBliVraVjQMVo4FcWAJhOmJ77ZI0Z2/w400-h230/P6260078.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Here was our first exposure to the Canadian government's resettlement program. From the 1950's through the 1970's, this was an effort by the government to get people to move from the many tiny villages and communities of Newfoundland and Labrador to the larger towns and cities, as a way of saving money on services to the remote settlements. They offered some financial incentive to get people to relocate, and as a result, the coasts of N&L have many abandoned cabins and fishing outposts where people simply up and left. It's eerie to walk through these areas where there are no longer any people living their previous lives. Apparently there were over 300 communities, with over 30,000 people who moved voluntarily to their new lives. (The government would not force people to move, but would no longer service the communities with power, water, transport, etc).<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUfkJZmEAcXUxUmRd82qZL4JYJDgGX2wmHOrQAc2Lrcm8-0A3PIa8VsplcjLNco7wywfOpt5iDBQfg7ZW-KV_hJhGcaU1oEgawFClSnEJCNTYA7rjEaaAjlUF3ExkHjYiyPxO-whN38lEJCWo4A-NKPlOQ6NXA-71FVKCjC94PkTPvddXnR79OJ9urrdF/s4857/P6260082.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3643" data-original-width="4857" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUfkJZmEAcXUxUmRd82qZL4JYJDgGX2wmHOrQAc2Lrcm8-0A3PIa8VsplcjLNco7wywfOpt5iDBQfg7ZW-KV_hJhGcaU1oEgawFClSnEJCNTYA7rjEaaAjlUF3ExkHjYiyPxO-whN38lEJCWo4A-NKPlOQ6NXA-71FVKCjC94PkTPvddXnR79OJ9urrdF/w400-h300/P6260082.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpceN-qrHqp07PGLOcWpSRfitGX9SX3ImqZWkSBYrV7UfrJSF-z7Ib2lKbcOSJ5qARXOcVBMNY6J9v6kMoQcCZXVyknNn8y2CZ4PZE-HRSSFtUAs3q581ngwRIBYZJxCybluzehYlA7AWkpqoNDJYvnitYvEqBW6D7MlsskiYsn6P9w1auZFJ7AE6DSFf/s4789/P6290093.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2926" data-original-width="4789" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpceN-qrHqp07PGLOcWpSRfitGX9SX3ImqZWkSBYrV7UfrJSF-z7Ib2lKbcOSJ5qARXOcVBMNY6J9v6kMoQcCZXVyknNn8y2CZ4PZE-HRSSFtUAs3q581ngwRIBYZJxCybluzehYlA7AWkpqoNDJYvnitYvEqBW6D7MlsskiYsn6P9w1auZFJ7AE6DSFf/w640-h392/P6290093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRLqE42OEd65rpmdLQsXjxi4aOGgjfuy26d8GNR5sQkgFo6qQ-j8PsGLD_fpcVnmUuJD7r2gw7SCltbw4dtiJkdeF_tcrIXdcoLv5Kc71I1QU-UGPzfGJwzS9MfeH79TAsrzbmUfuhRq4NqqkSyJJwP7W0HrGitAMJ64TZrmij--iXy5-u4zJU6EM9Uyl/s5041/P6290097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3781" data-original-width="5041" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRLqE42OEd65rpmdLQsXjxi4aOGgjfuy26d8GNR5sQkgFo6qQ-j8PsGLD_fpcVnmUuJD7r2gw7SCltbw4dtiJkdeF_tcrIXdcoLv5Kc71I1QU-UGPzfGJwzS9MfeH79TAsrzbmUfuhRq4NqqkSyJJwP7W0HrGitAMJ64TZrmij--iXy5-u4zJU6EM9Uyl/w640-h480/P6290097.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIj57EC9UwDR8LipNKy_GZbn1C68w6J_xdNKHNfmSKaDPmh20u9_4RnfiX07lISxCaLZqcHRulLZZHJO6rrCCzDEmQO6Q--i91JqMwgE46SYjNi98V3_vZJ2pHWbjnhMnEkXVzFlh2GMo4XfxgvRi3MhBl0CWyvNMjKEunvRv9nBGUzuD9XizVNMT0StV4/s2376/P6300116.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="2376" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIj57EC9UwDR8LipNKy_GZbn1C68w6J_xdNKHNfmSKaDPmh20u9_4RnfiX07lISxCaLZqcHRulLZZHJO6rrCCzDEmQO6Q--i91JqMwgE46SYjNi98V3_vZJ2pHWbjnhMnEkXVzFlh2GMo4XfxgvRi3MhBl0CWyvNMjKEunvRv9nBGUzuD9XizVNMT0StV4/w400-h265/P6300116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After a few days at Woods Island we headed north to Bonne Bay, in the heart of Gros Morne National Park. It's a beautiful area, with deep fjords cut by the glaciers extending for miles inland. We anchored at Lomond River, where we could catch some hiking trails. The hiking proved to be good but muddy after a couple of days of hard rain. No problem for the major wildlife we saw.....frogs on the trail and a minke whale who enjoyed fishing around the boat a few times over the couple of days we spent here. Nice!<p></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EV7CyqQUtCZA9KTVKZGM5y4C8cdwWf6mP3AeRKj9ntKgj5hItJj1Ck3ITNOzqxoeuAsSExI0iTXP3-xVylofZsMPDYducHXdB9feKQUzakO1LVwC0oO9XQ8ClE3HA1kVAkd5pRxJz-BBNLFK6qzr6oVjXy0ScKXDNXFlE0j6Ik5WpFVjE-8A68u2HqwH/s1925/P7010167-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1925" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EV7CyqQUtCZA9KTVKZGM5y4C8cdwWf6mP3AeRKj9ntKgj5hItJj1Ck3ITNOzqxoeuAsSExI0iTXP3-xVylofZsMPDYducHXdB9feKQUzakO1LVwC0oO9XQ8ClE3HA1kVAkd5pRxJz-BBNLFK6qzr6oVjXy0ScKXDNXFlE0j6Ik5WpFVjE-8A68u2HqwH/w640-h356/P7010167-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're also in peak wildflower season, and everywhere we hike they've been putting on a great show!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWl5ZIR-NTUtZro1IW8JrVvopKvP51qe_dxzh9jgDI1TS3a55n0pFs1PPV3q_ZWf485HP3BO5fzBvXDI-rRSNlj0MfnHOqiFZM6TRyHMAJaKm0mEEcoqE3MCJrVQy1KwYXICRxJ9b-Qf3z2hmTqCa5dkraOec1yQJ9knsrFbSBC2_SDhjjDqRpjNmeao1/s4908/P6300113.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="4908" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWl5ZIR-NTUtZro1IW8JrVvopKvP51qe_dxzh9jgDI1TS3a55n0pFs1PPV3q_ZWf485HP3BO5fzBvXDI-rRSNlj0MfnHOqiFZM6TRyHMAJaKm0mEEcoqE3MCJrVQy1KwYXICRxJ9b-Qf3z2hmTqCa5dkraOec1yQJ9knsrFbSBC2_SDhjjDqRpjNmeao1/w640-h506/P6300113.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue flag iris</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8MPJdm4zFKKu2L6AAnKbQO2jnvyzkw9e256htqFgC7b0n7D4c9vzeAJE5JpSdPIpvBs_q9-FuaqkXMpywm_FL3hOyNjowSDkKoNV9Ut5QFnFv2SmiXJ9ztsSLjzF6Zq5Vj3fLdOXcEQemVwAJ7jw-QG-W9FnfyTmoLyn9182r_YGQOFjzdcjffaWkhcR/s2767/P6300119-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2767" data-original-width="2553" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8MPJdm4zFKKu2L6AAnKbQO2jnvyzkw9e256htqFgC7b0n7D4c9vzeAJE5JpSdPIpvBs_q9-FuaqkXMpywm_FL3hOyNjowSDkKoNV9Ut5QFnFv2SmiXJ9ztsSLjzF6Zq5Vj3fLdOXcEQemVwAJ7jw-QG-W9FnfyTmoLyn9182r_YGQOFjzdcjffaWkhcR/w590-h640/P6300119-Edit.jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showy lady's slipper</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTK2oZY-F2-mjES-GaHyd8oJRJkcbIaFY4_E_upKYkda-SGrc9tedehVItw54tgegyMySXqrEuWemehFcpCQARCmmnYugVRt7h-pJk8U5j_yKJN4e7Z4gAOcqO0y8xqSC48rjH-sSq6x6TWU-UnzDdjvNTlEvRF2g5iIkLZ6exy_60qoW50cLKnbuv4cU/s640/IMG_1081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTK2oZY-F2-mjES-GaHyd8oJRJkcbIaFY4_E_upKYkda-SGrc9tedehVItw54tgegyMySXqrEuWemehFcpCQARCmmnYugVRt7h-pJk8U5j_yKJN4e7Z4gAOcqO0y8xqSC48rjH-sSq6x6TWU-UnzDdjvNTlEvRF2g5iIkLZ6exy_60qoW50cLKnbuv4cU/w640-h480/IMG_1081.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nRMzVvC-Yzehviumyn7f97rB4uh0YZ96RnWozL6pD7tECm1RG2ZCYfQ59ng8ON8rI9iX8vJXzXDrvTI_US09LkkcpzgRFsIrp_zkxrxWsVQuyda3jEOJecnNOdYG1Xz6AFOFo80gM4HtEsEqidfUiI4Dfo5kkDzYD6CiZC639V10ERTuU50zK2E9DPk7/s640/IMG_1082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nRMzVvC-Yzehviumyn7f97rB4uh0YZ96RnWozL6pD7tECm1RG2ZCYfQ59ng8ON8rI9iX8vJXzXDrvTI_US09LkkcpzgRFsIrp_zkxrxWsVQuyda3jEOJecnNOdYG1Xz6AFOFo80gM4HtEsEqidfUiI4Dfo5kkDzYD6CiZC639V10ERTuU50zK2E9DPk7/w640-h480/IMG_1082.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVtSNr09rdUUftWZ0B1WQwJRlpW2m2M2G3cJwcUe0Legj7LjAT4PaHRoKOzEkS9iDhAeJUTXSXMXiWUHchk50KT-Omp5D2ubPu2ng6CdNHba5IdLbvOs4xMOfz8Rrhf4GtlJ4sGodu8fVAj4EjI9aHVs8r6RYwDx3n_ES383sQQ-OZxM3-SPBYguptb--/s5104/P6290109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3828" data-original-width="5104" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVtSNr09rdUUftWZ0B1WQwJRlpW2m2M2G3cJwcUe0Legj7LjAT4PaHRoKOzEkS9iDhAeJUTXSXMXiWUHchk50KT-Omp5D2ubPu2ng6CdNHba5IdLbvOs4xMOfz8Rrhf4GtlJ4sGodu8fVAj4EjI9aHVs8r6RYwDx3n_ES383sQQ-OZxM3-SPBYguptb--/w640-h480/P6290109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYK8Z18J2XqFNsFOjaVWdVGoMs3Ad0p-sBOAoSBOJKVwQski9fAlDdKhvkLU18wuW3eonVMWT6ccUCIS5LM8pBVocNUvCDhMGFu0P6AzdsS2u2HGBBx3KlcSsePqbH3szfXqPC23OTIYCvQ9Tca4P1QcGEDD2f7arUqClZF-YW2XpGBDRH08O62hXZT8X/s4972/P7010161-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3729" data-original-width="4972" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYK8Z18J2XqFNsFOjaVWdVGoMs3Ad0p-sBOAoSBOJKVwQski9fAlDdKhvkLU18wuW3eonVMWT6ccUCIS5LM8pBVocNUvCDhMGFu0P6AzdsS2u2HGBBx3KlcSsePqbH3szfXqPC23OTIYCvQ9Tca4P1QcGEDD2f7arUqClZF-YW2XpGBDRH08O62hXZT8X/w640-h480/P7010161-Edit-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>We continued north east up the coast from Bonne Bay to the fishing village of Port Au Choix. Again a mix of motoring and sailing, the final 30 miles of this stretch was in dense, pea soup fog. Visibility was no more than 200 meters, often less, as we could see the mist swirling around the bow of the boat. No fun entering the tight fishing harbor in the fog and trying to find a spot on the sea wall to tie up. Happily while we were debating our alternatives (none obvious, or good!), a couple of fishermen motioned to a vacant section of wall in the corner of the basin where we could tie up. Sweet!<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kkh_bUE1s25HUkScY0yzpjI-B5ABVZk0eDsZRWfOgCp7e0ZhAJ1ab8loNTW7lo18t4aCAMqr3cO4R2rnO399jh-t4qtisj_4tRSomrA_1DgoS9MpISGyxPhWOIyO5i9IGTz4mtD1UuukirdEQiblfy2BZPDVh4gm2NOXfjfSz9E-nATCpM0drufE84LG/s640/IMG_1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kkh_bUE1s25HUkScY0yzpjI-B5ABVZk0eDsZRWfOgCp7e0ZhAJ1ab8loNTW7lo18t4aCAMqr3cO4R2rnO399jh-t4qtisj_4tRSomrA_1DgoS9MpISGyxPhWOIyO5i9IGTz4mtD1UuukirdEQiblfy2BZPDVh4gm2NOXfjfSz9E-nATCpM0drufE84LG/w640-h480/IMG_1095.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QwZlRDcDLx9SvPcQdJksKIlqrgp4GbxGbJL--hE6JgJxqqn9hgVxSJcxDg9P_McrqPa3vj-fSH4ciUozReEsCUnA1eQyoxIo5QZfht0nFc72WP-b-9Da70Iug1Igdk_arISvFwg2e7c7omTLos0ojzhsAlboqmg3uWRIaMVJSg6jg6a8_H1rcQ3_QxHA/s457/IMG_1092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="457" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QwZlRDcDLx9SvPcQdJksKIlqrgp4GbxGbJL--hE6JgJxqqn9hgVxSJcxDg9P_McrqPa3vj-fSH4ciUozReEsCUnA1eQyoxIo5QZfht0nFc72WP-b-9Da70Iug1Igdk_arISvFwg2e7c7omTLos0ojzhsAlboqmg3uWRIaMVJSg6jg6a8_H1rcQ3_QxHA/w400-h281/IMG_1092.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Port Au Choix is purely a fishing harbor. We're the only pleasure boat here, and as such, a bit of a novelty. People have been incredibly friendly everywhere in Newfoundland. For example, as I was walking back to the boat yesterday, one guy offered us use of his truck if we need it. And this morning, a fisherman just in front of us on the dock knocked on the boat to tell us that he's not going out today because it's too rough, so he offered us a ride anywhere if we need supplies. And then later, a guy loaned us his truck to go get some diesel in our jerry cans. Nice.....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We were talking to one 90 year old character. He had an interesting story of growing up in Red Bay, just a bit north of here in Labrador. He is part Innuit, and was born with the help of a midwife who made her rounds by dog sled. His family also got around with their dog teams. The midwife raised a herd of goats, so she carried goat's milk to feed the infants if needed. Everyone ate what they hunted; caribou, seal, birds, and other small game. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdVvpsuRPJ9tnUIIfCTvLAfwle_kWCTrmzakEn2iRig6bSF1TNmq0Ldz-VJOA5hy0RKsVe5g516uw28E2FNs1HpthfSisl29l3CKGwmJOW_mUf3S8e6us0yDyw7Wit4UelVbcyZcQBDMBwiE-e1tUm0NL1YzObzNWrSbxPptvrteSy8fmzRtK8L1QtOul/s5020/P7030176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2745" data-original-width="5020" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdVvpsuRPJ9tnUIIfCTvLAfwle_kWCTrmzakEn2iRig6bSF1TNmq0Ldz-VJOA5hy0RKsVe5g516uw28E2FNs1HpthfSisl29l3CKGwmJOW_mUf3S8e6us0yDyw7Wit4UelVbcyZcQBDMBwiE-e1tUm0NL1YzObzNWrSbxPptvrteSy8fmzRtK8L1QtOul/w640-h350/P7030176.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd9q6k2sz62tSwCyDSdwQhdIH6igM4-iS5HfxniQ0DEFS7rhT1mOOoNMdXOh9dqWrNp3hbDwiQo21dcwk217iN6xQOkbbIfXU-kx8GDzom954mF-i49sUWGEkMuDn9H-noDtQZ6RVFkykYBDtuoHxe2tkFDJTSc_QwmsWcXmsG_8CP4kiH50xoZDuLIdK/s5184/P7030181.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd9q6k2sz62tSwCyDSdwQhdIH6igM4-iS5HfxniQ0DEFS7rhT1mOOoNMdXOh9dqWrNp3hbDwiQo21dcwk217iN6xQOkbbIfXU-kx8GDzom954mF-i49sUWGEkMuDn9H-noDtQZ6RVFkykYBDtuoHxe2tkFDJTSc_QwmsWcXmsG_8CP4kiH50xoZDuLIdK/w640-h480/P7030181.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bravo at home in the inner harbor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Port Au Choix was the home to four successive groups of indigenous people, dating back over 5500 years. Many burial sites have been discovered on the peninsula, and today much of the area is designated a Canadian National Historic Site. There's an excellent visitor's center describing this history of settlements, and some good hiking trails around the area. Yesterday we hiked out to the center, and then continued hiking on the trail through Philip's Garden, which was the site of a major archeological exploration. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-KHUphv2Wq7LcHtC-jcetZmJ-mOdBt02uoCcyELs3Db8PVqwE8dZrn-yb3uM4qCdA_xaQTyQAw-U9yKsmwLboj0H2-QWTvbviQY-s7c_EgvAIM5YF73OGVRLn3DfEGXmY71l7V8Xv55tbyYT3me_OAqhyPvbTtlukdxHfmc-9YDomiovsA23Ppb_X_BF/s4062/P7050191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4062" data-original-width="2213" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-KHUphv2Wq7LcHtC-jcetZmJ-mOdBt02uoCcyELs3Db8PVqwE8dZrn-yb3uM4qCdA_xaQTyQAw-U9yKsmwLboj0H2-QWTvbviQY-s7c_EgvAIM5YF73OGVRLn3DfEGXmY71l7V8Xv55tbyYT3me_OAqhyPvbTtlukdxHfmc-9YDomiovsA23Ppb_X_BF/w217-h400/P7050191.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>We ran into a young caribou on the trail. He wasn't at all shy, and just continued munching on ferns and other plants as we walked past him. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXiCEia-8onR5-9zURdHoQZZsLTOqAz1ghxjegRoMNBXUhFqZKArClcc6EBsuaUJtq_X5EY8G5M464UJq8Kmyy6hihSW2y8DxdDpyt68wctkZwULtyNdneDCNZl8pjWz7ktnm7ZfNGVKgkRhJVwfi0KowysahF6Y-bobIfxTGHJKUje4E1eCrZDAnjEGo/s3007/P7050198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3007" data-original-width="2457" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXiCEia-8onR5-9zURdHoQZZsLTOqAz1ghxjegRoMNBXUhFqZKArClcc6EBsuaUJtq_X5EY8G5M464UJq8Kmyy6hihSW2y8DxdDpyt68wctkZwULtyNdneDCNZl8pjWz7ktnm7ZfNGVKgkRhJVwfi0KowysahF6Y-bobIfxTGHJKUje4E1eCrZDAnjEGo/w522-h640/P7050198.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJw7S_wFYCNerBYiiyaOFinRfJ2m5nV0Z16y_zbXfijtVjDxd1X1xsd5d-2iSDdKHEZZDUIv3MNpo1gPtwMVcnSxpBfPrxAu4aY0siWIU_u-tzzMkqw7bzn68--ewLypIJ8CtQv0nK2R8rgJCDKfC5OhbG5wlg4U1ar-1c5gSJjca-yMsgGGiEtdeTQk9/s2332/P7050201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2204" data-original-width="2332" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJw7S_wFYCNerBYiiyaOFinRfJ2m5nV0Z16y_zbXfijtVjDxd1X1xsd5d-2iSDdKHEZZDUIv3MNpo1gPtwMVcnSxpBfPrxAu4aY0siWIU_u-tzzMkqw7bzn68--ewLypIJ8CtQv0nK2R8rgJCDKfC5OhbG5wlg4U1ar-1c5gSJjca-yMsgGGiEtdeTQk9/w640-h604/P7050201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsUDsyCXLYfq92IX6TkHS0Es25yjlXD9VRf1197M_1CVgCGdTpiVOwDWkREfm2tc9bieY_xJh1FgqU8s1nxUFPszlro1aiSzMufvDafjWGnYz9kde_FXf64ovMgAjQUB6ez9IQTAM0a1Q0R-iSzt7A6BDwZvKelX9huf5wApaZXslLS4gT5uB1WIUUJeC/s637/IMG_1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="637" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsUDsyCXLYfq92IX6TkHS0Es25yjlXD9VRf1197M_1CVgCGdTpiVOwDWkREfm2tc9bieY_xJh1FgqU8s1nxUFPszlro1aiSzMufvDafjWGnYz9kde_FXf64ovMgAjQUB6ez9IQTAM0a1Q0R-iSzt7A6BDwZvKelX9huf5wApaZXslLS4gT5uB1WIUUJeC/w640-h412/IMG_1127.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pond was a place where the indigenous communities on the beach cleaned their seals over a couple of thousand years. The water is still algae filled due to the high levels of nutrients remaining in the water.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've now been here for four days waiting out the weather. The prevailing winds at this time of year are from the SW, perfect for heading NE up the coast. But right after we arrived in the fog, the wind turned to a Nor' Easter, which has made the passage up the Strait of Belle Isle a rough one. Added to the fact that there are still reported to be some ice bergs in the strait (which show up on radar) and smaller "growlers" (which don't), and we've decided to stay put for a couple of days until the weather improves. No worries, it's been fun to walk around and explore between rain squalls!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMIti7Yw31DWfomTGBllqep01ICORPkFOWXPZwGkaJuaWG3jZlpMStDtt8Jxen26m6NS_Iq-KtY_kfdxYn9pS6AnvIVhZ7wFnzAHN2LK1PxYPTEWTJDYflpwX1NerwouY2A0iN5bf4f8U_gpTiwFWuFtIPdE-eBolbaiTmiM5J2nJsR4Lh5wi93fUQ0W4/s640/IMG_1137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMIti7Yw31DWfomTGBllqep01ICORPkFOWXPZwGkaJuaWG3jZlpMStDtt8Jxen26m6NS_Iq-KtY_kfdxYn9pS6AnvIVhZ7wFnzAHN2LK1PxYPTEWTJDYflpwX1NerwouY2A0iN5bf4f8U_gpTiwFWuFtIPdE-eBolbaiTmiM5J2nJsR4Lh5wi93fUQ0W4/w640-h480/IMG_1137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WuKkZ4GsX7MNUdp1w2fjtskyNI8h5VCp880coZI41kCv_4uuXTiQTS8jlciTrKB4b328mws9xRrfFh1o7iWoDGK7V6p8FOLMcxGz6m-yATiViRLXCr1_XkhHPA6-7YYUQ5KO5-kJ1dGzScM4GbvCyB4UBu9QqgSh0lGW_DRLJHfUexcmmHr2RsvXrCsv/s640/IMG_1139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WuKkZ4GsX7MNUdp1w2fjtskyNI8h5VCp880coZI41kCv_4uuXTiQTS8jlciTrKB4b328mws9xRrfFh1o7iWoDGK7V6p8FOLMcxGz6m-yATiViRLXCr1_XkhHPA6-7YYUQ5KO5-kJ1dGzScM4GbvCyB4UBu9QqgSh0lGW_DRLJHfUexcmmHr2RsvXrCsv/w640-h480/IMG_1139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-5996556588920975952023-03-16T08:38:00.003+13:002023-03-16T08:38:29.450+13:00Doggin' it in Northern Maine!<p><br /></p><div style="border: 0px; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>You know what it’s like in the Yukon wild when it’s sixty-nine below;<br /></i></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>When the ice-worms wriggle their purple heads through the crust of the pale blue snow;<br /></i></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>When the pine-trees crack like little guns in the silence of the wood,<br /></i></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>And the icicles hang down like tusks under the parka hood;<br /></i></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>When the stove-pipe smoke breaks sudden off, and the sky is weirdly lit,<br /></i></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>And the careless feel of a bit of steel burns like a red-hot spit;</i></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, Baskerville Old Face, Hoefler Text, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><i> Excerpt</i></span></span><i style="font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px;"> from Ballad of Blasphemous Bill by Robert Service</i></div><p><br /></p><p>We had a blast volunteering at the Can Am Dogsled races in northern Maine. 3 races in one event (30, 100, and 250 mile distances), the race is the largest sled race in North America west of the Mississippi, attracting teams from throughout Canada and the US. The long race is a qualifier for the Alaskan Iditarod and the Yukon Quest long distance races.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The start was great! The town of Ft. Kent closes off the main street and brings in truckloads of snow to pack their trail through town. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmhgM8BP73GdOnVNcJrQqJwPSxaHoCWlvoXuovNCtZ2jUvK4fcoGhEkku6jSeTXWbo2-AuCjqT_5FWjF3bmKXurYK4X9n_SpRkzkoouJOo8JItpl_gwXoCh4nPFQijgmVLAo2sEM_Yi55U3-p2W9XmxM9uA_psxJz7JKpbNa57FV_941Uh0X6xO3uEA/s4032/IMG_0626.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmhgM8BP73GdOnVNcJrQqJwPSxaHoCWlvoXuovNCtZ2jUvK4fcoGhEkku6jSeTXWbo2-AuCjqT_5FWjF3bmKXurYK4X9n_SpRkzkoouJOo8JItpl_gwXoCh4nPFQijgmVLAo2sEM_Yi55U3-p2W9XmxM9uA_psxJz7JKpbNa57FV_941Uh0X6xO3uEA/w400-h300/IMG_0626.DNG" width="400" /></a></div>The temp at the start was around 0 degrees (F), which made for happy dogs and a fast morning run, before the afternoon sun made surface conditions a bit slushy. The dogs, especially the Siberian huskies with their double coats, overheat easily in the sun.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='553' height='460' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw--0B3fBDVF-PTW0NjISoj5zHbrM6ZXsMPkM-whDHkUHvnWR-Lvxq9DtrQpXZozNIzE37RSc2PYQYoy5SnIw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH0m17Unib5uBufz34Z9U0NkVFrwwylaVfNJDX9ntsu9QW5WVHRYQZbJcLj7QitTjvIWOmgFiW7Vm3LhS1hhw3ZXTGe6ZSHfAUa_LFQaI2o5oMVF35cV3XlseZ4ZTzpLTSpRFOZmRe31HLUuVOv-Ol3tEDGtVNxaN5AygcQ3iMwP7qeXINkQMqEoIDA/s5184/P3041193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3109" data-original-width="5184" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH0m17Unib5uBufz34Z9U0NkVFrwwylaVfNJDX9ntsu9QW5WVHRYQZbJcLj7QitTjvIWOmgFiW7Vm3LhS1hhw3ZXTGe6ZSHfAUa_LFQaI2o5oMVF35cV3XlseZ4ZTzpLTSpRFOZmRe31HLUuVOv-Ol3tEDGtVNxaN5AygcQ3iMwP7qeXINkQMqEoIDA/w640-h384/P3041193.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweNs0iw08wD-bqiSmokbQDoGTuZbtZ3vxDpaG3MtsN0r3uiKpFD0rxO06zHpaDtuO2r9YM2xs_nClmnZFQ7I5ZBzKBAfQO2NwcLOoTeks_eE9mDsno9CaPzElzPOWqHzCdwjKaW-FPxYUBfc6dlnjYCDFI2pcyUfs1jRNAzJ0YR2bCpvnaGkgimFm9A/s972/P3041497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="972" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweNs0iw08wD-bqiSmokbQDoGTuZbtZ3vxDpaG3MtsN0r3uiKpFD0rxO06zHpaDtuO2r9YM2xs_nClmnZFQ7I5ZBzKBAfQO2NwcLOoTeks_eE9mDsno9CaPzElzPOWqHzCdwjKaW-FPxYUBfc6dlnjYCDFI2pcyUfs1jRNAzJ0YR2bCpvnaGkgimFm9A/w400-h396/P3041497.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As they waited to start (starts were all at two minute intervals), the dogs were barking and howling, eager to get going. Great excitement as they were off! But they almost instantly quieted down and got on with the serious business of pulling hard down the trail. This is clearly what they love to do! And the crowds of spectators loved it as well!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITTeBhlRiVMSFeTDZfCOTePB2ykubwfSryFWRYQvX6Aa_DyrruABfjTvGRwJLeJs4s7eOS_je3lXwP2DEyCnlN7QxEX3Q3TNXCd3o9jHCa9xS9bGVMJaaOM2AVJiXUnhHk4tTL5e0Jzx02uNJ2l5XQVA5jpmVZ2I_rSAX80UNZg1LjRAmwnerZsDHlA/s3426/P3041286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2132" data-original-width="3426" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITTeBhlRiVMSFeTDZfCOTePB2ykubwfSryFWRYQvX6Aa_DyrruABfjTvGRwJLeJs4s7eOS_je3lXwP2DEyCnlN7QxEX3Q3TNXCd3o9jHCa9xS9bGVMJaaOM2AVJiXUnhHk4tTL5e0Jzx02uNJ2l5XQVA5jpmVZ2I_rSAX80UNZg1LjRAmwnerZsDHlA/w640-h398/P3041286.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EPGwarE72wYdla-v7TXQagynNkOZpko3gpzw1jZSMUYDcEbEzegAg0xiNxNXHqiDeoa_iFfMhBvEg7d8f0tSvUIX83uk-ecqhIv5rlteEeUR96m318GNjxW1bSeLpb1YKEGfqE1ybaFDvKjfAw6vUV0tVnNs2uYpN6JRo5H_MR2bsScFA8DOOMe67Q/s3210/P3041289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3210" data-original-width="2737" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EPGwarE72wYdla-v7TXQagynNkOZpko3gpzw1jZSMUYDcEbEzegAg0xiNxNXHqiDeoa_iFfMhBvEg7d8f0tSvUIX83uk-ecqhIv5rlteEeUR96m318GNjxW1bSeLpb1YKEGfqE1ybaFDvKjfAw6vUV0tVnNs2uYpN6JRo5H_MR2bsScFA8DOOMe67Q/w546-h640/P3041289.jpg" width="546" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andre Longchamps, 4th place finisher in the 100</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkjWN6La-YR-K4YFCPGWIHZV1QTQQpVDXu9F8F5T6--CBtns6q_DlILK-w3xlQOxTYstw3LWmIo_tv58VR6SNMQwPTN9CetNEH5VKoNAUODLevXtrWI8Dk_uosr7mBJbWVDcw6rs251jAfvR2Hg8-9s-NUNwccwrSU-lSiVP6cIdqJMrMvfW9sEW4Ng/s3728/P3041480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2645" data-original-width="3728" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkjWN6La-YR-K4YFCPGWIHZV1QTQQpVDXu9F8F5T6--CBtns6q_DlILK-w3xlQOxTYstw3LWmIo_tv58VR6SNMQwPTN9CetNEH5VKoNAUODLevXtrWI8Dk_uosr7mBJbWVDcw6rs251jAfvR2Hg8-9s-NUNwccwrSU-lSiVP6cIdqJMrMvfW9sEW4Ng/w640-h454/P3041480.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kieth Ailti, 2nd place finisher in the 250</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53XK4ZorLE294hSyD5CakR0wQ0RcHlWt5aBVwSyEvAeo2SVbQhrDQ4vGN2DBClXi6RcIk4K6qzqyON5PVMUWhc6KrCDyH0BOvT2Yb7S_zqHDvPsYlb1OJuTeRXADZ-xPBL03DrSYZOY_1WqxhWpOJC6D3D_uRsQcrJWyHt82k5FYQx3L-OFbMJcdxQg/s3361/P3041494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3361" data-original-width="2669" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53XK4ZorLE294hSyD5CakR0wQ0RcHlWt5aBVwSyEvAeo2SVbQhrDQ4vGN2DBClXi6RcIk4K6qzqyON5PVMUWhc6KrCDyH0BOvT2Yb7S_zqHDvPsYlb1OJuTeRXADZ-xPBL03DrSYZOY_1WqxhWpOJC6D3D_uRsQcrJWyHt82k5FYQx3L-OFbMJcdxQg/w508-h640/P3041494.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katherine Lainglais is off, <b>winner of the 250 mile course!!!</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wE1InYQQidwLssJNtBIg-YS2YT0e2AbP22CsJHO9ubIKBOQ-p9Sl4Sgt3zdBdyTQQk_G24fulwoQeDcpxI5nqtgwatkxYsKJNZqdPb8om7RPQ5atXdFVujVNzhBitJip2hkT7Y8UueFL40P24wCI5T-GUD-cDYWF5EoQwWGSkmDTdtqlwAuoltPmbA/s4471/P3041537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3228" data-original-width="4471" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wE1InYQQidwLssJNtBIg-YS2YT0e2AbP22CsJHO9ubIKBOQ-p9Sl4Sgt3zdBdyTQQk_G24fulwoQeDcpxI5nqtgwatkxYsKJNZqdPb8om7RPQ5atXdFVujVNzhBitJip2hkT7Y8UueFL40P24wCI5T-GUD-cDYWF5EoQwWGSkmDTdtqlwAuoltPmbA/w640-h462/P3041537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>After the start, we were stationed at the first checkpoint of the 250 mile race, in the town hall of the tiny town of Portage. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1sbosH_uGWL1aKVSn4JKKTC3ytRD8KwzNYadiTjKZA0bkURTSuTr5YD6GnU_ZfLzeSsD2Jgg4IkDIZXTYkV3FgGj74AFbAxDZ5za34mGHeuwVCgEIIBz6sZYQF0br85TWmJmLUEnmAm_XwTsbv7ZciSIyxiNXjcrEbFfypiGwFznjb2IYrQqrOTg1g/s4032/IMG_0665.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1sbosH_uGWL1aKVSn4JKKTC3ytRD8KwzNYadiTjKZA0bkURTSuTr5YD6GnU_ZfLzeSsD2Jgg4IkDIZXTYkV3FgGj74AFbAxDZ5za34mGHeuwVCgEIIBz6sZYQF0br85TWmJmLUEnmAm_XwTsbv7ZciSIyxiNXjcrEbFfypiGwFznjb2IYrQqrOTg1g/w640-h480/IMG_0665.DNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailer of food bags for each team was delivered to each checkpoint in advance.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFb8ovWi0RQq0uv64Z7NjfloZO-jt8oCaw_QcX5riuY0DjYka2eCo7kwZeAFNqJE2a1vMMJF_XrVUa2icOFLuQ9oUxkUjMDAehbslE7ig4SYcU4FyfGGOC40wnAHLBTThi_oFOW_VATpO2E3yZNoMGbgFRNr-ZNmKc0_ne-TVzd454oCEbG7qI1WuXw/s4032/IMG_0674.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFb8ovWi0RQq0uv64Z7NjfloZO-jt8oCaw_QcX5riuY0DjYka2eCo7kwZeAFNqJE2a1vMMJF_XrVUa2icOFLuQ9oUxkUjMDAehbslE7ig4SYcU4FyfGGOC40wnAHLBTThi_oFOW_VATpO2E3yZNoMGbgFRNr-ZNmKc0_ne-TVzd454oCEbG7qI1WuXw/w400-h300/IMG_0674.DNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food and hay loaded on sleds for each team</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1N5yjkGH9JtXu9eiHXdnuc_osH97e06bOKEgyeGqvE6Da8Nc_i-eFc2ZIhWhUfXDbaDtLwEbi9FoXRMrvfxjyTmiUODNOyFa2Cd_gc6BxMP0zxAKdHSdX8i1Aa6pCDEmrg2EymNGlkO5J2wZJKbroyQdljjX1vxBXNZauwQXj1fzO39ImykACCwoNQ/s4032/IMG_0676.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2078" data-original-width="4032" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1N5yjkGH9JtXu9eiHXdnuc_osH97e06bOKEgyeGqvE6Da8Nc_i-eFc2ZIhWhUfXDbaDtLwEbi9FoXRMrvfxjyTmiUODNOyFa2Cd_gc6BxMP0zxAKdHSdX8i1Aa6pCDEmrg2EymNGlkO5J2wZJKbroyQdljjX1vxBXNZauwQXj1fzO39ImykACCwoNQ/w640-h330/IMG_0676.DNG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div><br /></div>The place was packed with dog handlers, veterinarians, EMT's, volunteers, and visitors. Our first team, that of musher Katherine Langlais, a vet tech from New Brunswick, arrived at 17:43, shortly after dark. Several more followed in quick succession, and we stayed awake as they departed throughout the night. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdC5eD1Dts67HrlXhLXwvMxTLBqdukyB7t8UWqwmXmRDJAZFEg9bc-I0iD67mGjizUah38yLvN9w5fW6f1yKIZlnc1Acp_-FIdkOeLvCIOV9imOUlDF3xvUvnJkBGSKiATcBAEXrapj_l3gECxKs-_v_YQA40hbt-3irAjo16HDTzTb2hub8F2BDvVQ/s1317/20230304_174453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="1317" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdC5eD1Dts67HrlXhLXwvMxTLBqdukyB7t8UWqwmXmRDJAZFEg9bc-I0iD67mGjizUah38yLvN9w5fW6f1yKIZlnc1Acp_-FIdkOeLvCIOV9imOUlDF3xvUvnJkBGSKiATcBAEXrapj_l3gECxKs-_v_YQA40hbt-3irAjo16HDTzTb2hub8F2BDvVQ/w640-h266/20230304_174453.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leader Katherine Langlais on the trail outside the town of Portage, nearing the first checkpoint</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Upon arrival, the dogs were fed and watered, checked by a team of vets, then bedded down on hay put out on the snow. The mushers can either sleep in a tent alongside their dogs, or head upstairs in our building to take a nap. Then after around 4 hours, they were up to feed the dogs again, another vet check, and they were off into the night, heading for the next checkpoint around 50 miles down the trail.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZKOPVvUqzwyMbf9gCCY7JyrP9SYDQLMNI3OLY6-SVF4X8FKPLa9TZzMXrom1t6KQw9GUwdLw_p-0BfaUckAQ0ArXy-TKKGyHTbdRwtUtx3GN4tmE9kxw3gVXXBPiMLkOubi9WCYQazQSV8lDBtNm0eWQdJyN--KslcW39dKdU8f7ebNu7QnYImT_6w/s4032/IMG_0673.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZKOPVvUqzwyMbf9gCCY7JyrP9SYDQLMNI3OLY6-SVF4X8FKPLa9TZzMXrom1t6KQw9GUwdLw_p-0BfaUckAQ0ArXy-TKKGyHTbdRwtUtx3GN4tmE9kxw3gVXXBPiMLkOubi9WCYQazQSV8lDBtNm0eWQdJyN--KslcW39dKdU8f7ebNu7QnYImT_6w/w640-h480/IMG_0673.DNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghG9DAeyL_AXs8t2xJmmAY_b5LYk10XC_5PaOwM1KGyoY2ENbr9exAWKVC603LMz-QICyAja-kQcPJqU_pxVxVrTwxvJ4qUlnkNFeZVztLRynMIAJsQGR7eXi3mmnPvtsj_Of9W92Vim-2gfp7NxsD3tS1KL48mf_xLGq4t89K4SyTzcKmzeYNk58tiw/s4032/IMG_0671.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="4032" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghG9DAeyL_AXs8t2xJmmAY_b5LYk10XC_5PaOwM1KGyoY2ENbr9exAWKVC603LMz-QICyAja-kQcPJqU_pxVxVrTwxvJ4qUlnkNFeZVztLRynMIAJsQGR7eXi3mmnPvtsj_Of9W92Vim-2gfp7NxsD3tS1KL48mf_xLGq4t89K4SyTzcKmzeYNk58tiw/w640-h252/IMG_0671.DNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRfr0W0UfmDW32i7dgEXbV1f414XyBwmpOfFoN5H6l6irSvnru2HQdR3QgqIn2CoyKrvp8DPC9cxDQ0VxuTmuhtTW2aSk40FoCht6UOxgV_pfMz_wwXhbyJQEJG94VRjfzSCU7Bmrt5XElzYLpmnPnbf8_aLEjJ3-oX2uEGDU4OO5Vni_jjYBkj3LTA/s3224/IMG_0677.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3224" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRfr0W0UfmDW32i7dgEXbV1f414XyBwmpOfFoN5H6l6irSvnru2HQdR3QgqIn2CoyKrvp8DPC9cxDQ0VxuTmuhtTW2aSk40FoCht6UOxgV_pfMz_wwXhbyJQEJG94VRjfzSCU7Bmrt5XElzYLpmnPnbf8_aLEjJ3-oX2uEGDU4OO5Vni_jjYBkj3LTA/w640-h396/IMG_0677.DNG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYf-hnJ5bbNuT32UsiZmHG3-wkB8JjLAl-CMkWcUEWUIOLpCPGgFz7crkS7_gIHMV6cD6NMrHC_iGbP9mpO17UE172S9eNVZqAmQdc6PmexYWDbLPZp9dQhGu-ytxNYYArWgc7LjpwMC2CqsNKeDpW_TP36CRj697Ef8h-OgaYAdX1rti1YFS-XffAQ/s4032/IMG_0680.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYf-hnJ5bbNuT32UsiZmHG3-wkB8JjLAl-CMkWcUEWUIOLpCPGgFz7crkS7_gIHMV6cD6NMrHC_iGbP9mpO17UE172S9eNVZqAmQdc6PmexYWDbLPZp9dQhGu-ytxNYYArWgc7LjpwMC2CqsNKeDpW_TP36CRj697Ef8h-OgaYAdX1rti1YFS-XffAQ/w320-h240/IMG_0680.DNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the dropped dogs became a favorite of all the vets!</td></tr></tbody></table>This was a large, extremely well organized event. Communications were via ham radio, (Adam's checkpoint job), with a central net control constantly tracking times and locations of all teams, vets, EMT's, and SAR (Search and Rescue) personnel. All dogs are accounted for at all times, as dogs may be "dropped" at any of the 4 checkpoints. (all of the 250 mile teams dropped at least one dog. Most started with 12 dogs, and each team is required to finish with a minimum of 8) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Mushers were from all over eastern Canada and the US, and all on the long 250 mile race were well experienced. They had their team of dog handlers on hand, and their food bags had been driven by snow mobile to the various checkpoints in advance of the start. The team of 30 veterinarians were an elite group of orthopedic vets, who compete to be selected from applicants ranging from all over North America. The entire 250 mile trail had been broken by snow mobile in the days before the race, and with a full moon, the night mushing was beautiful, cold, and fast. </div><div><br /></div><div>As far as dogs go, there were a total of 15 teams on the 250, 23 on the 100, and 21 teams on the 30, for a total of 59 teams at the start. With an average of 11-12 dogs per team, that's nearly 700 dogs and 59 mushers starting!</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the weekend, after all results were tallied, women had won all three races!!! They were all Canadians. The winner of the 250 mile course was the same woman who had pulled into our checkpoint in the lead, as she kept her lead throughout the checkpoints and intermediate safety stops. Great effort, Katherine!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>And a great job by all of the mushers, the race committee, and all volunteers for putting on such a successful event. It is a huge physical and logistic effort, and all came off without a hitch! If we winter over in Maine in the future, we'd jump at the chance to return for another Can Am!!! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7qeeqy8HT34M1yoTx-PlQ6KDAhZYoepWjQ3iwpKeN6mLmIl83Lmm3q2wEPS17aGATBcLnIu4esmejMbMv1OXFGqLUiqL3_zQj4cM5v2fv2-Y5uUQW1l7edFsR52plqnXB1LPuit93PpxPbumu8LyCC-_SIB1x45NP78qEmr-qy1BW73i0oKJHFKamQ/s4032/IMG_0627.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7qeeqy8HT34M1yoTx-PlQ6KDAhZYoepWjQ3iwpKeN6mLmIl83Lmm3q2wEPS17aGATBcLnIu4esmejMbMv1OXFGqLUiqL3_zQj4cM5v2fv2-Y5uUQW1l7edFsR52plqnXB1LPuit93PpxPbumu8LyCC-_SIB1x45NP78qEmr-qy1BW73i0oKJHFKamQ/w400-h300/IMG_0627.DNG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ydSfMrQtkUlZfQ-7jmQKKuBiLkWRMC8I4q0Avz_f1VouS5b9Pfxbs8TAyGAAT7SIFqQI0NFvOXbX6WElXFrU5-66Vm3DGutn3fA6yi9PAj_mKcVIsbqGYrKq-_s8OcKwA9p3CTfWyyr5ILOLpEdObyXGHnJhCkpidj_DvByZISPA3Oyw7SXX9Mostw/s4032/IMG_0616.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ydSfMrQtkUlZfQ-7jmQKKuBiLkWRMC8I4q0Avz_f1VouS5b9Pfxbs8TAyGAAT7SIFqQI0NFvOXbX6WElXFrU5-66Vm3DGutn3fA6yi9PAj_mKcVIsbqGYrKq-_s8OcKwA9p3CTfWyyr5ILOLpEdObyXGHnJhCkpidj_DvByZISPA3Oyw7SXX9Mostw/w640-h480/IMG_0616.DNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In the meantime, spring must be getting close!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-59809919170697292992022-05-19T09:25:00.000+12:002022-05-19T09:25:16.885+12:00Caribbean Report<p>WOW, has it really been 3-1/2 months since a blog update??? Our bad!!! We've been posting occasional updates on FaceBook, but apologies for not keeping the blog up to date.</p><p>So this will be an abbreviated account of where we've been with some photos and little vignettes of what we've been doing since leaving Cabo Verde earlier this year.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Atlantic crossing:</b></p><p>We had a very good 13-1/2 day crossing from Mindelo to Grenada, at the southern end of the windward islands. The passage was classic tradewinds, with good breeze after motoring south through a large windless hole. After that it was downwind all the way, on a starboard jibe the whole trip!!! Yeah baby!!! Nothing major broke, and we enjoyed the steady breeze taking us to the Caribbean!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOsOEjRysfxmBOxeMC9kCqqsbYWlsnShHHc8hUCVsJdAuJhrSKzbKsrUPIyZyH7rJBNcGXlka-9UA6CXeUG59qem-aCLP3OhkEyvfvYCzsQOMoyo3PMmNDoSl-PRpoEzLTfhO3G3W4zu0GktAFnEoqq5QVOadSJZTTL0VObK2gY_jMbHwvqNRjZXPIg/s640/IMG_6706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOsOEjRysfxmBOxeMC9kCqqsbYWlsnShHHc8hUCVsJdAuJhrSKzbKsrUPIyZyH7rJBNcGXlka-9UA6CXeUG59qem-aCLP3OhkEyvfvYCzsQOMoyo3PMmNDoSl-PRpoEzLTfhO3G3W4zu0GktAFnEoqq5QVOadSJZTTL0VObK2gY_jMbHwvqNRjZXPIg/w640-h480/IMG_6706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And away we go...heading west meant for some beautiful sunsets!</div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO0T3F_SLPFHL2M0qOtiSz4f1v29tz3vIjtsww-BUfhO3LBPpyW6MndMf24CnhIsGEP0cjJvbXxpIaU_lU2HU8yp3yGgFuD--hFbesGjg8xnqS8IPumBNDUPRYn3fImTe72Ic06sxjA7ysbAv1J_eLVeVv0GmqeGfFDQIkMibtadm0YS4fTAH2bKqug/s640/IMG_6735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO0T3F_SLPFHL2M0qOtiSz4f1v29tz3vIjtsww-BUfhO3LBPpyW6MndMf24CnhIsGEP0cjJvbXxpIaU_lU2HU8yp3yGgFuD--hFbesGjg8xnqS8IPumBNDUPRYn3fImTe72Ic06sxjA7ysbAv1J_eLVeVv0GmqeGfFDQIkMibtadm0YS4fTAH2bKqug/w640-h480/IMG_6735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWriyFb4IsBVovshY2xKdUClMI6uWByDM0XZyA-mebot-ijiOFYQLJ5OrFxRjxPs9UzDy36gdeNFYhRK1IpT_jlG_kLNmP8zSe2HFGxz75rtcTL90K1PO8nvET6qmzwtoaf6ONTNPvbiJhxh9OrZDuDYlCgadm2V8rS-dKxitFLzc6oXyzl8s_lr-hAw/s640/IMG_6730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWriyFb4IsBVovshY2xKdUClMI6uWByDM0XZyA-mebot-ijiOFYQLJ5OrFxRjxPs9UzDy36gdeNFYhRK1IpT_jlG_kLNmP8zSe2HFGxz75rtcTL90K1PO8nvET6qmzwtoaf6ONTNPvbiJhxh9OrZDuDYlCgadm2V8rS-dKxitFLzc6oXyzl8s_lr-hAw/w640-h480/IMG_6730.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aa0POcabk9_tlpNtYkaSLyl38wRoHeGc44PwW48qTQZP_8US_F81C1haII51VpuXWNnTSlbsKNqctVlboeJoCbPpX5tc_ZSzo5pe_xJwuHeHWgAfpsH2n1rJXe3JQTtVQs4aW4kIwNyqgoNMYMf2l4SCDYFil5NhQvqKGVVguMqGCC0MDUizxXtiOg/s640/IMG_6742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aa0POcabk9_tlpNtYkaSLyl38wRoHeGc44PwW48qTQZP_8US_F81C1haII51VpuXWNnTSlbsKNqctVlboeJoCbPpX5tc_ZSzo5pe_xJwuHeHWgAfpsH2n1rJXe3JQTtVQs4aW4kIwNyqgoNMYMf2l4SCDYFil5NhQvqKGVVguMqGCC0MDUizxXtiOg/w400-h300/IMG_6742.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Fishing on this passage was terrible....caught one baby mahi, about the same size as our lure! He was released to grow up a bit! Otherwise, the sargasso weed was so bad that it really limited our fishing time...often we'd be reeling in every couple of minutes to clear the hooks. Yuchhhh... <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxXcOXreCOJqZxYtu3fZ_aiQltypP3XWbZd3wZlWrG3BuKhh3icYyTzcLLIsGmVXydcg_TOgcGmPjjytSPkjHJKjqu05SkxcLz6fDn73KP4VcIJBCrdlU2ztmm-5sJCX1tuc4v_JH2c_BpDVWtBAqwZ3MSlEiSrdl9DBAHvBSvyXEHKd-Fpfb7MEJJw/s640/IMG_6702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxXcOXreCOJqZxYtu3fZ_aiQltypP3XWbZd3wZlWrG3BuKhh3icYyTzcLLIsGmVXydcg_TOgcGmPjjytSPkjHJKjqu05SkxcLz6fDn73KP4VcIJBCrdlU2ztmm-5sJCX1tuc4v_JH2c_BpDVWtBAqwZ3MSlEiSrdl9DBAHvBSvyXEHKd-Fpfb7MEJJw/s320/IMG_6702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Total catch report included one plastic bag, one baby mahi, and one blue footed booby, who was happily released unharmed.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxSSlDk7HwAJpXBV1IhE2L816h41tzZl9x8A9UHl4cKfqt5qGICv7z_DywkpfdC0T1ZQt4w-rE97XTo_brBKqA1lMEA2EOCmX3-XKeNyKKlaKRxCkcV9nwXfWDIV5kiOiXX6qZxh-afCscQW17cTtAfebfrZw4juHwoh0o81oBnZ8G48hnCZqFtFJnQ/s640/IMG_6749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxSSlDk7HwAJpXBV1IhE2L816h41tzZl9x8A9UHl4cKfqt5qGICv7z_DywkpfdC0T1ZQt4w-rE97XTo_brBKqA1lMEA2EOCmX3-XKeNyKKlaKRxCkcV9nwXfWDIV5kiOiXX6qZxh-afCscQW17cTtAfebfrZw4juHwoh0o81oBnZ8G48hnCZqFtFJnQ/w400-h300/IMG_6749.JPG" title="As always, though, the morning deck walk found a few flying fish and squid suicides." width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">As always, though, the morning deck walk found a few flying fish and squid suicides.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We finally arrived in Grenada at 1 am, in a 30 knot driving rainstorm. Ughhhhh!</div><div>A quick anchor rum, and it was off to a nice deep sleep!!!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VCdT4WOvRr_lLVB41sQNK3JRy63d1bmrpZ2QlHusifurGQMRW7CLPWpRJg7fCvcCEHloQonyHqVrl5ZPdLrzdtIP0rEHg-mhK6-gqWwu6lTAGT1ohV2xNFxPzM-QJOfEHrkOTeZ0apYCkoY1jvGswyy0Eo6g1WFEsZN0abx-9s9fwrinP4nXEPv7yQ/s1440/IMG_6770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VCdT4WOvRr_lLVB41sQNK3JRy63d1bmrpZ2QlHusifurGQMRW7CLPWpRJg7fCvcCEHloQonyHqVrl5ZPdLrzdtIP0rEHg-mhK6-gqWwu6lTAGT1ohV2xNFxPzM-QJOfEHrkOTeZ0apYCkoY1jvGswyy0Eo6g1WFEsZN0abx-9s9fwrinP4nXEPv7yQ/w640-h480/IMG_6770.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grenada:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Grenada proved to be an excellent landfall to get our proverbial Caribbean feet wet. Much like Pacific Mexico, we called it "cruising light"! Everything needed was easily available. The morning cruisers net, much like the "spit and shit" gatherings in La Paz, had local announcements about goings on around the island, everything from where to get your propane filled, to HASH runs, to technical boat repairs. It proved to be our home for several weeks....perhaps too long, as it meant we've been a bit cramped for time as we got into the more northern islands.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were happy to meet up with some cruising friends here, including fellow Boreal Positive Waves, who we hadn't seen since France, as well as mates on Offspring and Ruffian. But most folks on boats here are snowbirds, living aboard in the winters, and flying back up to homes in the US, Canada, or Europe for the summers. Relatively few full time cruisers here, compared, say, to the South Pacific islands. But the rum drinks are cold, the trade winds blow, and the locals couldn't be friendlier.....in a word, it doesn't suck!!! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58PT3GYcjiPj40J2h_4anp3_NlBHUZd-zs4ao6yPI5_oYD9ZetUyCBwvcdNUgk9QZB1nK4WqxNjdOE37Q56tmdx1bwk4cesHzcxgH5ewAPW2LS4SKUyufX_bahDWBKJlM7t1Bc-3jbcNkfnqxLrPqKji1asupr1zQDHWPlgveN_YNzK4upcS_20qo4Q/s2251/IMG_6818%20Copy%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2251" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58PT3GYcjiPj40J2h_4anp3_NlBHUZd-zs4ao6yPI5_oYD9ZetUyCBwvcdNUgk9QZB1nK4WqxNjdOE37Q56tmdx1bwk4cesHzcxgH5ewAPW2LS4SKUyufX_bahDWBKJlM7t1Bc-3jbcNkfnqxLrPqKji1asupr1zQDHWPlgveN_YNzK4upcS_20qo4Q/w640-h436/IMG_6818%20Copy%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiY96KjEnOSE4HelLqm6Ryqy7kR2qVyKINY-LkhF7imp2KBbez4HSpdJq9kbT5zQD5lNr6leaPwxPvl0DMFDSt2OfPAzSX1zXU95-CNrymQLI6T-6g8bNDpoSWdaAoOq2i3em1toeVMNxuTYRWo9AeDqIf83ZNn4bEaqUJHq-4bvYjpdAfA6Eiu6yDg/s2049/IMG_6824%20Copy%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiY96KjEnOSE4HelLqm6Ryqy7kR2qVyKINY-LkhF7imp2KBbez4HSpdJq9kbT5zQD5lNr6leaPwxPvl0DMFDSt2OfPAzSX1zXU95-CNrymQLI6T-6g8bNDpoSWdaAoOq2i3em1toeVMNxuTYRWo9AeDqIf83ZNn4bEaqUJHq-4bvYjpdAfA6Eiu6yDg/w640-h480/IMG_6824%20Copy%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQw14fBzOG5HZg-NX2sLqYjdxBwxsMXJkpPy5Qt490qA9bYMc7GrFZGzrrqiHffho9kmqkZCFl-IWMrrEpBoqu1y8WNgQ8WnBN3q5_denuowBfSoABZmB7o_SmMjrprtknkCbbyB8Exm7DjjEJP_IeOoCbsMNtpZeqbDkXO8se-R0diHqgTf1RfNxig/s2049/IMG_6985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQw14fBzOG5HZg-NX2sLqYjdxBwxsMXJkpPy5Qt490qA9bYMc7GrFZGzrrqiHffho9kmqkZCFl-IWMrrEpBoqu1y8WNgQ8WnBN3q5_denuowBfSoABZmB7o_SmMjrprtknkCbbyB8Exm7DjjEJP_IeOoCbsMNtpZeqbDkXO8se-R0diHqgTf1RfNxig/w400-h300/IMG_6985.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We enjoyed a few of the weekly HASH run/walks, put on by the local chapter of the Hash House Harriers, an international running club with the motto "a club for drinkers with a running problem"!!! The events were a great way to get some exercise while meeting a fun gang of locals, cruisers, and expats living full time in Grenada. </div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards there's a big feed of "oil down", a local stew of breadfruit, pork, curry and greens, and obviously plenty of Carib beer to wash it all down. A fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKHzSkat3pv4G9iwt6jea-YxrRetgh4RdpCiouRuLCfDvUtrrgyW8ishQ2aVOjJTZdmj7tZR15X_dGInAP1gT64r5_9XPSG0sVAKQUClb6u-ZR4Y6LDNYi2o3mT7yNDoJUz3jIyB0YYFYRlhAgNBc_NqbYAYJKVN6AsMZtjT7XfbuflZvPJyx37i8Ug/s2049/IMG_6946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKHzSkat3pv4G9iwt6jea-YxrRetgh4RdpCiouRuLCfDvUtrrgyW8ishQ2aVOjJTZdmj7tZR15X_dGInAP1gT64r5_9XPSG0sVAKQUClb6u-ZR4Y6LDNYi2o3mT7yNDoJUz3jIyB0YYFYRlhAgNBc_NqbYAYJKVN6AsMZtjT7XfbuflZvPJyx37i8Ug/w640-h480/IMG_6946.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXEV92cVa9pElQUeqeb_tpz3CQNns2FX6LWPoXFnf0Z0M1U0jDOs55O7Y05YlZnoDATn2G_RM1NUgd9XF7zcXOUswUw4b876MEBzuWYcRqvc5w13UW54f29FryF0N8aFFogJBaHo3fwtBA4EtJB5uP9kG6abWVNyyo7f_jKGW-95Mfbcw47WIUn1mIw/s2049/IMG_6970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1537" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXEV92cVa9pElQUeqeb_tpz3CQNns2FX6LWPoXFnf0Z0M1U0jDOs55O7Y05YlZnoDATn2G_RM1NUgd9XF7zcXOUswUw4b876MEBzuWYcRqvc5w13UW54f29FryF0N8aFFogJBaHo3fwtBA4EtJB5uP9kG6abWVNyyo7f_jKGW-95Mfbcw47WIUn1mIw/w300-h400/IMG_6970.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNq_S52xl50r6R7MGg8Cp5r30xe42Y1O7HH--0GaFqSzsO9XL5SQpEkyP0EVWNKTHAFv66GgitZxWw6w4IAVrjiYOxz1Mw1hg8Ilg7AnOMIZNDRm71NoAgy8UaKUz8ys_jmLdgU9EWaJrIs7vNAofZh-WVw-sN-toSjr_hIW90LWu2oVXgOq7HZflJjA/s2049/IMG_6942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1537" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNq_S52xl50r6R7MGg8Cp5r30xe42Y1O7HH--0GaFqSzsO9XL5SQpEkyP0EVWNKTHAFv66GgitZxWw6w4IAVrjiYOxz1Mw1hg8Ilg7AnOMIZNDRm71NoAgy8UaKUz8ys_jmLdgU9EWaJrIs7vNAofZh-WVw-sN-toSjr_hIW90LWu2oVXgOq7HZflJjA/w400-h450/IMG_6942.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And speaking of oil.....check out this guy who we passed one day on the road...he was practicing for upcoming carnival season. A Grenadan tradition, "jab jab" is a celebration of the local people's release from slavery, where they had been brought from Africa to work the sugar cane plantations. It involves ladling gallons of old motor oil over head, while trailing the ropes of bondage. Dramatic, and not advised for the timid!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We enjoyed a great tour of the island, led by guide Cutty. There's a lot to see, especially up in the north end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzuWSK_0b3SGNTnQRAzKmoDjeD5OvvxFt6NVmDQO018MvQ4imrSP-CkgkdlVuhIPABJh8lH1-EWi5_VcgFQODTQSv7E_vA-DOhfe0MiyOeEguKI8OpgdHcQF3qdErxf1tEU4a4aNnxi5BS7mjPi3XCcSdlJfwdNE2EDhNZnJmPhUnn7gccCjRgBkYmA/s2049/IMG_6838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1537" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzuWSK_0b3SGNTnQRAzKmoDjeD5OvvxFt6NVmDQO018MvQ4imrSP-CkgkdlVuhIPABJh8lH1-EWi5_VcgFQODTQSv7E_vA-DOhfe0MiyOeEguKI8OpgdHcQF3qdErxf1tEU4a4aNnxi5BS7mjPi3XCcSdlJfwdNE2EDhNZnJmPhUnn7gccCjRgBkYmA/w480-h640/IMG_6838.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutty was an encyclopedia of the local plants and animals</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYw1ntLrjJIVRFbm_uaeHoATPJyK1aTh84YxMA5JryaD0xpj_R5t2vEbUA2jeaVMRR2P-P2zBbTHqMZfWirT0lKHNZ9QFID1E7hzmGxaFCBwNPmDGImHBBUR_qSe76BkDEXqbyfPOgJUFYtQZ-L7ZQBFoP2rrEYngZ6xRaym9cEmwg6xQJ920DO6gNg/s2049/IMG_6843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYw1ntLrjJIVRFbm_uaeHoATPJyK1aTh84YxMA5JryaD0xpj_R5t2vEbUA2jeaVMRR2P-P2zBbTHqMZfWirT0lKHNZ9QFID1E7hzmGxaFCBwNPmDGImHBBUR_qSe76BkDEXqbyfPOgJUFYtQZ-L7ZQBFoP2rrEYngZ6xRaym9cEmwg6xQJ920DO6gNg/w300-h400/IMG_6843.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnHA_Fj7Yn2claGPAtKu7xUMrbic0mt0xemtjtu9JxHUBhfGt0QRtdel7Oobqyc77TxPz5FVdeRHUQ1A5NpSF8qbFsSamxU1SrhsY9C1CbOithppIv5w2T9WWsweW_s9PYXxymT3ZN2FH6oFdO6seAoQuQB1Ho_RlL1QJ881zUuZ0oEsC1g3ok3l1Xw/s2049/IMG_6854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1537" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnHA_Fj7Yn2claGPAtKu7xUMrbic0mt0xemtjtu9JxHUBhfGt0QRtdel7Oobqyc77TxPz5FVdeRHUQ1A5NpSF8qbFsSamxU1SrhsY9C1CbOithppIv5w2T9WWsweW_s9PYXxymT3ZN2FH6oFdO6seAoQuQB1Ho_RlL1QJ881zUuZ0oEsC1g3ok3l1Xw/w480-h640/IMG_6854.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindi agreed to take one for the team, and soon attracted a throng of not-so-brave tourists!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOxw3DxnjF6vfN3PdI02z5tnp-gymFnOLbAeViMt0LZz6OtKF18GIpCJpwAvfvlYZ-WyyekK9V9y-oz7zNY7VGFrIdZg62xz5rums7POgB-VfA3ULwJXV1GovTAY-_kzoPCE628s5Vn4MGiVcbapBfj_pa9uahiKCAlInTDq58-yoFOp8r9YnRl51NQ/s2049/IMG_6883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOxw3DxnjF6vfN3PdI02z5tnp-gymFnOLbAeViMt0LZz6OtKF18GIpCJpwAvfvlYZ-WyyekK9V9y-oz7zNY7VGFrIdZg62xz5rums7POgB-VfA3ULwJXV1GovTAY-_kzoPCE628s5Vn4MGiVcbapBfj_pa9uahiKCAlInTDq58-yoFOp8r9YnRl51NQ/w640-h480/IMG_6883.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cocoa beans drying in the sun. Grenada is a major producer.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnsXojyV4PvGvU6eAIcUQbagswU4xLn_4Cm_ALBN_gH-B2x5ur_zqfJxIWf7rAcsy-C3tgufSYAqGAyKk5siCGF_yyg8b_p3mue2B3GCeUwQAvYumZ_fDyrjK4GDq7kDnTtPrSmltqXPb3UMxf2Vy7loigQOrOxywBwfD11Yt-Sdhp9ovE3Q1T7DdcQ/s2049/IMG_6900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnsXojyV4PvGvU6eAIcUQbagswU4xLn_4Cm_ALBN_gH-B2x5ur_zqfJxIWf7rAcsy-C3tgufSYAqGAyKk5siCGF_yyg8b_p3mue2B3GCeUwQAvYumZ_fDyrjK4GDq7kDnTtPrSmltqXPb3UMxf2Vy7loigQOrOxywBwfD11Yt-Sdhp9ovE3Q1T7DdcQ/w640-h480/IMG_6900.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course, of rum as well, seen here in the primary fermentation tanks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grenada proved a good place for us to get some work done on Bravo. All of the major marine trades and vendors are available here. We needed a bit of sail repair done to a couple of chafed spots after the passage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJjiCQLF_xb2KKnj0l1zupVwCvWfoOl_0rLEuCfOxAZXOARTp00ptCmb_Orc3-RDVKzpHxwqCvSqRzNbONWDcvzxrcmcO2EB2k-mffy7ThxcVaM8y_PooyqRE-1QrWcF5i9BK-w5xvXcCFo-yyxlojc7GRjPh65ZpsVoHnYZBinCetHdtidjfBMaGUg/s2049/IMG_6807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJjiCQLF_xb2KKnj0l1zupVwCvWfoOl_0rLEuCfOxAZXOARTp00ptCmb_Orc3-RDVKzpHxwqCvSqRzNbONWDcvzxrcmcO2EB2k-mffy7ThxcVaM8y_PooyqRE-1QrWcF5i9BK-w5xvXcCFo-yyxlojc7GRjPh65ZpsVoHnYZBinCetHdtidjfBMaGUg/w300-h400/IMG_6807.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Also, we had noticed that our genset seemed to wobble too much from side to side as we rolled in the swells on the open ocean. There is a Northern Lights (our genset's manufacturer) dealer on the island, and they came out to check it out. Found that the mounts had been installed upside down!!! Happily no long term damage done, and it just took a couple of hours to get it corrected.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally, a few parting shots of Grenada.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzqNnF4_-9iBJdQwCdULS0SAKo7PswWOLfRx9hhWjYwNgU_TCX18nRUGEli9is6BN8zey8cUDcc73eGvtJVAllJxVTXXn5o8Dd6bCNUwh33tjkUXLLmgX0Lnjv_ovj9ekt3-5khB7Wblr5EmtWvlzlWKESCZhYFRm2iYZpuo70sydJ6pN0Hu3ZJkD4w/s2049/IMG_0021.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzqNnF4_-9iBJdQwCdULS0SAKo7PswWOLfRx9hhWjYwNgU_TCX18nRUGEli9is6BN8zey8cUDcc73eGvtJVAllJxVTXXn5o8Dd6bCNUwh33tjkUXLLmgX0Lnjv_ovj9ekt3-5khB7Wblr5EmtWvlzlWKESCZhYFRm2iYZpuo70sydJ6pN0Hu3ZJkD4w/w640-h480/IMG_0021.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL1FuBErcuO_T2-Cjo1iDIb4dFyPcApWZuNKQYLqD9FwPA6jiQZEk8IHEPR1EsajwxPuiD_Lw9s71xfHhxlHT_a6lYQDej5Fx_-xlGVCQbvxLi5WL1QXbV6CHDLd4bQwvAOksaRtZdg_aEFpjY-VjX6s_4dhxvn07ZSguSyKgtv7p-u6iZnZVd4UYSg/s2049/IMG_7032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL1FuBErcuO_T2-Cjo1iDIb4dFyPcApWZuNKQYLqD9FwPA6jiQZEk8IHEPR1EsajwxPuiD_Lw9s71xfHhxlHT_a6lYQDej5Fx_-xlGVCQbvxLi5WL1QXbV6CHDLd4bQwvAOksaRtZdg_aEFpjY-VjX6s_4dhxvn07ZSguSyKgtv7p-u6iZnZVd4UYSg/w640-h480/IMG_7032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Patrick's day, complete with green beer and wine, with Jesse and Lynn from sy Offspring</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVdAO05MwQxBXhO5fx9haohPKTC36j3gb49XVqklayGjslNvgMNH09e7iLRkFC6-QLHhlw0QqZBPOF8o6C2a732UzkUFPu7HQC5uFdWWZpiNQc7ZBMnsA_Ik2e5MnKG-6VaSVqkP8MVaLHG2h4tL0rHWMEhwVpIgWhE0lNmoES9SPWJLah0Fhy3TuCQ/s2049/IMG_7080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVdAO05MwQxBXhO5fx9haohPKTC36j3gb49XVqklayGjslNvgMNH09e7iLRkFC6-QLHhlw0QqZBPOF8o6C2a732UzkUFPu7HQC5uFdWWZpiNQc7ZBMnsA_Ik2e5MnKG-6VaSVqkP8MVaLHG2h4tL0rHWMEhwVpIgWhE0lNmoES9SPWJLah0Fhy3TuCQ/w640-h480/IMG_7080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefUjn3ZrBZzv1AHWTkNWCKW2zg-TSydNSw4Eccmqt53hpoY7tgcw40Z8iXIZNKKhBvqSgEQq9wBtTIvFoxNuunNK2VW4AJN6HpxjElMpayvyLYCDhQwVoqiI18EITAlh3CrWoC9IKTH4VGAalvAAy0enleS8luF2SoPv6kXaVfdutMNFMyNkc5uzCjw/s2049/IMG_7083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefUjn3ZrBZzv1AHWTkNWCKW2zg-TSydNSw4Eccmqt53hpoY7tgcw40Z8iXIZNKKhBvqSgEQq9wBtTIvFoxNuunNK2VW4AJN6HpxjElMpayvyLYCDhQwVoqiI18EITAlh3CrWoC9IKTH4VGAalvAAy0enleS8luF2SoPv6kXaVfdutMNFMyNkc5uzCjw/w640-h480/IMG_7083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island of Cariacou, part of Grenada, was one of our favorite spots!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>St. Lucia:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all of the time spent in the "Spice Islands" of Grenada, it was time to get up to St. Lucia, where friends Paul and Melissa were flying in from Seattle for a couple of week holiday, spent both on shore and with us aboard Bravo. Amazingly, we were also able to rendezvous for a few hours with old Seattle friends Paul and Mary, who coincidentally were sailing on a cruise clipper ship, and were anchored in Marigot bay for a morning. Fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our time in St. Lucia was brief, but very nice. We spent our time here in both Marigot Bay and Rodney Bay, as well as a bit of land travel south. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa85Xra8SGptjFc3UYoBlkfBBmR22RwkTa4TZ7EKmaJ4Nkhvtw6iJ8wXMDz7qtNIzpspARsrZ9O0GRMSOk-C_awPhFEECbNy7jol1BWHeQs0lOlLeY39G70NaXua9kCGKb9mUXYrATbG0rMXPZ9M-0N6uNbvN9DMnesiQKXZgavn1b6utTe-sXjBxvQ/s2049/IMG_0075.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa85Xra8SGptjFc3UYoBlkfBBmR22RwkTa4TZ7EKmaJ4Nkhvtw6iJ8wXMDz7qtNIzpspARsrZ9O0GRMSOk-C_awPhFEECbNy7jol1BWHeQs0lOlLeY39G70NaXua9kCGKb9mUXYrATbG0rMXPZ9M-0N6uNbvN9DMnesiQKXZgavn1b6utTe-sXjBxvQ/w640-h480/IMG_0075.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"The Pitons" peaks in the south of St. Lucia</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfggEcDVcyiVdMgKlgrOK1n3dRQvxzvvTceTKWDteeNuYpblNiPwYlGLr41eumfdf-IYR_ykR6iPC_VipsvN7wt7NDkDaU7oYn_bWCFeumuzvYnVdYSkFBvZOyOWptKTRWaDXvZgmZzSzgzZ3w857TjFBLrFUPuVaqnTwil7oOQYOkJuuvA_ZEbrLdEg/s2049/IMG_0155.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfggEcDVcyiVdMgKlgrOK1n3dRQvxzvvTceTKWDteeNuYpblNiPwYlGLr41eumfdf-IYR_ykR6iPC_VipsvN7wt7NDkDaU7oYn_bWCFeumuzvYnVdYSkFBvZOyOWptKTRWaDXvZgmZzSzgzZ3w857TjFBLrFUPuVaqnTwil7oOQYOkJuuvA_ZEbrLdEg/w640-h480/IMG_0155.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XMRNwpeX0vPLRx1CxrxHo47O0Wq6CEfyMLNmFHQ9mT5i1h9abYFWgnHgN30KXQmv6IfVlmCcY1g7wQtvScB4KN_4XR3z7910sMpB0wggWLwL8_aazlN3NQ0ATf38GuVjKbIuHUd2c8vg03iWFHnPCKOlh2HE3EN9QwE1F3CBgbKi_HnLBIv2VByJyw/s5401/IMG_7168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="5401" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XMRNwpeX0vPLRx1CxrxHo47O0Wq6CEfyMLNmFHQ9mT5i1h9abYFWgnHgN30KXQmv6IfVlmCcY1g7wQtvScB4KN_4XR3z7910sMpB0wggWLwL8_aazlN3NQ0ATf38GuVjKbIuHUd2c8vg03iWFHnPCKOlh2HE3EN9QwE1F3CBgbKi_HnLBIv2VByJyw/w640-h152/IMG_7168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Buying fruits and vegetables was fun, as Gordon made the rounds and visited the anchored boats every morning on his whacky boat. Our friends on sy Maunie remembered Gordon from their time in St. Lucia around 12 years ago. He told us he's been at it for over 20 years, selling fruits and veg from his garden.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJra2WqBloXome2u6Q6BeOl2gOtXCXyUYrGEdNRULoE4fwOcDn6axWUBQlDtWXN3SlP0oVJF4nYtSVrom7L6SXhfCTfMc-Yei4cZwDVsQoNj0d9TtKHanWuQYRUzY7SYHsVNjJ5Jz6JAHcQlkITSa4F9oBHNkG6c1UYdWggdJjG45AcQIYNaOa0AEmA/s2049/IMG_0141.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJra2WqBloXome2u6Q6BeOl2gOtXCXyUYrGEdNRULoE4fwOcDn6axWUBQlDtWXN3SlP0oVJF4nYtSVrom7L6SXhfCTfMc-Yei4cZwDVsQoNj0d9TtKHanWuQYRUzY7SYHsVNjJ5Jz6JAHcQlkITSa4F9oBHNkG6c1UYdWggdJjG45AcQIYNaOa0AEmA/w640-h480/IMG_0141.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNjRKFwCXIQlujcRM7s_AaiNtF4TRy8BMsDShbm6nYvGpOljJt8IBteWU6097O8lNV7IuLPaK1_5FeMF6URJiml8Rv7d1aI71CxHOfF6YGkFnpBEjXdu1p-E3CXyfnykGH3IkZf7RBL4h9hSqLxrTKHv2Mt5nHwJJIPG3M5mO2O00lmHxMPeXQUMgSg/s2049/IMG_0146.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNjRKFwCXIQlujcRM7s_AaiNtF4TRy8BMsDShbm6nYvGpOljJt8IBteWU6097O8lNV7IuLPaK1_5FeMF6URJiml8Rv7d1aI71CxHOfF6YGkFnpBEjXdu1p-E3CXyfnykGH3IkZf7RBL4h9hSqLxrTKHv2Mt5nHwJJIPG3M5mO2O00lmHxMPeXQUMgSg/w640-h480/IMG_0146.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Didn't get a photo of it, but he had a big sign on the side of his boat, read "THIS BOAT AVAILABLE FOR CHARTER"!!!!! A true character!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiegyBWenFgs1gZ0FHs12VERIEyOmAr4U4Bh8KIXLrwzyDT-3q4l60YcPkfKWOsJRCn8Enw5_zcNygVlCc6Sin2MiKVa3UT9FIsUOouu1liZDWCszSEYEBsBTyXVxH5naHxmQxU64yuEAB7jUbbsywfE91psBYs3qBBggPlj6YLligqBwvLSTqF_5LQ/s2049/IMG_7198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1537" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiegyBWenFgs1gZ0FHs12VERIEyOmAr4U4Bh8KIXLrwzyDT-3q4l60YcPkfKWOsJRCn8Enw5_zcNygVlCc6Sin2MiKVa3UT9FIsUOouu1liZDWCszSEYEBsBTyXVxH5naHxmQxU64yuEAB7jUbbsywfE91psBYs3qBBggPlj6YLligqBwvLSTqF_5LQ/w480-h640/IMG_7198.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxa29omGhOb7hHUxGr9FUlQDEp5RyEat1T_oMfJ7U56fziU8ioXF-hsfxI6zS_Xy080pCARctuUvU9vu52XT4wxMRyGcEq7RpFIDNL21yX-GNLnoHJGEs7HjoJyEHjVprgGtLigXoNrZxsnVCY2HwHTmpYuG1-Izi6KtRLkdBbEITWxHmAGoeApzuUfA/s2049/IMG_7132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxa29omGhOb7hHUxGr9FUlQDEp5RyEat1T_oMfJ7U56fziU8ioXF-hsfxI6zS_Xy080pCARctuUvU9vu52XT4wxMRyGcEq7RpFIDNL21yX-GNLnoHJGEs7HjoJyEHjVprgGtLigXoNrZxsnVCY2HwHTmpYuG1-Izi6KtRLkdBbEITWxHmAGoeApzuUfA/w640-h480/IMG_7132.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOZJOSK8_yKV-scUhF1Ew1-nHvC10fvr63obh4roo8N6GWs3xrxBQKSmCO1Tf5nZ1AQYH-vrz4lzhI8pHb8wttIRoEQrqOYlWhoM9mf0WQEVCS3lrMDlxwrxwhEHMgOKG0LARIvbGaMDYFLupp3P4jkhxwRu4bQBAXas6IEbV_darqcVxfAU63baYdQ/s2049/IMG_7129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOZJOSK8_yKV-scUhF1Ew1-nHvC10fvr63obh4roo8N6GWs3xrxBQKSmCO1Tf5nZ1AQYH-vrz4lzhI8pHb8wttIRoEQrqOYlWhoM9mf0WQEVCS3lrMDlxwrxwhEHMgOKG0LARIvbGaMDYFLupp3P4jkhxwRu4bQBAXas6IEbV_darqcVxfAU63baYdQ/w640-h480/IMG_7129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Martinique:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After St. Lucia, we headed north to Martinique. This French island is home to a huge fleet of charter boats, and is known as a place to get anything needed for a boat, including sometimes hard-to-find parts for French built boats such as Bravo. We needed a couple of small parts, so decided to stop here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our first impression of the island was not entirely favorable. The main town, Le Marin, is the yachting base, and it had an enormous mooring field of both charter boats as well as boats stored here by European owners for the upcoming hurricane season. It seemed very few cruisers really came here for anything other than boat work. And shopping for European delicacies. (tasty!!!). We really only needed some dinghy/outboard work and a part for our Genoa sail furler.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One morning we asked on the vhf radio if anyone had a water maker output tester, as ours was giving questionable readings. A nearby Aussie boat, sy Distant Drummer answered that they had one we could borrow, and we dinghied over. When they heard we were on a Boreal, they said that his sister's husband just had another Boreal 52 launched in France! It turned out that it was LENA, owned by Anthony, who we've been in regular communication with throughout his build period!!! What a small world! We ended up good mates with Suzie and Neil, and enjoyed renting a car and touring the island together for a couple of days. Good fun. It also gave us a much better feel for the island, as the northern, more remote parts feel much more authentic Caribbean, and less touristy than the yacht harbors. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also enjoyed a rendezvous with friends aboard Reine Marguerite, a boat we last saw in the South Pacific several years ago. They weathered the Covid lockdown in Martinique.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO00jVSYP4adLbK_pWPjryI46dvctAaoXzk_velNX7ngr8RtDQ51UOqBiFaMzzlpllYyfO9aMnytzILtrKuBo7gG79cOlolGx0urJqd8goolHMmWMBmf1NNrv2ljL5i1m6_0QVpTwi_cUDOgllxdYlinWZpgScRFkj4PLuajUIOeEeqh994nByAOhWA/s2049/IMG_7269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO00jVSYP4adLbK_pWPjryI46dvctAaoXzk_velNX7ngr8RtDQ51UOqBiFaMzzlpllYyfO9aMnytzILtrKuBo7gG79cOlolGx0urJqd8goolHMmWMBmf1NNrv2ljL5i1m6_0QVpTwi_cUDOgllxdYlinWZpgScRFkj4PLuajUIOeEeqh994nByAOhWA/w640-h480/IMG_7269.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeFZbdR1hi-XFvefRinuJysn41wUsigQ4mXltV8C4pJF5wH41X4uwj6DEdErNkrFsB-8q6Cpflka4fzEU4SdQD96NS8TMmQy5I7J61VwslzErZXkOWNP6kO-c8TNH3Mx4Ikq3MUH0XlE6zTUhSq0e65U6Ok-Gv6dGYEE6nmM9TIKD5rN1rxX5gSi5dg/s2049/IMG_7277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeFZbdR1hi-XFvefRinuJysn41wUsigQ4mXltV8C4pJF5wH41X4uwj6DEdErNkrFsB-8q6Cpflka4fzEU4SdQD96NS8TMmQy5I7J61VwslzErZXkOWNP6kO-c8TNH3Mx4Ikq3MUH0XlE6zTUhSq0e65U6Ok-Gv6dGYEE6nmM9TIKD5rN1rxX5gSi5dg/w640-h480/IMG_7277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parking for campsites on holiday weekends could be a bit free form!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiM76SfT6OM4YHXwNuBhUoBCAGCb71gOfJ7ZBmiqrWe7OUkygv4MnLCJ9czDIaRD2g0I7oNNoVsHJMfYbgghkYVyQvHDRRWHUjxAlZzIcT3IioL8G7Ta49t4SNLhDjZhQM1gNFg4IgG_ZMmaB5arydv-Kr8fSMmPK2idj0LqhWPeovdF2EvVG_0vWdw/s2049/IMG_7291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiM76SfT6OM4YHXwNuBhUoBCAGCb71gOfJ7ZBmiqrWe7OUkygv4MnLCJ9czDIaRD2g0I7oNNoVsHJMfYbgghkYVyQvHDRRWHUjxAlZzIcT3IioL8G7Ta49t4SNLhDjZhQM1gNFg4IgG_ZMmaB5arydv-Kr8fSMmPK2idj0LqhWPeovdF2EvVG_0vWdw/w640-h480/IMG_7291.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW7qc6l4lrE0raPx-8j1SqlcIzkqzowabPv6V_Y5f-auyxgpv2YcitOvv8f6dIsiLlXVTd8zEq-SubFnd5x_OTDXIobRHV6XwPOxhknDUek39Es_xsqX2Mp_6SRZdCohceaoHNnXz5SU7C0TV-IYkh2Vr0btLMtFeNiAC-ttj8LhYMQJwsvIhnyhneQ/s2049/IMG_7297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW7qc6l4lrE0raPx-8j1SqlcIzkqzowabPv6V_Y5f-auyxgpv2YcitOvv8f6dIsiLlXVTd8zEq-SubFnd5x_OTDXIobRHV6XwPOxhknDUek39Es_xsqX2Mp_6SRZdCohceaoHNnXz5SU7C0TV-IYkh2Vr0btLMtFeNiAC-ttj8LhYMQJwsvIhnyhneQ/w480-h640/IMG_7297.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Touring Martinique with Neil and Susie let to a quest for the search for the best rum distillery! Important research that must be done!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEb_LU_9aVS5kDvn1wjqdAyk0q8yIIriE1www5ST-K9uu1CxRC0Jgqf2OKnAmMgEYl1sKwA-yYmya3kytLG44LH9qBCMIrxlfPSfdRQYpOM-eElN2hSLRM81uw6qtysBEafthVwjBZSGVqFseJm67K1QFH-mXHe34vy8ccD_sPg-yym0z_atnoAs8JA/s2049/IMG_7298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEb_LU_9aVS5kDvn1wjqdAyk0q8yIIriE1www5ST-K9uu1CxRC0Jgqf2OKnAmMgEYl1sKwA-yYmya3kytLG44LH9qBCMIrxlfPSfdRQYpOM-eElN2hSLRM81uw6qtysBEafthVwjBZSGVqFseJm67K1QFH-mXHe34vy8ccD_sPg-yym0z_atnoAs8JA/w640-h480/IMG_7298.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqBvT2wpH60XuHElhbBC2FVN68Bm-PLVPezs0k60GERG_3ALsFvgY7Sn0xFtLgkmJXNYluUrA2-SsqjdN-rHKS5poOoJINsFLnAGOOLgO3iavyX0iUgh4MEfzjK0cImAf3zUIxJYdo1ZdidcgCe-KHLfWu50pcUCEMlSfVtlO30SHs82odC93tKHIvA/s2049/IMG_7302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqBvT2wpH60XuHElhbBC2FVN68Bm-PLVPezs0k60GERG_3ALsFvgY7Sn0xFtLgkmJXNYluUrA2-SsqjdN-rHKS5poOoJINsFLnAGOOLgO3iavyX0iUgh4MEfzjK0cImAf3zUIxJYdo1ZdidcgCe-KHLfWu50pcUCEMlSfVtlO30SHs82odC93tKHIvA/w640-h480/IMG_7302.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z6p689CLwi4N4-S4BaM7R0TdBaBJLOlqV1ee8oJRVcL3ff8ggWjQWuLkhBz829AzBk3a8M8_AnXMOoAflhSUC01On8w61AixTwCpHWSPWmfgYX2p0_AB66wMfmVI7MhKwbeGFUZe7zMEltCXYaFNQozYxBZMfpTiA2scYe5_t-5XNxfle2A_PhmC1g/s2049/IMG_7310%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1537" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z6p689CLwi4N4-S4BaM7R0TdBaBJLOlqV1ee8oJRVcL3ff8ggWjQWuLkhBz829AzBk3a8M8_AnXMOoAflhSUC01On8w61AixTwCpHWSPWmfgYX2p0_AB66wMfmVI7MhKwbeGFUZe7zMEltCXYaFNQozYxBZMfpTiA2scYe5_t-5XNxfle2A_PhmC1g/w480-h640/IMG_7310%20Copy.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some cool old machinery in these early distilleries</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmNXwYWYIKlEZKlhWmzqd2UFlZ-96HMC3Y60TFbvg6h-8MinmfBdKevIWOxMK7e3pS94lUzMuKZCuh2auD-ZnSFHL9B0Di_sjDhixSO5GRjIrETnM6Gz_QF0-mnBnkOe-dj84WPRLgdXlL4eliJgQwkrEdwTzBYt7uHR1NRGYvElWWe-LY-htuzVF5Q/s2049/IMG_7318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmNXwYWYIKlEZKlhWmzqd2UFlZ-96HMC3Y60TFbvg6h-8MinmfBdKevIWOxMK7e3pS94lUzMuKZCuh2auD-ZnSFHL9B0Di_sjDhixSO5GRjIrETnM6Gz_QF0-mnBnkOe-dj84WPRLgdXlL4eliJgQwkrEdwTzBYt7uHR1NRGYvElWWe-LY-htuzVF5Q/w640-h480/IMG_7318.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoicv41R2WSm3GW6P-BPSI57lfwxjJaAz6OOfiwVcrQIXrKFOA1kI03J8y5YzBS05z3hTBxWa4KEKB9Meby7En0Mi3kDTJHOoraN_zdWEDXmzE4mFTTGbRGqsrMSGK850XrmuWcsneFG-ddzrykFgtY6G2GUr3N-280nCXX5x5jK7zTPvlEJom9i46UQ/s2049/IMG_7324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoicv41R2WSm3GW6P-BPSI57lfwxjJaAz6OOfiwVcrQIXrKFOA1kI03J8y5YzBS05z3hTBxWa4KEKB9Meby7En0Mi3kDTJHOoraN_zdWEDXmzE4mFTTGbRGqsrMSGK850XrmuWcsneFG-ddzrykFgtY6G2GUr3N-280nCXX5x5jK7zTPvlEJom9i46UQ/w640-h480/IMG_7324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhnO1rFq2H-SF8bbgNyXpHaxuh3XdB8uF2oetUOZCBVYUNQQqIDkYJDap3OVl8cGyIy1SGP2QZC6gXxfBLCaysyKII5-5TiFnNVhonLLucDBMHJpruWUFTYz8eJORs8KW6VXiz9d10H_mr7g4RevOZfUmh0rZJ708iWENcLZo_fTXtc_6n3JhcsYUVQ/s2049/IMG_7332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhnO1rFq2H-SF8bbgNyXpHaxuh3XdB8uF2oetUOZCBVYUNQQqIDkYJDap3OVl8cGyIy1SGP2QZC6gXxfBLCaysyKII5-5TiFnNVhonLLucDBMHJpruWUFTYz8eJORs8KW6VXiz9d10H_mr7g4RevOZfUmh0rZJ708iWENcLZo_fTXtc_6n3JhcsYUVQ/w640-h480/IMG_7332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Like most of the Caribbean islands, Martinique was formed by volcanoes. This was the site of the eruption of Mt. Pelee (cloud over Pelee shown above), in 1902. It sunk many ships anchored in the harbor, and covered the town in lava and ash, killing 29,000 people, one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions in history. Below is the floor of the large performing arts theatre in the city, now preserved as a national park.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR-AQG7PE3fYNkpatDFb95KYgx1lH2Aek6Y9kmX3BpD5rmWv80PfysHB4uM98dqY6hYRE7ah_pC1XlnLJRw88vOYkHRoT11oVO2HXR7pUb5E8zcNBmU9DbPJifoXxttNcuTkUjzVcF2yU6AKx_ZhlYvAF0qwKZDx1EfbSbeuViLDKEYq_zVlgTvvJmA/s2049/IMG_7348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR-AQG7PE3fYNkpatDFb95KYgx1lH2Aek6Y9kmX3BpD5rmWv80PfysHB4uM98dqY6hYRE7ah_pC1XlnLJRw88vOYkHRoT11oVO2HXR7pUb5E8zcNBmU9DbPJifoXxttNcuTkUjzVcF2yU6AKx_ZhlYvAF0qwKZDx1EfbSbeuViLDKEYq_zVlgTvvJmA/w640-h480/IMG_7348.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUNh8j9afviLmkAY83LG18cRnfqrwXeIkhcWAyNELcvYvB826StQI56EfCdgVgm6qx5PVSCl_4dmW4VAB-z-t5Nu9Mg9_MHtr8O1wgrmTkdv5HaQTvrJXlh43_nQHvrTYZzeEdMQusBH6SyfKaeQNhNZ26sv92Fevzii_MuokjBxk0O58IaUdA6gjvw/s640/IMG_7352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="478" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUNh8j9afviLmkAY83LG18cRnfqrwXeIkhcWAyNELcvYvB826StQI56EfCdgVgm6qx5PVSCl_4dmW4VAB-z-t5Nu9Mg9_MHtr8O1wgrmTkdv5HaQTvrJXlh43_nQHvrTYZzeEdMQusBH6SyfKaeQNhNZ26sv92Fevzii_MuokjBxk0O58IaUdA6gjvw/w478-h640/IMG_7352.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2V2MtBMSAnjIYWNrPmYalUSps3Rwm8xzw7Se2thG3hOP1mIgsQx--P7gBhu83a-kyGzKJBtlqnu3zq_gaGc8-h8fuxj3AcZE6f59aGnYveAdihX8gPtJmOaBVaC8R9UNLM5-aiQvKgZT2tEBhTTYcTJHX0XxyuwpqNZO49B6e1cuoHDWrOWZNgYXFKA/s640/IMG_7342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2V2MtBMSAnjIYWNrPmYalUSps3Rwm8xzw7Se2thG3hOP1mIgsQx--P7gBhu83a-kyGzKJBtlqnu3zq_gaGc8-h8fuxj3AcZE6f59aGnYveAdihX8gPtJmOaBVaC8R9UNLM5-aiQvKgZT2tEBhTTYcTJHX0XxyuwpqNZO49B6e1cuoHDWrOWZNgYXFKA/w640-h478/IMG_7342.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOJVxFpSIehSltj9d7mrUppD62K-jm-wYpI8RBs0zUEo7ibwV81_jNf5Pt_8bmW1mpBRDD7N7aNZr_9iLaYRWYpFtLWo8xeO4JjRxhPTNPQJ9tpQKs7pzUzi-QFcsKpReNEKh0S5Gk0RpOXUxW4wUtb4mMGHlTHpSfCQ4r60ou_YxpWZGf01VNdNyqA/s640/IMG_7354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOJVxFpSIehSltj9d7mrUppD62K-jm-wYpI8RBs0zUEo7ibwV81_jNf5Pt_8bmW1mpBRDD7N7aNZr_9iLaYRWYpFtLWo8xeO4JjRxhPTNPQJ9tpQKs7pzUzi-QFcsKpReNEKh0S5Gk0RpOXUxW4wUtb4mMGHlTHpSfCQ4r60ou_YxpWZGf01VNdNyqA/w640-h478/IMG_7354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJJGhTxC32MCR-Uq7ujXlO-O0XGNw3mpq6Sj0WjUviOdeblzqt1cqvGkUZ4eSr-DyxlhHiSQ6925ZeXe_o5kr2IgYZPIe2zZG53E74Bw5TVoRMLEIVKWk5hPSx853_KETlVzLquccgwCCUXCRS7-vSCIa1iCoeA-m21zqIHlotq3VKOyuadA2lhMWog/s640/IMG_7356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJJGhTxC32MCR-Uq7ujXlO-O0XGNw3mpq6Sj0WjUviOdeblzqt1cqvGkUZ4eSr-DyxlhHiSQ6925ZeXe_o5kr2IgYZPIe2zZG53E74Bw5TVoRMLEIVKWk5hPSx853_KETlVzLquccgwCCUXCRS7-vSCIa1iCoeA-m21zqIHlotq3VKOyuadA2lhMWog/w640-h478/IMG_7356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Dominica:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After Martinique we sailed north to Dominica. We really didn't have high expectations....in fact we had few expectations at all. We really didn't know much about the island. We knew it had been hit hard by hurricane Maria in 2017. The entire island had been devastated, with whole villages being washed away. But the word was that it was recovering nicely, and we anchored in Portsmouth to have a look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wow, we were so glad that we did! Dominica proved to be our favorite island in the Caribbean (of the relatively few we've explored). The people couldn't have been nicer, and, with no international airport, there really is little large scale tourism except for the cruising yachts who enjoy the island's charms. Nice, and a good taste of the authentic Caribbean that we've been looking for!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One interesting program that's been developed in Portsmouth Bay (which should be copied throughout the Caribbean) is the recent formation of PAYS (Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services). In the past, when visiting yachts would enter the harbor, they would be swamped by hordes of "boat boys"; young guys who would offer, sometimes quite aggressively, their services for everything from help anchoring, cleaning, dinghy watching, etc. It got so bad that many boats simply took Dominica off their list of islands to visit. So a few years ago, a few yachties got together with the island leadership and shared the concerns. And out of the meetings developed the idea of the PAYS collective.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, each day is "owned" by one of the guys, in a regular rotation. When we entered the bay, a single boat came out to greet us, and offer us any assistance needed, including interfacing with Customs and Immigration. Sure there was a fee (around $40US, as I recall), but we felt like we were getting something in return, and it was good to pump some money into the economy (hurting badly after the double whammy of Maria followed by Covid). They own (and supposedly maintain) the moorings in the bay, which we tied to. And host a great bbq every Sunday night. All good stuff, and should make Dominica a must visit stop on all cruisers' itineraries!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPqKkiAF9uBD29zwsNe1HztV681qYfw9Ca4U5tfEDJNnNwwO2l9pWFcqMGmA4PQZ0K6Q0RpWdpLMeVQACJCRZfHdMHJBfsXQpji4baagUbJ3Vg5U-aSuWzRVb_nHnfbnFwYZaltFZqm0qesc_cKZKbYC9HjAd6FBCV-odmcUMqHSHy_z0OD0Polwf0Q/s640/IMG_7389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="487" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPqKkiAF9uBD29zwsNe1HztV681qYfw9Ca4U5tfEDJNnNwwO2l9pWFcqMGmA4PQZ0K6Q0RpWdpLMeVQACJCRZfHdMHJBfsXQpji4baagUbJ3Vg5U-aSuWzRVb_nHnfbnFwYZaltFZqm0qesc_cKZKbYC9HjAd6FBCV-odmcUMqHSHy_z0OD0Polwf0Q/w305-h400/IMG_7389.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>We did a couple of island tours with Martin "Providence", one of the founders of PAYS, and an Ocean Cruising Club port officer. Martin trained as a botanist and was a wealth of information on all of the incredible plant species on the island, whether ornamental, edible, or medicinal. With the large rainforest on the island, the plants and bird species are really phenominal, and we really enjoyed all of the time Martin shared with us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmxcKBKSqGUPK27suk8MCEVU_XvFYYZcAZCKKETVwUox8_-tZi_myDC4ZnANV6znzkye4hk5MmgqdHo5Durt1VmLhqYeoBVw_8V3rts9XgfjTyk0_CxDRhd-B6MHD1bOUI5Uh-3fYr-FjpKF8jbsFnapbHUAUpEEIx404_Gp4lRwDiJZaN40qFA6AmA/s640/IMG_7367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmxcKBKSqGUPK27suk8MCEVU_XvFYYZcAZCKKETVwUox8_-tZi_myDC4ZnANV6znzkye4hk5MmgqdHo5Durt1VmLhqYeoBVw_8V3rts9XgfjTyk0_CxDRhd-B6MHD1bOUI5Uh-3fYr-FjpKF8jbsFnapbHUAUpEEIx404_Gp4lRwDiJZaN40qFA6AmA/w640-h478/IMG_7367.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoldaxkfXftzAx8XCtTykkCjEH-JYT81_giyFYrBspPln7wKaoFik0vuQ8gnW2DN_AcBvGliNCaTfoXo5Ln5p_foZI6GzyYoBp59xs4uDhZ8FndNritfiyfdUReYuLAnmDs4NmeWPOezkH71h141EEumrjMDnLeUyaYVqCs1rXdjaaqo0c9MoL7EEJA/s640/IMG_7453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoldaxkfXftzAx8XCtTykkCjEH-JYT81_giyFYrBspPln7wKaoFik0vuQ8gnW2DN_AcBvGliNCaTfoXo5Ln5p_foZI6GzyYoBp59xs4uDhZ8FndNritfiyfdUReYuLAnmDs4NmeWPOezkH71h141EEumrjMDnLeUyaYVqCs1rXdjaaqo0c9MoL7EEJA/w640-h478/IMG_7453.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Sint Maarten:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our stay in Dominica of just over a week was far too short, but time was running out as the June 1 official start of hurricane season was getting ever closer. Sadly we said our goodbyes, and headed out in the evening for the overnight sail to Sint Maarten. Known as a popular duty free port, we were hoping on some values in camera gear, diesel, electronics, etc. Unfortunately we found that those days are over. While there may not be duty on items, the prices are not much better than we'd find available from mail order shops or chandleries in the US and Europe. Ah well.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4NfSNVuL9i4wmj-cnQgzHvcMXuvPljJen_2-x8RJuTg8Rd73tHq1D3axXEzdwsKxYdA7pcr4JJfIQRjO_jZVg9pG9ONDgL-n3hSKPLvrnmmuCiTKng8SQ1Gm_c5V_Uxet0zJJJePNafY0zxF8lpzzpR3GGVH6Mt2VNPwTob8BX0TOaaOFjTCI5Aomg/s1927/IMG_7487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="1927" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4NfSNVuL9i4wmj-cnQgzHvcMXuvPljJen_2-x8RJuTg8Rd73tHq1D3axXEzdwsKxYdA7pcr4JJfIQRjO_jZVg9pG9ONDgL-n3hSKPLvrnmmuCiTKng8SQ1Gm_c5V_Uxet0zJJJePNafY0zxF8lpzzpR3GGVH6Mt2VNPwTob8BX0TOaaOFjTCI5Aomg/w640-h480/IMG_7487.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for a cruise ship!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF9rvNp48wZljEknv1KcdLqqFf7pLpvaW5miAbREXZOy0MvQgA7zvcWozBmIZU5Y8ir7MKIozVxD6rWBI1GFsOAQIQHxwPT3km1U70QqNmtwofyVIP2xOHQTcFjGT8s61NX6AlT2STJsyGy9QBClmtimMW4fhVe92iX7qAvW8W68vcDNh4QcAxljRYQ/s4032/IMG_7484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF9rvNp48wZljEknv1KcdLqqFf7pLpvaW5miAbREXZOy0MvQgA7zvcWozBmIZU5Y8ir7MKIozVxD6rWBI1GFsOAQIQHxwPT3km1U70QqNmtwofyVIP2xOHQTcFjGT8s61NX6AlT2STJsyGy9QBClmtimMW4fhVe92iX7qAvW8W68vcDNh4QcAxljRYQ/w640-h480/IMG_7484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For all of the "Breaking Bad" fans out there!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We anchored in Simpson Bay on the Dutch side (1/2 of the island is owned by the Dutch, the other by the French). There are some excellent chandleries and yacht services available. But we didn't need too much done, so spent less than a week here before moving on. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>British Virgin Islands:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this brings us to the BVI's, where we are today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The BVI's are cruising Disneyland! All charter boats, all the time!!! It's really pretty amazing, and in 12 years of cruising around the world, we've never seen anything like it! In most anchorages or mooring fields, we are the only non-charter boat around, and usually the only monohull in a sea of catamarans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6q2Z841SssgN0gBqztWLbi8TZ6gQ1zRvr1AwrgNr4QCW9I92CbtGVrMZ0oSmmUxE8dlqXROiWdhqTQoK83br2vpRJ8xJEGWZd2gPrw1hjANC8VQl9DZsFmYh_cCCy1nVKPeVyB8kvSVXpTp7R9eYTATcOybTPZTBVxL1HmqxkovuDswGh_PV32_ePQ/s2016/IMG_7507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6q2Z841SssgN0gBqztWLbi8TZ6gQ1zRvr1AwrgNr4QCW9I92CbtGVrMZ0oSmmUxE8dlqXROiWdhqTQoK83br2vpRJ8xJEGWZd2gPrw1hjANC8VQl9DZsFmYh_cCCy1nVKPeVyB8kvSVXpTp7R9eYTATcOybTPZTBVxL1HmqxkovuDswGh_PV32_ePQ/w640-h480/IMG_7507.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you can time it right, the BVI's can be quiet and beautiful!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_VPTZmjpGVhxAmiYkmb6zyWuBme2EmWHWASDlG3FRr48yOnXkgvM3hHUMuxOtmTGLmDTfA6DkgjmY22cS3I_vEW0QUt28ZkEjKA77IGJfb1_AmkxUNE8Hm_hwnoaYx6i4tj4_0bdSdowsMhjR7ibD6gKhCDS9lTzIdaQbodjkKoWu7MLYHhARGfBrA/s2016/IMG_7510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_VPTZmjpGVhxAmiYkmb6zyWuBme2EmWHWASDlG3FRr48yOnXkgvM3hHUMuxOtmTGLmDTfA6DkgjmY22cS3I_vEW0QUt28ZkEjKA77IGJfb1_AmkxUNE8Hm_hwnoaYx6i4tj4_0bdSdowsMhjR7ibD6gKhCDS9lTzIdaQbodjkKoWu7MLYHhARGfBrA/w640-h480/IMG_7510.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately this is more typical (and this was 1/2 empty according to the locals)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But we certainly get it. The islands are very pretty, with lovely beaches and sheltered anchorages and bays. If it's your scene, the beach bars are anywhere you like, and the rum punch and painkillers flow freely. Navigation is line of sight between islands, and the inner Drake Channel provides swell free sailing from anchorage to anchorage. Perfect for a 2 week charter holiday. Snorkeling is fair, not great.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nice, but not really our scene. We'll spend a few more days getting provisioned, then wait for a weather window to get north to Bermuda. From there we'll head to the US North East, where we'll work our way from NY to Maine, then up to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland for the summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Wrap Up:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our season in the Caribbean has been interesting, though not spectacular especially after 10 years in the South Pacific. Much of it is crowded with snowbird sailors and charters, and it requires a lot of effort to get "off the beaten track". But as we said above, we get it. Boat services are fairly easy to come by. It's easy (though less so in these Covid times) to hop from island country to island country, and while there is a certain sameness to them, each has it's unique personality. Obviously we felt that in Dominica, where we very much hope to revisit one day. And there are several island groups which still await our exploration for the next trip south, such as the Grenadines. Ahhh, the saying "so many islands....so little time" was never truer. Cheers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg5uffqh775kjnuuXcKBjBYSOzdcv6LiDijArqVHmFqG-rmu15VsrsYAMFwE5UpF69QqdIimbvF-gIC7332oz9jOuawtv2x40eZAJ5uV-CPJqi1X1vM-fFmAeowUwp1Jlgo7EviccE2h-nT82gBSKQpQXpr7Yyhvwwq-nBMOamnqyq0NyYxll4P08rA/s2049/IMG_0114.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg5uffqh775kjnuuXcKBjBYSOzdcv6LiDijArqVHmFqG-rmu15VsrsYAMFwE5UpF69QqdIimbvF-gIC7332oz9jOuawtv2x40eZAJ5uV-CPJqi1X1vM-fFmAeowUwp1Jlgo7EviccE2h-nT82gBSKQpQXpr7Yyhvwwq-nBMOamnqyq0NyYxll4P08rA/w640-h480/IMG_0114.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-59509114483455916652022-02-02T07:39:00.000+13:002022-02-02T07:39:01.442+13:00Cabo Verde - A Great Surprise!<p> We've been in Cabo Verde for almost two weeks now. Our short stay here in this small island country has been great, and has put us back into the cruising and exploring mode that we most enjoy about the sailing vagabond lifestyle. Before our arrival, we knew little about Cabo Verde, other than as a fueling stop for boats on their way from Europe to the Caribbean. </p><p>The reality is that the country has a rich history and culture, mixing the African heritage of the people whose ancestors were brought here by the slave trade in the 16th and 17th centuries, with the Portuguese culture of the people who brought them here and colonized the country as the first European outpost in the tropics. It has a pleasant laid back vibe, with friendly people and a growing tourism trade.</p><p>The volcanic islands are a mix of extremely arid, desert-like rugged topography on one side of the islands, mixed with lush, nearly rainforest environment on the other. We've been staying in the town of Mindelo on Isla San Vicente, and spent a few days exploring neighboring island Santo Antao as well. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ3g0onPCdhy9To8XSS8wDpWXToNDeDfn0E0lIr_Kam-5arsvTEPXJeO9gVBSgs-JQheeUwgzmK5B5kGiINN35trXkdaBKiyvbps1xJLxBSthiC7G0UC1iWRKZ6eYW9MUicdd8atq_IdqQuG-caYahl_YzVRgI84Rx0klrijZQgmZUEkCUWxPUIbItrw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ3g0onPCdhy9To8XSS8wDpWXToNDeDfn0E0lIr_Kam-5arsvTEPXJeO9gVBSgs-JQheeUwgzmK5B5kGiINN35trXkdaBKiyvbps1xJLxBSthiC7G0UC1iWRKZ6eYW9MUicdd8atq_IdqQuG-caYahl_YzVRgI84Rx0klrijZQgmZUEkCUWxPUIbItrw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>The marina here sees a wide variety of boats. Most are either cruising sailboats or deep sea sport fishing charter boats, mixed with the small open wooden fishing boats of the local fishermen.<p></p><p>The fish are sold on the beach when they reach shore, or in the local open fish market. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK3btFEZotnass3b2vUOKMIgUEPanrvN45u0P1Ze1ssYzhLzFbCOPliTXVOkcvPqOOCtc5D7IXdkSXPOJdE4DPVBG2eyuF6YevvDVBhHa4cFgx9RgxBpZfgrLuQCH-yax6RdA8zzhWPo5_to2klcnyLFVgWAhacvrknn208RN5pvDtllmQEoNGOe3-aQ=s3892" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="3892" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK3btFEZotnass3b2vUOKMIgUEPanrvN45u0P1Ze1ssYzhLzFbCOPliTXVOkcvPqOOCtc5D7IXdkSXPOJdE4DPVBG2eyuF6YevvDVBhHa4cFgx9RgxBpZfgrLuQCH-yax6RdA8zzhWPo5_to2klcnyLFVgWAhacvrknn208RN5pvDtllmQEoNGOe3-aQ=w400-h310" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish are salted to preserve them. The woman said treated this way they are good for 3 or 4 days without refrigeration<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>While most of the fleet are represented by the usual gamut of typical cruising boats, there have been some standouts.</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzEAi4b_2_0qGEidUkLqK3FOuAEtiKiL658CrcF6Ni_UqUGWwb_iKHnakK4iZwKgr9cvMD9A_njpRJLwrF5Ebhn16wZUfOGZ719zheNXgKieTHeDQ47mhWa9lH4Jxhrp4jJxrZAEaw1mqJDlvgMSFpgYvrFGuC6ij2Z7-6tGb35FOGQuTBwQvV9qtDXA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzEAi4b_2_0qGEidUkLqK3FOuAEtiKiL658CrcF6Ni_UqUGWwb_iKHnakK4iZwKgr9cvMD9A_njpRJLwrF5Ebhn16wZUfOGZ719zheNXgKieTHeDQ47mhWa9lH4Jxhrp4jJxrZAEaw1mqJDlvgMSFpgYvrFGuC6ij2Z7-6tGb35FOGQuTBwQvV9qtDXA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little SHAKA, with BRAVO behind.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>This one was our favorite....just 5 meters long, the boat was built by Jakub Dabrowski, the young Polish sailor here on the left. The other lad is his friend, and together they have sailed from Poland and are now bound for the Caribbean! Shaka has no motor, but apparently they have located a 3 hp outboard in Martinique at a good price, so that is their destination!!! What a terrific adventure!! No doubt the stories will get better with every telling!!!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3UZWLaSKjUzBKiUsfIlHaHAO4B4rU-1TL-TtTUrwXoQ7lheHI5z47ijgrNuof3gvRrIkpSzb50_tDWGdWMSoq5A9gBxexaKntpaML-vfpVtF6ROzMfdAFhefaEfmxEGp46mFT9ApJOhPs0qj7eSpl4I2ZCrECW-P90Rx1l0JyCCzaIj5JWpsQIjBNYA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3UZWLaSKjUzBKiUsfIlHaHAO4B4rU-1TL-TtTUrwXoQ7lheHI5z47ijgrNuof3gvRrIkpSzb50_tDWGdWMSoq5A9gBxexaKntpaML-vfpVtF6ROzMfdAFhefaEfmxEGp46mFT9ApJOhPs0qj7eSpl4I2ZCrECW-P90Rx1l0JyCCzaIj5JWpsQIjBNYA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jakub even designed and built the vane self steering gear himself!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh75HjHO2J3qkmb7wBsJ5wFk-35hrku5CYtyHTi6hMJJpiYVzAOvYyB4tJDImW5Lxj_FMAG9LQapnPZRefkqUoo05bvSdy8ROn4woSdvNsyYyq-X5EVZ4Qlx89uVBi1LJtkfo5qM0mciJacGG58sfYdr_waI4Mhmi49BMWEuaORRNgXk2NnpP64D-BTg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh75HjHO2J3qkmb7wBsJ5wFk-35hrku5CYtyHTi6hMJJpiYVzAOvYyB4tJDImW5Lxj_FMAG9LQapnPZRefkqUoo05bvSdy8ROn4woSdvNsyYyq-X5EVZ4Qlx89uVBi1LJtkfo5qM0mciJacGG58sfYdr_waI4Mhmi49BMWEuaORRNgXk2NnpP64D-BTg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>Together with the rest of the boats on the dock, we all honked horns and gave them an enthusiastic sendoff when they departed a week ago. <p></p><p> They have a gps tracker on board, and are making good progress, averaging 5-7 km/hour as they make their way across the pond. Jakub estimated that it would take them 3-4 weeks. If you want to follow their progress, you can view their tracker at</p><p>https://share.garmin.com/share/JakubDabrowski<br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In a rather different approach to ocean cruising, there are these two crazy Italian guys here on the dock...<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiosEnDE1AG6-rpt0jZpiXq3p23mjKm3KAyAm5Mu2AYWvEJhyrkxb4zKrDVL0POhqvE_KCUB-eoZ-8FHGNYXrb2uovPi8t0p9KYWuPYDxmkWop2SH01jo1UQsIoEuYbBNjijQJ9eu-5KUnLJYiCvsGcnDOrPsoOqcK-qOxqdRVdgKW7_k3KqLlMjPdfPw=s3737" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2870" data-original-width="3737" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiosEnDE1AG6-rpt0jZpiXq3p23mjKm3KAyAm5Mu2AYWvEJhyrkxb4zKrDVL0POhqvE_KCUB-eoZ-8FHGNYXrb2uovPi8t0p9KYWuPYDxmkWop2SH01jo1UQsIoEuYbBNjijQJ9eu-5KUnLJYiCvsGcnDOrPsoOqcK-qOxqdRVdgKW7_k3KqLlMjPdfPw=w400-h308" width="400" /></a></div>They have piloted this 38 foot inflatable RIB from Palermo Sicily to here, and are bound for Los Angeles!!! (The captain has previously made an Atlantic crossing in the boat to New York, but he has never been in the Pacific!!!) They estimate it will take them 6 days to cross from here to the Caribbean, and a couple of more months to reach LA! They clearly know what they're doing, but is this the right tool for the job? Nah, don't think so!<br /><p></p><p>I asked where they cook pasta, and they got really animated....."NO...NO...NO cooking!!! This thing is a bomb!!!" They eat only cold food aboard, and reluctantly said the pasta will have to wait until they reach shore! The funniest part is they have some kind of eco grant to study ocean pollution on the voyage!!! I don't know what the burn rate is of the 600 hp, but if ever there was a case of "green washing", this is it!!!</p><p> </p><p>We left Bravo safely tied up in the marina and headed over to neighboring Santo Antao by ferry for a few days of hiking and sight seeing. The island was a real delight, and the hiking amazing, on the trails that the local citizens use to walk to their terraced fields and neighboring villages. The land, all on the side of an enormous extinct volcano, is incredibly steep, but many generations of construction of the terraces, fed by springs near the top of the volcano, have allowed them to carve out a living, growing food for their families and to sell in the local markets. </p><p>We stayed in a guest house part way up the Paul valley, and spent a full day hiking there. In no particular order, here are a few shots to give an overview of this incredible, dramatic landscape...<br /><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCDcZEdE_SIN9RnE9-651voLa9tPJUi_Va_mNv248GtFwMEfiKwFTuOmbsYIKyoyNuHkkzCTU0wS5eKDpmFWcFRpVmX3DnGoJgFaJ4fP1FwWa5UlJ9pYhLT7uBthnCGWb1flzVobIZj7_12poAmGy8RcaZ4O0YRmF9xK4tB1mgKQPrmZCeZAlGQYsySA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCDcZEdE_SIN9RnE9-651voLa9tPJUi_Va_mNv248GtFwMEfiKwFTuOmbsYIKyoyNuHkkzCTU0wS5eKDpmFWcFRpVmX3DnGoJgFaJ4fP1FwWa5UlJ9pYhLT7uBthnCGWb1flzVobIZj7_12poAmGy8RcaZ4O0YRmF9xK4tB1mgKQPrmZCeZAlGQYsySA=w640-h480" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjms6TZ128RbQIBza2n_yWNfYhLkUcL8rkVWKKve2528ItIIEu6KTJMYJMfWNnK7a4DZHe7jEUjVBRjzRkJUp_Yp2ceYmAec7jjrHnIyISYlR4FCO29ZwJACh5s5KxJH6d9C1cj5Me0fVQalO9ATfZI6OyG4RDngfwm1MtkGLFOHThohcxNGBEzc0KJ6w=s5184" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjms6TZ128RbQIBza2n_yWNfYhLkUcL8rkVWKKve2528ItIIEu6KTJMYJMfWNnK7a4DZHe7jEUjVBRjzRkJUp_Yp2ceYmAec7jjrHnIyISYlR4FCO29ZwJACh5s5KxJH6d9C1cj5Me0fVQalO9ATfZI6OyG4RDngfwm1MtkGLFOHThohcxNGBEzc0KJ6w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4iosVHy2Xo0tTmvJ4ft5tVat54fbJ4PdiLzqa0hb9RZ-qfwFKZF1bAa8a2ysoiwiaJK_0gHQfDzwJcruICtuTEZYwt5rz_NlGlUQWRZV3kqfbnyAeyTFgSr9ayNOAbfskMq9TJg-sjMCFsHyXhb6luoX3vQCDJkHGBzYzXoBzhmBqUzQX1gbvh7tmcg=s5019" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3723" data-original-width="5019" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4iosVHy2Xo0tTmvJ4ft5tVat54fbJ4PdiLzqa0hb9RZ-qfwFKZF1bAa8a2ysoiwiaJK_0gHQfDzwJcruICtuTEZYwt5rz_NlGlUQWRZV3kqfbnyAeyTFgSr9ayNOAbfskMq9TJg-sjMCFsHyXhb6luoX3vQCDJkHGBzYzXoBzhmBqUzQX1gbvh7tmcg=w640-h474" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj06SRU7JrRvxHIcSheilQRtAmRCSBkGHMfNJLk5XnY66EXt4jKl8J2yfssqnNtvolnrccOIKI2fYS4IdqFty-qp6EtoRMznWS_vQfft8wn6oji1f5vvqE7bsDdhskZAu3a4lDEt5NYCY2C2pkK4NI_iRIIGsJtWVk0n0XpjEHepxDIaLW-d9JhVYOlaA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj06SRU7JrRvxHIcSheilQRtAmRCSBkGHMfNJLk5XnY66EXt4jKl8J2yfssqnNtvolnrccOIKI2fYS4IdqFty-qp6EtoRMznWS_vQfft8wn6oji1f5vvqE7bsDdhskZAu3a4lDEt5NYCY2C2pkK4NI_iRIIGsJtWVk0n0XpjEHepxDIaLW-d9JhVYOlaA=w640-h480" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-ZcEuHSmgjczeoUMSWWrL1qyh_5WqbtkzHxSGNzGiXuk7-gSvlRe8uK7nhB7PUJzfeQnoi8nau7ruWwVJT2uk5KBFk9KcaHVb0lEm-_deUPxtkgDSjHxD8cFpCZiiK7gqFFyZ_thkL9izHq_eFM_R4KC1N5txZaPNPiXFe79l-Lps-dkuoBqt_jR9Wg=s3984" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDRpBBd6UmpSP-99PF6s4poRh07nTj9D_MigP6kN92iXUfGCXS4ltR5vZA3K24JJdw8vn4Sl70PQmoffgkTQzUntPkxeVwyn6JWA-SDmVrGI_lN2RiNq05oxtQwMgx1Y24SouJDXcE-CnipJSc78X08iuR-WATGx7fpkeXzO-XoRBLfsqWJYjU601jSw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDRpBBd6UmpSP-99PF6s4poRh07nTj9D_MigP6kN92iXUfGCXS4ltR5vZA3K24JJdw8vn4Sl70PQmoffgkTQzUntPkxeVwyn6JWA-SDmVrGI_lN2RiNq05oxtQwMgx1Y24SouJDXcE-CnipJSc78X08iuR-WATGx7fpkeXzO-XoRBLfsqWJYjU601jSw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our guest house window.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjibOkjpB_tRr-Ka5B1QAs2BxElxIPKa9hDHo19QOl1A6UbkfYkF0SRwx5aO9X2K4QGN53ZJOv8XzfXyAyV0kcYVWOKtAhpB7o0oCjFB673wDenb-WHC3pxa8I2u_oVCOObv3sBoAG9ssj0VzNZzQ73Ab67O1cEzG_VOBE6qxYvH-WO0Zt6c1yJZ8pbyg=s3579" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3579" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjibOkjpB_tRr-Ka5B1QAs2BxElxIPKa9hDHo19QOl1A6UbkfYkF0SRwx5aO9X2K4QGN53ZJOv8XzfXyAyV0kcYVWOKtAhpB7o0oCjFB673wDenb-WHC3pxa8I2u_oVCOObv3sBoAG9ssj0VzNZzQ73Ab67O1cEzG_VOBE6qxYvH-WO0Zt6c1yJZ8pbyg=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpnoRsO9iQ8DQ2ye49_CT-4uxcgIxr-gruCNg9xwrfQ35SeiyEvulBkMJuhMWsNolajOYSEHI6YtoWJlNsU0nJqdnlVbsxJc1BuewvQ_7OYsEutD41pjfpGuKJOZ8txrL8BhqWDPa4Y-S20rbcDzXVdlrEdpd3sYELI0eUDmEeev-tnIVVgESeCjVROw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpnoRsO9iQ8DQ2ye49_CT-4uxcgIxr-gruCNg9xwrfQ35SeiyEvulBkMJuhMWsNolajOYSEHI6YtoWJlNsU0nJqdnlVbsxJc1BuewvQ_7OYsEutD41pjfpGuKJOZ8txrL8BhqWDPa4Y-S20rbcDzXVdlrEdpd3sYELI0eUDmEeev-tnIVVgESeCjVROw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>On our third day on the island, we hopped in the back of a pickup truck for a sometimes hairball drive across the center of the mountains, the original route across the island prior to the construction of the faster coast road. <br /><p></p><p>Really an incredible feat of engineering, the entire 36km is paved with cobble stones, as it winds it's way around the large caldera of a valley north of Paul. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZcvFh91LXgfehjhH0BnFtzWe5oCtiw0kl9a4MONZTmzso-8HukYC9Ud76GnN60M4l1H7WDRwx1hPymv8U7Bv4CnP6ufmggMLp3YK8H22UvEWPwras51c4nCOhorYNjTXslMiuNZsyTpJ-O8a4GTKYlvFMg6XJWlOiSO1RwUfmoyINuPEcz7cmcSvQjw=s3682" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2485" data-original-width="3682" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZcvFh91LXgfehjhH0BnFtzWe5oCtiw0kl9a4MONZTmzso-8HukYC9Ud76GnN60M4l1H7WDRwx1hPymv8U7Bv4CnP6ufmggMLp3YK8H22UvEWPwras51c4nCOhorYNjTXslMiuNZsyTpJ-O8a4GTKYlvFMg6XJWlOiSO1RwUfmoyINuPEcz7cmcSvQjw=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1D-a9RkjheXFJMVAkhlRFpa-VvT-oBOJ3rIPtltmnLu61f0JKMZZ9ovnHt--ExVYD0BtU6JN3AVkNAEsP-EauJ8Qy7Mv_1hix603e7wGb3t_v93_K-XodGiBS0bbJ1Op3PPJjv00aG_nTNj2Oy60EwsfsIUh8LO8QVF_edw0uQ-GpHxDicE_diPq-Yg=s2797" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2943" data-original-width="4393" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivGyiZi9g8Wy0Wk673sDbfW8l8j4GI3Rh3ZbWPE__5ofh3Hu_vbS0UkFOlveFL1PCvgblFqpR4fDcVBbi22v7uvaGUBsgOIZtjS2_7sy-aq4zYxWlEjREVuERVDY6RA013ivRim764FJQWpl2lPDTFXlMQj7IhY1QDvt_omD-Akt11p8g9gdcH8lXDoA=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVigXzNopj4AzNiY_t69Nw0WYoE6dJ9zvSUWJUy7exLVceJPrgpSuEMhP8cUZdQLPcP-Wt853w2mwcJ38mqNd92Kb27usJumiE-2qXWbbe8Srh7Wsg1YG25APaykLz4mBddJvMpLrMXJ0kzqz9HL98OQHig6oOhDLc12FqsJNeQRDtRlFPr1vIANx67A=s2976" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2416" data-original-width="2976" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVigXzNopj4AzNiY_t69Nw0WYoE6dJ9zvSUWJUy7exLVceJPrgpSuEMhP8cUZdQLPcP-Wt853w2mwcJ38mqNd92Kb27usJumiE-2qXWbbe8Srh7Wsg1YG25APaykLz4mBddJvMpLrMXJ0kzqz9HL98OQHig6oOhDLc12FqsJNeQRDtRlFPr1vIANx67A=w640-h520" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE2jpZkR3YOgDWt8Ws7VZQBtX0PBQb9NkB4wk_zq1EkZdPIsNKTvuPxD1Ukg4u0kbMDfrArgOIPj5SdW-1YQyelVwNQA5QVamj8BCiaiHBSeNDjd6yBGla4DdvKyF_DibEo6gXzMmkFk4Nw48cGk7WROiQR5vm3VQ9cHtRrKrHfyLUzEzWZdhWDxS-uw=s5184" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE2jpZkR3YOgDWt8Ws7VZQBtX0PBQb9NkB4wk_zq1EkZdPIsNKTvuPxD1Ukg4u0kbMDfrArgOIPj5SdW-1YQyelVwNQA5QVamj8BCiaiHBSeNDjd6yBGla4DdvKyF_DibEo6gXzMmkFk4Nw48cGk7WROiQR5vm3VQ9cHtRrKrHfyLUzEzWZdhWDxS-uw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJdgD2jngnm-8vDbwashCldsKTVpSJB5Jvl5c8t5v-3ffYZe9GbPihxdZ43i92kGTdj3Ma-GlrZQqtEhjZGXVh2QZ3lzM5tOZpMUx-nbN_yhskctlrKkZtKzZ-I-ppKlS2RW9Zp9bnRypCnM-EScBvra1-SQO6OC1wRpDqOqTfuElPb-pEiiIScUVcvA=s5184" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJdgD2jngnm-8vDbwashCldsKTVpSJB5Jvl5c8t5v-3ffYZe9GbPihxdZ43i92kGTdj3Ma-GlrZQqtEhjZGXVh2QZ3lzM5tOZpMUx-nbN_yhskctlrKkZtKzZ-I-ppKlS2RW9Zp9bnRypCnM-EScBvra1-SQO6OC1wRpDqOqTfuElPb-pEiiIScUVcvA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dry side of the island is in a drought, having had no rain for over two years.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4D87I9Nd63otEsfPgRbtu4K8mkyPgUB6OB0lINDm4obUTfI_MHB0vULYjoHsxlLSC7v49lTTtvv7MhDurT0lX79nmtdhDt2PKQUNr4DgtS_OqA39yVvakbJEDnqIHukCf7DfiHdAJ-5UL7S8wzMCrhPXr7VTlhk3_AtFOg7xJ1EAZ9dAcP5lacdgscw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4D87I9Nd63otEsfPgRbtu4K8mkyPgUB6OB0lINDm4obUTfI_MHB0vULYjoHsxlLSC7v49lTTtvv7MhDurT0lX79nmtdhDt2PKQUNr4DgtS_OqA39yVvakbJEDnqIHukCf7DfiHdAJ-5UL7S8wzMCrhPXr7VTlhk3_AtFOg7xJ1EAZ9dAcP5lacdgscw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>So that's a wrap on our stay in Cabo Verde. We took care of some boat minor boat projects, got our PCR covid tests yesterday (still waiting for results!), and are ready to depart tomorrow for Grenada in the Caribbean, after clearing out with customs and immigration in the morning. (assuming our Covid test is negative!!!) This passage should take around 14 days give or take, and if anyone wants to follow our tracker, the URL is:</p><p>https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SVBRAVO</p><p>As always, the caveat....do NOT worry if you don't see us, or our progress seems to stop. It's most likely just an issue with the satellite connection. We have several means of communication available on board in case of an actual emergency.</p><p><br /></p><p>See you on the flip side!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-1995837987262308212022-01-25T06:22:00.000+13:002022-01-25T06:22:16.570+13:00Passage from Canaries to Cabo Verde.....something for everyone!!!<p>Welcome back to the blog...as most of you know, we've been on the move quite a bit since the last time we posted, and one of these days, we'll hopefully catch up with a few "throwback" posts. In the meantime, we want to get the blog going again, so we'll just jump in with the present day action...stay tuned for "back dates" on a few recent adventures...<br /></p><p> </p><p>Leaving Arrecife on Lanzarote Island, we could feel the excitement building, as the departure marks the beginning of a new chapter for us. While we've had a great couple of years exploring Europe in times of Covid, it's been frustrating (as it has for everyone), with nearly 1 of the 2 years in Europe actually spent in lockdowns in both France and England. While we've now logged over 5,000 miles in new Bravo, we are leaving Europe with some unfinished business. Most frustratingly, Norway and Svalbard remained closed for both summers here, but we've had great experiences and met some truly wonderful people wherever we went, in France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Canaries, and now Cabo Verde. Not to mention fantastic trips to Iceland and Morocco. So this passage, our longest on new Bravo, had real significance for us.</p><p>With no time remaining on our Schengen visa, it was time for departure from the Canaries (even though it is several hundred miles from mainland Europe, it is considered part of Spain, and thus subject to the same damned Schengen clock). After a quick haul out in Arrecife to fix a leaking shaft seal, we were good to go. Unfortunately the weather was not keen to cooperate. Looking at an enormous wind hole extending for much of the passage route to Cabo Verde, we watched as our days ticked by on the Schengen meter, and after remaining for a few extra days past expiration....it was time to go, despite the lack of wind which was predicted on all 6 forecast models that we studied.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8IAxqu4uZy6tnMVeiDwEVe8LzmHNnX51ewhU7jGBE0ydxdFtmUGfbL4BuPflKIiwCTt221bfUifH5Nh0bw6yHnC-1yhsDa6zCchvl_Tq7CHJRiLw3EINtnIxMBFyM7UqNtBW53fqGarp26K2YsfiXN7O4faDWJvj6-80tAn6G9WUoiYHsD2KYAdUUcw=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8IAxqu4uZy6tnMVeiDwEVe8LzmHNnX51ewhU7jGBE0ydxdFtmUGfbL4BuPflKIiwCTt221bfUifH5Nh0bw6yHnC-1yhsDa6zCchvl_Tq7CHJRiLw3EINtnIxMBFyM7UqNtBW53fqGarp26K2YsfiXN7O4faDWJvj6-80tAn6G9WUoiYHsD2KYAdUUcw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p><br />The first day was light but decent sailing under our gennaker, which gave us a decent push in the dying breeze. But that evening it died altogether, and we fired up the engine for what we guessed could be a long spell of motoring in under 4 knots of wind.</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2w8XQe_9G2xRptF5qOVBddtNDJ8R_csWoqMdge_tl37MXTz8oKDtZjA25mx_W-7ZvbWUfmDNiprsbz8z5LYPMLPLz7nzivg9kcWL97WIHo3tEdfileG1X6fENh7YuyOfHpe7HDyq-q6MPY6QzNXV7Dn0G5Igsdqchm6qylQ7bn42ccaKfmElwMBeiKA=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2w8XQe_9G2xRptF5qOVBddtNDJ8R_csWoqMdge_tl37MXTz8oKDtZjA25mx_W-7ZvbWUfmDNiprsbz8z5LYPMLPLz7nzivg9kcWL97WIHo3tEdfileG1X6fENh7YuyOfHpe7HDyq-q6MPY6QzNXV7Dn0G5Igsdqchm6qylQ7bn42ccaKfmElwMBeiKA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />After a couple of hours, though, the wind increased to around 15 knots, from directly aft. Perfect conditions for setting the pole, and heading downwind wing and wing for the next several hours, making 7-8 knots right on the rhum line to Cabo Verde. We had lots of dolphins to escort us south...<br /><p></p><p> </p><p>By 3am, as the wind swung towards the east, we jibed and watched the wind steadily rise. We were only 50-70 miles off the west African coast, so there was no real swell to deal with. But as we quickly saw the steady (and completely unforcast) south easterly breeze on the port beam increase to 25, 30, 40 knots with higher gusts, we had a fairly sleepless night and early morning of 3-4 meter wind waves and very confused seas, of wind against swell. We were continually adding a reef, until we were down to a 3rd reef and staysail. While the boat was doing fine, our real concern was how high it might go? 60? 70 knots? Since the forecast models were all showing around 18 knots out of the NE we really had no clue what the max winds might be. There was not much swell, as the winds were coming from Africa, just 50 miles to the east. Even the confused wind waves grew to a lumpy 3 meters or so, as they met the smaller swell coming from the west. But finally, after a few sustained 50 knot gusts, the wind began to subside, and back to the ENE. It steadily decreased into the 30's and 20's. The reefs were shaken out one by one, and we enjoyed some terrific sailing again. Life was good!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVZNnfmbndba41-k0Iwuaasks1VczanurcADQfoM_wa8U5IgXAkcM2h9SmDR1hvYT9FH40GT88aHe6Q6vHiKjtizLIbcRmyvVxuAO9fwV0Esf45fYlc0VVB5FeovyRaeg39tmWB0f8ljYWCCu8M9LCTPdLH6eieBjJ4SMrOhe6O_zEextrel7Sl5rytA=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVZNnfmbndba41-k0Iwuaasks1VczanurcADQfoM_wa8U5IgXAkcM2h9SmDR1hvYT9FH40GT88aHe6Q6vHiKjtizLIbcRmyvVxuAO9fwV0Esf45fYlc0VVB5FeovyRaeg39tmWB0f8ljYWCCu8M9LCTPdLH6eieBjJ4SMrOhe6O_zEextrel7Sl5rytA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sky during all of this wind had an eerie, red glow, from daylight on. At first, we had no idea why. We'd never seen a sky like this!!! The sun, even at mid day, was nearly blotted out, and we realized that the winds had been from a sand storm across the Sahara desert 50 miles away. </div><p> <img alt="" src="https://webmail6.networksolutionsemail.com/appsuite/api/image/mail/picture?folder=default0%2FINBOX&id=7056804590733230671&uid=IMG_6388.jpg&scaleType=contain&width=1024" /></p><p><img alt="" src="https://webmail6.networksolutionsemail.com/appsuite/api/image/mail/picture?folder=default0%2FINBOX&id=7056799054520398660&uid=IMG_6388.jpg&scaleType=contain&width=1024" /><img alt="" src="https://webmail6.networksolutionsemail.com/appsuite/api/image/mail/picture?folder=default0%2FINBOX&id=7056799054520398660&uid=IMG_6388.jpg&scaleType=contain&width=1024" /><img alt="" src="https://webmail6.networksolutionsemail.com/appsuite/api/image/mail/picture?folder=default0%2FINBOX&id=7056804590733230671&uid=IMG_6388.jpg&scaleType=contain&width=1024" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixbWJj9C0QU8zLlu8ky9tP_mY33m3J-NDZasAhKboI33oQRotZsQvHAEIsHfOHFc9X-P2wQJWIXPWOyq9mW32hpafBet9Via7rJ6w4EKFjGFOfXayFlEe8VPAdGS3nVnt1g3suecqNJfKWcMaNYNYv35i0p7MLkaqVdHedUtPROsNnXvtNYiiPWidzWQ=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixbWJj9C0QU8zLlu8ky9tP_mY33m3J-NDZasAhKboI33oQRotZsQvHAEIsHfOHFc9X-P2wQJWIXPWOyq9mW32hpafBet9Via7rJ6w4EKFjGFOfXayFlEe8VPAdGS3nVnt1g3suecqNJfKWcMaNYNYv35i0p7MLkaqVdHedUtPROsNnXvtNYiiPWidzWQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>The real bummer was the amount of dust that was deposited on the boat, especially on the windward side! Every line, shroud, sail, and bit of equipment was coated with red dust and grit. It would take a lot to get it clean, and I'm sure we'll be seeing mud puddles around the base of all shrouds for months or years to come whenever it rains!<p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9q2-FWN8udld9ucUtKgueDLoWSRqfbAGz6OAFDysYjfjtTWA0kLjPDcg8Rcbbi4OOmxq2haGMBpd9pd2v8xCvE50GpOCCjtZXTPr8yW4ccpCybSLHtZIH-KJ8M1oV45TCjba8dER45SYKbBJ4W6jjqE59Pv6hkta1tawDC5JIIa1OhPqDYf_qdPZ22w=s2000"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9q2-FWN8udld9ucUtKgueDLoWSRqfbAGz6OAFDysYjfjtTWA0kLjPDcg8Rcbbi4OOmxq2haGMBpd9pd2v8xCvE50GpOCCjtZXTPr8yW4ccpCybSLHtZIH-KJ8M1oV45TCjba8dER45SYKbBJ4W6jjqE59Pv6hkta1tawDC5JIIa1OhPqDYf_qdPZ22w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_OL8qd06FzLG-ZI8U9LyA1B14Vpj7Vkp2w3QLK3ALt7eTlUoEGcn778jW9tgYBRrnrv5FB9M66BI2TN_oLW5Pjl9RULjLlbQ6VrkwUTC1OGwxNCUUTW19_qgSPch22bYHuNku7fnl1CjDmTtIisV7gUdSLC6eM8BkwJZR7IfLUyrP7vGqyHSDsJ_pNQ=s2049" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1537" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_OL8qd06FzLG-ZI8U9LyA1B14Vpj7Vkp2w3QLK3ALt7eTlUoEGcn778jW9tgYBRrnrv5FB9M66BI2TN_oLW5Pjl9RULjLlbQ6VrkwUTC1OGwxNCUUTW19_qgSPch22bYHuNku7fnl1CjDmTtIisV7gUdSLC6eM8BkwJZR7IfLUyrP7vGqyHSDsJ_pNQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonrise in the haze<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The wind continued to lighten to around 5 knots, and we were motor sailing again, as we entered the hole which we'd be in for the next couple of days. Warm sun and blue skies, it wasn't all bad. We read a lot, and caught up on sleep which had been missed during the sand storm. We fished continuously, but without any luck. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p>We had some dirty fuel problems on this passage, very likely from some diesel we took on in Arrecife. It was very fine, so got past the 10 micron Racor primary filter, and clogged the secondary Volvo filter. So we did a couple of filter changes to get it sorted out. We'll look at fuel polishing to hopefully clean the tanks in Cape Verde.</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="color: red;"><GEEK ALERT!!!> </span> <br /></b></p><p>Another issue that we faced during our passage was perhaps really a non-issue, but due to a combination of unrelated circumstances, felt significant at the time. Like most sailors these days, we have an AIS, an electronic gizmo call which shows us all ships around us, and broadcasts our location, speed and course. Really helps to reduce stress of crossing situations. <b> <br /></b></p><p>AIS signals are broadcast on nearly the same frequency as marine VHF radio. Ordinarily reception of these signals is limited to line-of-sight. Depending on the height of the antenna at each end, the signals are cut off by the curvature of the earth. So typically we see ships out to just 40 or 50 miles away. During the early part of this passage, we noticed reception of ships up to 600 miles distant, extending far down the African coast. Due to a phenomena known as tropospheric ducting, which typically occurs during extended periods of still, high pressure areas, VHF signals can be bent off of the layer of the atmosphere known as the troposphere. Our navigation screens were lit up by 100 or more ships at any one time, looking more like the English Channel than a remote part of the African Atlantic. </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyFyMjV8av88d0JNYmaj7r-nPvaG8gF5l_FHd_OrVUJId6rX2pZ55LZQs7toB-buMcAlhqxqoaYI788DzUfMyXP0OvjZhpY8Hpaa5FoyOVLvZBzgSVZkmprIGyC7U_YIQa71F7F-xa67KGJfHCvGIiYccqdKJM_YUVoEP_dEYF8BxUY5SKaSTgNko4yA=s2918" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2827" data-original-width="2918" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyFyMjV8av88d0JNYmaj7r-nPvaG8gF5l_FHd_OrVUJId6rX2pZ55LZQs7toB-buMcAlhqxqoaYI788DzUfMyXP0OvjZhpY8Hpaa5FoyOVLvZBzgSVZkmprIGyC7U_YIQa71F7F-xa67KGJfHCvGIiYccqdKJM_YUVoEP_dEYF8BxUY5SKaSTgNko4yA=w400-h388" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ships showing out to over 600 miles!!!</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">However, this ducting does not last forever, as we were soon to discover! We had been motor sailing for many hours near two other boats also heading toward Cabo Verde. All of a sudden, while on watch, Adam saw most of the distant ships start to disappear from the screen over a period of just a couple of minutes. And then the sail boats, one around 5 miles away, and one 10, disappeared within an hour of each other. It looked like we had a problem with our AIS reception. We called one of the two boats, who said he could not see us either. So we figured that not only were we not seeing boats, but we were no longer transmitting....clearly we had a problem with our AIS system. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The built in diagnostics of the AIS equipment all checked out fine. I got out a long cable, and tried a second antenna, the one on the arch vs the one at the mast head. The VSWR on both antennas looked fine, and the AIS said that it was transmitting without difficulty! We were completely stumped. </p><p>We were sorry to lose our AIS, but not too worried as we headed into our last night of the passage, since we've navigated for years with radar. But just as we were discussing this, we got an error message on our radar screen "Power OFF", even though the power was on, and the radar had been functioning normally up to that moment. A few minutes later, this message changed to "NO RADAR", and when scanning for connected devices, no radar was seen. Not good..... We'd now have a night approaching the Mindelo harbor with no AIS or radar. Certainly possible, using ships lights to determine their direction and our crossing paths. But certainly more stressful.</p><p>As we were perhaps 100 miles from Cabo Verde, all of a sudden we began to see AIS targets appear, and then, without warning, the radar went to "Stand by" mode, indicating that was working fine. Yay! It turned into a normal night watch as we closed with the islands.</p><p> </p><p>So now the question becomes, what went wrong with the electronics? </p><p>First the AIS: We could understand why the distant ships had disappeared as atmospheric conditions changed, but what about the two nearby sailboats? Why had they disappeared, and why had the one that we called told us that he could not see us either? Well.....after we arrived here in Cabo Verde, we met up with the two skippers. One told us that he now knows that he has an AIS problem on his boat, and was hard at work cleaning connections. He was not able to receive even large ships, so that explained him. And the other guy said that he is always turning his AIS on and off, to save batteries when he doesn't see any targets of concern, so he must have turned it off at around the same time that we lost the first boat, and the distant ships disappeared! A series of coincidences that had us tearing the boat apart to jury rig our second VHF antenna, and several hours of frustration!!! Ah well.....boats!!!<br /></p><p>Now the radar: We've gone through the system carefully looking for loose connections or cuts in the cables. Nothing so far. The radar continues to function normally, but there is clearly an intermittant problem, the hardest to trouble shoot.....stay tuned! We really would like to get confidence that we've found the fault before heading to the Caribbean in a week or two.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>All in all, Bravo did very well on this, her longest passage to date. She did fine in the gusty sandstorm, so gave us a good boost in confidence in her capabilities. Our fuel burn rate was good, averaging around 4.5 liters/hour, at around 1900 rpm, which gives us a speed of 6.5-7 knots, which was a bit better than we've estimated in the past. All good. Nothing broke, and except for the intermittant radar problem, we have few repairs to get ready for the next passage west. </p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG96X94ebRU2va6CArNAORo-o07-NXoS6gqGqhZKC9GO1cd9hLFFiA3IywoH6KwEM-OdnStNENowV3ocFaRLcdN-xczbBqdT9GyKeac9kQC0DtsYhpzOCF2k8DEovHKlHOWZkPHnPFT-aKT-T7Ntphwmprh-QecvpqMpV0CeEGfry2lbCS2Sk2OZYzqQ=s2049" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2049" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG96X94ebRU2va6CArNAORo-o07-NXoS6gqGqhZKC9GO1cd9hLFFiA3IywoH6KwEM-OdnStNENowV3ocFaRLcdN-xczbBqdT9GyKeac9kQC0DtsYhpzOCF2k8DEovHKlHOWZkPHnPFT-aKT-T7Ntphwmprh-QecvpqMpV0CeEGfry2lbCS2Sk2OZYzqQ=w400-h313" width="400" /></a></div>In spite of the amount of motoring, it was a surprisingly varied passage, with more sail changes and reefs in and reefs out per day than normal for passage making. Cindi especially got a good workout at the mast, and many an off watch sleep was interupted for both of us! <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP2GcAKNWLJHXbmkceNH-HVkIgpF134-fXQn2QH7dmLATSQ1qU-GzahAUHCY1HqGoIfvdFzQz-Txv0wzzNw2_ZNaWuPOHwOergG9cGkOm9eYXJ9580nrqPRzX5vAiPNtmKP_H8RQqjFoyw03caQtBKl0wkAFsrVuj0L9qN7RIoSzw_j3Qqcwy3g7DrdQ=s2270" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2270" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP2GcAKNWLJHXbmkceNH-HVkIgpF134-fXQn2QH7dmLATSQ1qU-GzahAUHCY1HqGoIfvdFzQz-Txv0wzzNw2_ZNaWuPOHwOergG9cGkOm9eYXJ9580nrqPRzX5vAiPNtmKP_H8RQqjFoyw03caQtBKl0wkAFsrVuj0L9qN7RIoSzw_j3Qqcwy3g7DrdQ=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LAND HO!!! Arrival is always a great feeling!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD4gRaNvmTqFAZA8LUuTDfIcpC9NSrhopbskgppPALUsjlV1E8cx_ntmZ-G8_oQQ6sEAlthhLpEYYXp6uVmrpMOrtqaith1aNV3LvY9JZ1YWvA-NTmbixHZYR_1Cj-KwLsbV9CLiPxppaesiLXIbh5y2yH01bOM1pRVUUwG5Tqo8E9hVxYHI3odirBAQ=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD4gRaNvmTqFAZA8LUuTDfIcpC9NSrhopbskgppPALUsjlV1E8cx_ntmZ-G8_oQQ6sEAlthhLpEYYXp6uVmrpMOrtqaith1aNV3LvY9JZ1YWvA-NTmbixHZYR_1Cj-KwLsbV9CLiPxppaesiLXIbh5y2yH01bOM1pRVUUwG5Tqo8E9hVxYHI3odirBAQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The all important passage beer.......cheers!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>We'll now do a bit of exploring of this island, Sao Vicente, and our neighbor to the north, Santo Antao. There is supposed to be some great hiking over there, but no really good anchorages, so we've booked a couple of nights in a guest house, and will take the ferry tomorrow.....stay tuned! In a week or two we'll head off to the Caribbean.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizt1ZRUpA1NolTNqaGwcbQkg4R3O46L51H4QEwDYtzsgJz5edGRZvlLEWm7umsd2YX_fcS30CkbQU0eKP9evQ8KyFYoWzfglMq5SPCSXAIxvEcpDAJ2skFiyqiizvBMNQ9gjtxuEe4svKnitGMSFdYYbKn8-9IMl8txn8j5IsYYxMdPXeEjDMYijfchA=s2049" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizt1ZRUpA1NolTNqaGwcbQkg4R3O46L51H4QEwDYtzsgJz5edGRZvlLEWm7umsd2YX_fcS30CkbQU0eKP9evQ8KyFYoWzfglMq5SPCSXAIxvEcpDAJ2skFiyqiizvBMNQ9gjtxuEe4svKnitGMSFdYYbKn8-9IMl8txn8j5IsYYxMdPXeEjDMYijfchA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-4448078739277898612021-07-31T01:31:00.000+12:002021-07-31T01:31:55.075+12:00On the Road Again! - 3 Weeks in Iceland<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div>It was the end of June. Our 6 month visa time in the UK had come to an end, and Covid had severely restricted our travel options. Hurricane season was just beginning in the Atlantic, so of course it was the wrong time to leave Europe for good. In addition, we still needed to return to France at the end of summer for Boreal to do some work on Bravo. Calls to the UK's Border Force confirmed that there was no definite process to extend our time in the UK until then. Our only option was to leave, and then return to the UK to wait for the time to head to France. (We could not arrive in France too early, as it is a Schengen country. UK is non-Schengen, and we needed to conserve our 90 days of Schengen time for the autumn, when we will be heading south to the Canary Islands (Schengen).</div><div><br /></div><div>So.....where to go? And how to get there? The UK has a rating system in place for all countries of the world. People entering from "Green light" countries can enter the UK without quarantine. Iceland was the only European "Green Light" country. So Iceland, which we'd always wanted to visit anyway, became the destination. As far as how to go? While we could sail from Scotland, it is about a 1 week voyage, typically requiring a wait for a good weather window. And since it would require a return trip, it would be the same on the other side. Add to this the fact that there was no guarantee that we'd be allowed back into the UK on arrival, due to the fact that we'd just spent our previous 6 month visa time there, we decided that it made more sense to leave the boat safe and secure in a marina in Scotland and fly to Iceland. Still risky that we'd be denied re-entry to the UK (it is up to the discretion of the immigration officer!!!). Scary!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, nearing the end of June, off we went. Even though we are fully Pfizer vaccinated, travel was still a real hassle. We required a PCR test 2 days before flying out of Heathrow, so had to find a lab in Glasgow. Then another at the airport on arrival in Reykjavik. And similarly 2 tests for the return. </div><div><br /></div><div>But was it ever worth it!!! Arriving in Iceland was like a step back to pre-pandemic times.....no masks were required anywhere! With every arriving visitor getting tested, there simply is no evidence of Covid in the country. So everyone is free to travel without masks or social distancing requirements. Just like the old days! </div><div><br /></div><div>And Iceland was beautiful! Amazing hiking and photography opportunities at every turn. We hired a 4 wheel drive truck w/ camper, so we were free to travel anywhere, without needing hotel reservations. The only way we know how to travel... (camping is restricted to campgrounds, but no reservations were required at any). Unfortunately the interior 4 wheel drive roads were mostly still closed due to a late snow year, but we had plenty to see around the perimeter.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here's a photo story of our trip around the country. Basically driving a loop in a counter-clockwise direction starting in Reykjavik, we took any opportunity to deviate from the normal route and explore the less traveled peninsulas and fjords along Iceland's coast.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img height="337" src="https://www.google.com/maps/vt/data=13pNQG0Cy3KMEqR2EU7NQUx3-R4_MjorYUZqxbLfe2oCJwaMXUYddB65kUBkoRZACXDFWebMyTa8P4Xwo5SJN3OGMzQj11BOnrt0MPz2CVvzxexyOIu6B8ENc79zNLMUBH299jHPG3PeASRUsxWLS_dpeIwbgPHj2HZ4RmG5BELcw_5Chzz5E9U2BQo8PrkUXCB8Ew-Zpq-RxQv1ixrnMzzkgoEiiqQh-G-ceaoDat9clivB3Kzz0U00K7quiQ" style="-webkit-user-select: none; display: block; margin: auto;" width="648" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Volcano</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Within an hour's drive from Reykjavik, the Geldingadalsgos volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula has been erupting since March of this year. Visitors from around the world have been making the pilgrimage to the site to watch the bubbling and at times, exploding cauldron of molten lava spew out into the landscape. Trails are opened and closed without warning as the lava flows dictate safe areas for observing. On the day that we went, "trail C" was the hike of the day. The view was perhaps not as up close and personal as the explosive eruptions of the volcano on Tanna Island in Vanuatu, but extremely impressive nonetheless...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUriAEztVYzmkmKDzOe1tbF6F5y4P1Ugy8437teysE2GhFOPbPQ_YRY_X2WgrZA3n1OtB-O7oLRQBGJr761-7kjgVJLKe9mij7CE_JtPj_bkHN72FTe1AU4Fr7ubuPTsNkqewv3_TMuNU/s2048/P6202953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUriAEztVYzmkmKDzOe1tbF6F5y4P1Ugy8437teysE2GhFOPbPQ_YRY_X2WgrZA3n1OtB-O7oLRQBGJr761-7kjgVJLKe9mij7CE_JtPj_bkHN72FTe1AU4Fr7ubuPTsNkqewv3_TMuNU/w640-h480/P6202953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Endless stream of visitors approaching the bottom of the lava flow, before starting up the ridge on the right.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCzVPtEF1PFCbofepr5WWymXpjbIzmsTWxeQamJmR7-LS2aPyVXQQpl9S09qQH6Pio20w05vDb6JBGl_JqDnF6HL5K904Q6TUt5OTSUs84HFTy8OecEXDNc0TYM99LpQ_4eVo-6F0TVWy/s2048/P6203116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCzVPtEF1PFCbofepr5WWymXpjbIzmsTWxeQamJmR7-LS2aPyVXQQpl9S09qQH6Pio20w05vDb6JBGl_JqDnF6HL5K904Q6TUt5OTSUs84HFTy8OecEXDNc0TYM99LpQ_4eVo-6F0TVWy/w640-h480/P6203116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD5Jfj75aglEJzdqc3EkqWqT6XH3-9QIeKdLtz3wHgcS9BiE0CrGzuB6guMwr7vbgdsXCclh1sxj8z1IO19oGG5P78FJ1gafXi3c_LDcUt2zUGJgybDbPhdnuC7iIxeZvFIepRnGL_Y8t/s2048/P6202960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD5Jfj75aglEJzdqc3EkqWqT6XH3-9QIeKdLtz3wHgcS9BiE0CrGzuB6guMwr7vbgdsXCclh1sxj8z1IO19oGG5P78FJ1gafXi3c_LDcUt2zUGJgybDbPhdnuC7iIxeZvFIepRnGL_Y8t/w640-h480/P6202960.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB07t5LWvdMHSdnqY-664WmE5Y3NeTGeulIvRtDftvua5bwVrn3dlzD9f-BMMCS1x_MReF-qy0FNCQK__d7ZcfOKzn2YwSQmfnur1l7WPJ61KzZjHv-n0UwsYy72JaDW13vc-jl1mUEw4r/s2048/P6202961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB07t5LWvdMHSdnqY-664WmE5Y3NeTGeulIvRtDftvua5bwVrn3dlzD9f-BMMCS1x_MReF-qy0FNCQK__d7ZcfOKzn2YwSQmfnur1l7WPJ61KzZjHv-n0UwsYy72JaDW13vc-jl1mUEw4r/w640-h480/P6202961.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJmExtZsC8KpZ6nLwt5zccY7xM8zafpu_o0qOYgzwc0GlylY9gw7JRh3o7QRPSCWmtUE9auxtPCSnZCSj1JKtDM5aEtcZ5l_2YZM94EtRbpMZufDTzoMR3yCeiwmwyhmtb9qJUnauo46P/s2048/P6202979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJmExtZsC8KpZ6nLwt5zccY7xM8zafpu_o0qOYgzwc0GlylY9gw7JRh3o7QRPSCWmtUE9auxtPCSnZCSj1JKtDM5aEtcZ5l_2YZM94EtRbpMZufDTzoMR3yCeiwmwyhmtb9qJUnauo46P/w640-h480/P6202979.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FN6jzCM0j2c2lIZcjxpVwLWL4NZlW-7l8zBn5ITvHqbu79VUOLvWPdUfnJ8vHYhvuNDZN0EyU5XP6PgFAiZjrYfJacjBL6SFsq0hspkpsI01l3BA1XdHOAdERPrGju-exUXkE974lYE7/s2048/P6203076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FN6jzCM0j2c2lIZcjxpVwLWL4NZlW-7l8zBn5ITvHqbu79VUOLvWPdUfnJ8vHYhvuNDZN0EyU5XP6PgFAiZjrYfJacjBL6SFsq0hspkpsI01l3BA1XdHOAdERPrGju-exUXkE974lYE7/w640-h480/P6203076.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGs9fxAcpZi2j1yrIPQ8Cym3cpBEVyMbDspe49Svxy6Ns8oKi47HotiaMntprvkKNIVDrlwBbkCiMpEWSeoohSw5UqXLLJ_-i0-0deSfH75nuEN5Ti7t453cJ3z6NazM16-uK8Frw5ywI/s3623/P6203092-Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="3623" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGs9fxAcpZi2j1yrIPQ8Cym3cpBEVyMbDspe49Svxy6Ns8oKi47HotiaMntprvkKNIVDrlwBbkCiMpEWSeoohSw5UqXLLJ_-i0-0deSfH75nuEN5Ti7t453cJ3z6NazM16-uK8Frw5ywI/w640-h154/P6203092-Pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7nvW4ernyLAWIwJnWITJrkMrHIO4JYurzEakazLit9ebm1SK3ETdTSBfsLgsOzNN9a0Z6q0j1vxH2MSY5bA_DjNo3ZCjAbgaPMifivlMeD9nHwTpUp-Jk4o1HjwBxmm3vT4pcZnvBKPb/s2048/P6203120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hopefully this guy took out ALL the insurance for his rental car!" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7nvW4ernyLAWIwJnWITJrkMrHIO4JYurzEakazLit9ebm1SK3ETdTSBfsLgsOzNN9a0Z6q0j1vxH2MSY5bA_DjNo3ZCjAbgaPMifivlMeD9nHwTpUp-Jk4o1HjwBxmm3vT4pcZnvBKPb/w640-h480/P6203120.jpg" title="Hopefully this guy took out ALL the insurance for his rental car!" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully this guy took out the maximum insurance on his rental car!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>After the volcano hike we were off!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A quick note about photography in Iceland.....</div><div>As we all know, photography, especially landscape photography, is all about capturing light. And the light in the early morning and late evening is usually the best. One issue we found with the timing of our trip to near the arctic circle in June/July, is that due to the long days (sunset after midnight, sunrise just 2-3 hours later!!!), it was difficult to get optimum lighting for the landscapes. But like everything else, the long days are a tradeoff, as it sure beats the winters of near total darkness, albeit with northern light opportunities.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another note about shooting in Iceland....bring LOTS of SD cards! The opportunities are everywhere, and we came home with a couple of thousand shots to wade through. Editing will be a long term project! So apologies for how many images have been included in this post....it's just that kind of place!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS81tSY78l5WutjPbummkiyjc8kpPoTVvJyYzejwTaXdRMGTUx1G7EWG3ulYXnUE5dEj4ZLG4Ys6ix2168ztoASpgSbih8BUaS8_v7MIR-5Jgk-tm1NH_zGMSTtb25fQmHpzMcWo1KNZX3/s2048/P7071030-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS81tSY78l5WutjPbummkiyjc8kpPoTVvJyYzejwTaXdRMGTUx1G7EWG3ulYXnUE5dEj4ZLG4Ys6ix2168ztoASpgSbih8BUaS8_v7MIR-5Jgk-tm1NH_zGMSTtb25fQmHpzMcWo1KNZX3/w305-h400/P7071030-Edit.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>Iceland is famous for it's waterfalls. With the falls fed by both underground aquifers and runoff from the enormous glacial icecap, they seem to be around every corner. Here then, in no particular order, is a smattering of the ones we came across. Some were planned, and are known tourist visit sites. Others are not even identified, and we just stumbled across.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNySkx7A6kLw_aZ5F96QwcqzCzjMC5DhWizo8cUs03UgNSnKZZYhrvNQxpSSLS12N2I9BnIHj_QQ6flSpjIqp1Pmrz5OmBzVChEsz6uwfjj6l71pXWR2GwMHjN2ToIydOReqDX8wguYrpS/s2048/P6230115-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNySkx7A6kLw_aZ5F96QwcqzCzjMC5DhWizo8cUs03UgNSnKZZYhrvNQxpSSLS12N2I9BnIHj_QQ6flSpjIqp1Pmrz5OmBzVChEsz6uwfjj6l71pXWR2GwMHjN2ToIydOReqDX8wguYrpS/w640-h480/P6230115-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKeljrYtfVLwYK4Xb74B6JdYFl6iaooySbaz8ENLzvr3W5Bd07zLX9eNhIKyCp0oCSL3uQJzkRabv_oK-xGn6XFAI2-nng0EjyJwYKVOzO4P9sGgpmufDJmxiIoNE5e97sMa3Q3vpCc-N/s2048/P7071040-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKeljrYtfVLwYK4Xb74B6JdYFl6iaooySbaz8ENLzvr3W5Bd07zLX9eNhIKyCp0oCSL3uQJzkRabv_oK-xGn6XFAI2-nng0EjyJwYKVOzO4P9sGgpmufDJmxiIoNE5e97sMa3Q3vpCc-N/w480-h640/P7071040-Edit.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Bird life in Iceland is incredible!!! </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Over 330 different species have been seen in the country, and 85 use Iceland as a nesting ground and rookery. We saw kittiwakes, arctic terns, fulmars, shags, gannets, skuas and various other gulls, phalaropes, sandpipers, oyster catchers, plovers, snipes, whimbrels, godwits, whooper swans, mallards, eider ducks, scoters, scaups, tufted ducks, teals, and many others. Often they were so unafraid that you could practically walk right up to them! For others, binoculars and long camera lenses were essential.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yBc9Xvk3khzRW8DkpCJ_-8jhNOzBlCC2cv1sfHRnkZxty13jtokRRsR024oT1SZ4qc2bQIyeOWnv5z73ybgl9lpuXaz5UCUnF0AXYaaNl5ofICiOuxKc2OVr489PZHF1KtEbLOeYxLlC/s2048/P6280047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yBc9Xvk3khzRW8DkpCJ_-8jhNOzBlCC2cv1sfHRnkZxty13jtokRRsR024oT1SZ4qc2bQIyeOWnv5z73ybgl9lpuXaz5UCUnF0AXYaaNl5ofICiOuxKc2OVr489PZHF1KtEbLOeYxLlC/w640-h430/P6280047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="2048" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3a5SdrxfR2HRhgIGeQkmTajRy_TBpWDzKCk-a0DwfKhTtvyFkY8F5BZgGrMy46HfXc9E5nGgHlyurpzL4ib_lD86NGXRm8d1-KPjJXP5CjU10PhRY6SkZVmwoXFrerR5LIkbfftaj1QOK/w640-h462/P7050928.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6IFr8CLtAovsx2ZAyWABs19KHd3xq8oo6zoDmwA5zedT772R_U6zwDL6SihN22awhwQoDn8VH83dFJJYk_6sFV7Fcark12S5fmaPizHolNUg6kU6FRnWUQzBnxLA1atzsNlR2pKOTwPT/s2048/IMG_4304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6IFr8CLtAovsx2ZAyWABs19KHd3xq8oo6zoDmwA5zedT772R_U6zwDL6SihN22awhwQoDn8VH83dFJJYk_6sFV7Fcark12S5fmaPizHolNUg6kU6FRnWUQzBnxLA1atzsNlR2pKOTwPT/w400-h300/IMG_4304.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And of course there are puffins! Hundreds of thousands nest here, returning to their same burrows year after year. There are many places around the country to find them. One of our favorites was near the little town of Borgarfjordur Eystri. The cliffs were easily accessible, and they've erected a small shack for photographers to use, with each seat in front of a little window to aim lenses through. There's even a heater and electricity for charging camera batteries! We spent hours here, and killed lots of pixels!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvIFJLAVpxmZ4axzG0UlAmRSwAqznUk-n8ltCGh5PDUJytmcOQx04YI7q0vwwo3Z74s4lrYE1QNT8F3ML9lNF1R4v3Ph7mLStASXuFywvdfkCPBoN4yPg0oI9PvRSKWxf6n9vRrWYtYw2/s3613/fullsizeinput_b9b.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2710" data-original-width="3613" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvIFJLAVpxmZ4axzG0UlAmRSwAqznUk-n8ltCGh5PDUJytmcOQx04YI7q0vwwo3Z74s4lrYE1QNT8F3ML9lNF1R4v3Ph7mLStASXuFywvdfkCPBoN4yPg0oI9PvRSKWxf6n9vRrWYtYw2/w640-h480/fullsizeinput_b9b.heic" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of these puffin shots were taken on the top of the hill behind the small fishing harbor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlIx8hELYiWrVQLFLc0mHnr3DaiUTomBRgNNKFCnPjHqyYIGifcR6Pco0DkS6VzTbTxbziBEyJfB7OIZ5e7HnRN19_aB7AunpPmXhHm3vpKj9IHw0cR4YO3yGPdtKZgI1MnzPwZkmy20k/s2048/P6290261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="2048" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlIx8hELYiWrVQLFLc0mHnr3DaiUTomBRgNNKFCnPjHqyYIGifcR6Pco0DkS6VzTbTxbziBEyJfB7OIZ5e7HnRN19_aB7AunpPmXhHm3vpKj9IHw0cR4YO3yGPdtKZgI1MnzPwZkmy20k/w640-h354/P6290261.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWGh_zBWHd9D7eTgVZZjPASnxNPHGwFOn4tNdxLPee5yAvWWq_MqnxTdncGbrKg5_JZ00YIOXZ1VY_vYrG8L7HrsC4B6LipzStmg_PtN3sMGAfO3TBFDlX_KTHi7-7HuFkz8VeoO-6F_b/s2048/P6290416+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhLFIMFjbJ3aM1F5JtySWb9J3VQsro8Vj16NQ-Ef1k00mFdzqlbUOyL4TW2BhH2n_1i-BdPQFZKgE2UWuAPg3HfD-3QkXioFn01x7moXlKuHa3bZw8ITyg8fvv0Wz2pbcj3N-o6oNrpcq/s2048/P6290492-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="2048" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhLFIMFjbJ3aM1F5JtySWb9J3VQsro8Vj16NQ-Ef1k00mFdzqlbUOyL4TW2BhH2n_1i-BdPQFZKgE2UWuAPg3HfD-3QkXioFn01x7moXlKuHa3bZw8ITyg8fvv0Wz2pbcj3N-o6oNrpcq/w640-h612/P6290492-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowLGCtRZrdOwXz3-qRdqJTZVbmBppmuGwpfHERzBS6qG0CTjj88yCoOfi9Ue903-XRMWfqlk19xkkTwi0gXzRx9TToqlxwXPqgxeANwtOfSEuGInud8xO7RdVXsiNaRzrsNhnVQ6OYGp2/s2048/P6290614-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1929" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowLGCtRZrdOwXz3-qRdqJTZVbmBppmuGwpfHERzBS6qG0CTjj88yCoOfi9Ue903-XRMWfqlk19xkkTwi0gXzRx9TToqlxwXPqgxeANwtOfSEuGInud8xO7RdVXsiNaRzrsNhnVQ6OYGp2/w602-h640/P6290614-Edit.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Interesting thing about their fishing abilities....apparently the little piggies swim through the schools of fish, and can spear the fish on spines on the roof of their beaks while they grab another. That's how they get so many. Usually we counted around 10, but the recorded record is 62 in one mouthful!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They live in burrows, up to 1 meter deep, to which they return each April to raise their young. When they return to the burrows with the fish for the baby pufflings (really, that's what they're called!!!), the kittiwakes are waiting for them to land, so they can steal the fish. It's great to watch the awkward chases as the puffin scurries for it's lair, with the gull in hot pursuit!!! Usually they rolled into the hole with fish intact!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSrI9oEyPdhwy9_Wjp_6-XhoCJ25Rf-7CprYgQ_ptKrU1IL8RBiUhOjAhy3ZIMJr-ICQcL8WqkoIDZUWGKtGtLAdFzqejxFQtdwIanqO5Blcn6ayZb4i-qUSd7u4jock0zjOrVEIgTJIA/s2048/P6290583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1493" data-original-width="2048" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSrI9oEyPdhwy9_Wjp_6-XhoCJ25Rf-7CprYgQ_ptKrU1IL8RBiUhOjAhy3ZIMJr-ICQcL8WqkoIDZUWGKtGtLAdFzqejxFQtdwIanqO5Blcn6ayZb4i-qUSd7u4jock0zjOrVEIgTJIA/w640-h466/P6290583.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOtjOB2F1J3QYRu9OKoeSo_iWQGTIPwaIostDfViiwcJfdrhTMafLXcRpyF3wZ-Sjt6zcJ3DVaPlUzwnSknqv-uvEvvuTXro3p7Y0krZ5C0dPsnp4KgIXOwU50XPS6nsebJt1djYkwduY/s2048/P6290584-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKrInpm4IPZh1wvcxyRlAwlcXq9NVhEdlTSIZaYRqQJqphje-s9Cbg7HxUyq0ev4KCppTTdRjfRDfDS-fKl2PUPkGiNH-rlCAtufjqStMaXZLxN89B0yApDyHLzpMQonz-TxUeqERzW8m/s2048/P6290667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1843" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKrInpm4IPZh1wvcxyRlAwlcXq9NVhEdlTSIZaYRqQJqphje-s9Cbg7HxUyq0ev4KCppTTdRjfRDfDS-fKl2PUPkGiNH-rlCAtufjqStMaXZLxN89B0yApDyHLzpMQonz-TxUeqERzW8m/w576-h640/P6290667.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUr0NBu0WjgdvmXejqURpiVbBh1KFpvMcGked3NjnJw1-0xPczMgA0EsxTTtnaFtcelrnGWEb1j-U76WR2bhScStaYz04V1ViZWW3AW4Q1tyPcNLX_Mv5BPBgkLdeHVoCOh-18yU0ZJr7/s2048/P6290652-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1819" data-original-width="2048" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUr0NBu0WjgdvmXejqURpiVbBh1KFpvMcGked3NjnJw1-0xPczMgA0EsxTTtnaFtcelrnGWEb1j-U76WR2bhScStaYz04V1ViZWW3AW4Q1tyPcNLX_Mv5BPBgkLdeHVoCOh-18yU0ZJr7/w640-h568/P6290652-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxgrmRrlpKztkCejn2q7tJqWdUR98Em6kUG2sYkVTqtWC89tiPd9OtJWM_5LLdvaGk37gYZZrJk3VrIVW7vGA85ODD_A_mL6XFAIugcUG6mR17aiQ_Nklz8U6sStRrfGtbeaJeuzM5QCv/s2048/P6290636-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="2048" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxgrmRrlpKztkCejn2q7tJqWdUR98Em6kUG2sYkVTqtWC89tiPd9OtJWM_5LLdvaGk37gYZZrJk3VrIVW7vGA85ODD_A_mL6XFAIugcUG6mR17aiQ_Nklz8U6sStRrfGtbeaJeuzM5QCv/w640-h446/P6290636-Edit-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stalemate!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvBXN0wzMFTQRXaO5JtzlYkwJabwuL634kyS-Bf8CTzVkjejYhUCJ4wywa02p-G1cNbwAfEVv4wJWrwE-yspXNcAUkiNmDTaRwWXuEeN8YAK_x45ntjNYIWcbr9aiydVZdOFBw6o1pQwK/s4032/IMG_4389.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvBXN0wzMFTQRXaO5JtzlYkwJabwuL634kyS-Bf8CTzVkjejYhUCJ4wywa02p-G1cNbwAfEVv4wJWrwE-yspXNcAUkiNmDTaRwWXuEeN8YAK_x45ntjNYIWcbr9aiydVZdOFBw6o1pQwK/w320-h240/IMG_4389.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>And on we went, stopping often for photographs and hikes. Here was a hike we did up to the glacier in the Vatnajokulspjodgardur National Park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRrOi2yWKapMuOUQqXoyKXghlzE0_MtY9ubBVjwFPnKH1N2qKwoQW0bWnkBQa1IksKzBQd-HQY_em8KmONqF1wtx7Eh4wm34F1BnRkCwstXMAqVLYzRTxHEutFDzkHZm4D9C0KapwVtIo/s3630/IMG_4370.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3630" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRrOi2yWKapMuOUQqXoyKXghlzE0_MtY9ubBVjwFPnKH1N2qKwoQW0bWnkBQa1IksKzBQd-HQY_em8KmONqF1wtx7Eh4wm34F1BnRkCwstXMAqVLYzRTxHEutFDzkHZm4D9C0KapwVtIo/w400-h334/IMG_4370.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>(And yes, the place names in Iceland could be very confusing, and often impossible for us to correctly pronounce. Happily we had assistance of GoogleMaps, though it was fun to listen to the gps voice try to pronounce the names, usually worse than our attempts!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Nabba1CIe5Vhq3OGft4-saVyFIfvq5u4AWPpDDS7FV1h6M_Xe_5OCP53mU7oJLDYE5iEdI6EjVdgMfgGlYD9SvIbjx6bIoKxWW9poRQCmlAWh3ge2ruMPO7jr2H2GOFldHg6hUej2-A/s2048/P6260521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="2048" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Nabba1CIe5Vhq3OGft4-saVyFIfvq5u4AWPpDDS7FV1h6M_Xe_5OCP53mU7oJLDYE5iEdI6EjVdgMfgGlYD9SvIbjx6bIoKxWW9poRQCmlAWh3ge2ruMPO7jr2H2GOFldHg6hUej2-A/w640-h412/P6260521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zelF5BWfdv7YVqdzwu-DpRSlieczj9OMGmBHHKTsrLphTOKTzr22__zPE5VLir9Sc7XVNDaoWrHRA7-DJfCMS_jYLiGgjdupwV2PpUrNWGXeI4Tm63-yS_47ImC9aX_kBvIBCb9CqsHk/s2048/P6260529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="2048" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zelF5BWfdv7YVqdzwu-DpRSlieczj9OMGmBHHKTsrLphTOKTzr22__zPE5VLir9Sc7XVNDaoWrHRA7-DJfCMS_jYLiGgjdupwV2PpUrNWGXeI4Tm63-yS_47ImC9aX_kBvIBCb9CqsHk/w640-h482/P6260529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ynRaXO_X7Zxf57PduthNftAX5Nx-KcSLznAvYRewiv7ySNK_Cr9qdo4dZxQcxG7x_OiFbL7ZdGOKqRuR04SmHee6ethMPv03RTA-u5h7mqkWCiwDoUj3aGbaa1UaYxZx1YLGAnFIbsRA/s3196/IMG_4227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="3196" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ynRaXO_X7Zxf57PduthNftAX5Nx-KcSLznAvYRewiv7ySNK_Cr9qdo4dZxQcxG7x_OiFbL7ZdGOKqRuR04SmHee6ethMPv03RTA-u5h7mqkWCiwDoUj3aGbaa1UaYxZx1YLGAnFIbsRA/w640-h198/IMG_4227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMQZnNk8EtEO0_hgpubHC8MCnvcssbJr7T1WYcxcBTQ5igseelNuva25Hhf622xhHgDZQpoaOLVNe5wUbMrVBwPtqIh1GN_8oGYEG6KSBdbiuwW9kgWAHmsAlR-V2Eyl8AnxEgoM-IZU2/s2048/IMG_4231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="2048" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMQZnNk8EtEO0_hgpubHC8MCnvcssbJr7T1WYcxcBTQ5igseelNuva25Hhf622xhHgDZQpoaOLVNe5wUbMrVBwPtqIh1GN_8oGYEG6KSBdbiuwW9kgWAHmsAlR-V2Eyl8AnxEgoM-IZU2/w400-h325/IMG_4231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In places, the glaciers ran right to the water, calving into lagoons and creating beautiful icebergs before eventually being washed out to the ocean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVrqLvvERQhCuBjNzSxvwDArdokDPekEinlCfAIu43M0xUUVKUjrHIMZl76JKsZgnaBk1s0lbe4CCw-pJbNQO6UcWtt7rQbf0thKp0RxD0-xug5WsqvukKp8aNpAX6RKnaYFuB5N7KWpY/s2048/DJI_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1697" data-original-width="2048" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVrqLvvERQhCuBjNzSxvwDArdokDPekEinlCfAIu43M0xUUVKUjrHIMZl76JKsZgnaBk1s0lbe4CCw-pJbNQO6UcWtt7rQbf0thKp0RxD0-xug5WsqvukKp8aNpAX6RKnaYFuB5N7KWpY/w640-h530/DJI_0171.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzHWiV3qs8l5JdUfMT8_J3FmHCO0GOdFW8ZSEjPAm1p7TdS_T4OqZQ80xukA67jmExRrkk5TT_GmIXghyRRh2_GsgjnYLJXj-KJTG9_vemzw2FnepTgMiVctbinMFNPKsyk6ynThBnE2i/s2048/P6260635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzHWiV3qs8l5JdUfMT8_J3FmHCO0GOdFW8ZSEjPAm1p7TdS_T4OqZQ80xukA67jmExRrkk5TT_GmIXghyRRh2_GsgjnYLJXj-KJTG9_vemzw2FnepTgMiVctbinMFNPKsyk6ynThBnE2i/w640-h480/P6260635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFYbRzdf2fkmSp1Vt8il5y-SublVxvUOTNBU8Kq6ZODdx5165i_mtDev5QIn0DiGRbYuZn-60DonYos2DqZ0LoL2aftpn5xUSN-ls7sxYOlGiLhJcWT_EHptmrJg5Mm9MyTo_6-FqbCcW/s2048/P6260674-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFYbRzdf2fkmSp1Vt8il5y-SublVxvUOTNBU8Kq6ZODdx5165i_mtDev5QIn0DiGRbYuZn-60DonYos2DqZ0LoL2aftpn5xUSN-ls7sxYOlGiLhJcWT_EHptmrJg5Mm9MyTo_6-FqbCcW/w640-h480/P6260674-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU3zU1DokjtIwPeyF-lXyZeMHa07pXf_Ve-8lnPecjO2xyUFeRU5EPXKBOVxkRziUuyKEhq8NfcoMsy4UKSlkl8RuRMIOMVbw4JVSXivMgiS-BhELq6K1WHjGsC1ecJH2b7wWmTu8eQC4/s2048/P6220039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU3zU1DokjtIwPeyF-lXyZeMHa07pXf_Ve-8lnPecjO2xyUFeRU5EPXKBOVxkRziUuyKEhq8NfcoMsy4UKSlkl8RuRMIOMVbw4JVSXivMgiS-BhELq6K1WHjGsC1ecJH2b7wWmTu8eQC4/w400-h300/P6220039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We had a fun 4 wheel drive up to <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34);"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng,</span></span> </span>the oldest excavated settlement in Iceland, buried by ash fall from the eruption of Mt. Hekla in 1104 AD. They've reconstructed one of the medieval viking farmhouses to protect the excavation. Amazing to look out over the ash covered valley, and imagine life in the thriving community before the eruption wiped it all out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTqt5RjkBwO7ZOJDVljxcr-m5kmEPqZTq2L4dEkSv1m0RMQYa8n6bbKdCdBaWRacae_ImkqrWTjf1my40QBydl-FJ46XH2yDg8mrDc9wruy6EuKHRM5UBZLwhvgyiycPmyd5oV6cb6wHt/s5184/P6220043.dng" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTqt5RjkBwO7ZOJDVljxcr-m5kmEPqZTq2L4dEkSv1m0RMQYa8n6bbKdCdBaWRacae_ImkqrWTjf1my40QBydl-FJ46XH2yDg8mrDc9wruy6EuKHRM5UBZLwhvgyiycPmyd5oV6cb6wHt/w640-h480/P6220043.dng" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And another hike.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time we were camped down in a beautiful valley. We asked the campground host, an avid hiker, to recommend a good one. She pointed up valley, to a classic glacial cirque surrounded by peaks. Looked great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We asked her how to find the trail. She said we should just start walking, making our way along a stream, up to the valley above. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We said, "Oh, you just bushwhack without a trail?" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She laughed and said, "well, you <i>could</i> call it that but there are no bushes, this is Iceland!!!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And sure enough, due to the high latitude, you can pretty much walk where you please. We made our way up the creek, and eventually found ourselves in the classic mountain landscape. And never saw another person all day!!! Beautiful!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BAxDPvHXZru0l98ZYngMTo_pp0hDyjHx7vBER2bJtgqCIrVR9uaVaLGMbZuG0Xtx9Akew1uPGto5QItm-lAcuhp1Q4tsAYZ1NCDa2UWELeU6zX2utttIrZXp8GLAd4uEW-wVZDQxQ1E0/s2048/IMG_4315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1321" data-original-width="2048" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BAxDPvHXZru0l98ZYngMTo_pp0hDyjHx7vBER2bJtgqCIrVR9uaVaLGMbZuG0Xtx9Akew1uPGto5QItm-lAcuhp1Q4tsAYZ1NCDa2UWELeU6zX2utttIrZXp8GLAd4uEW-wVZDQxQ1E0/w640-h412/IMG_4315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHik95j-PQVy2wzKo1nakr7Juv6X60MZz1Mbu2RdHYQPxeDe8F6WHC9ZmwJgyoI0zzW0x2icG4nb2yWJ3lAWYAzC50xvmHrNOUGPHq0JXWqeomjghG-iaeJ-wVJg6E_9p1WszoyDzvYdSZ/s2048/IMG_4330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHik95j-PQVy2wzKo1nakr7Juv6X60MZz1Mbu2RdHYQPxeDe8F6WHC9ZmwJgyoI0zzW0x2icG4nb2yWJ3lAWYAzC50xvmHrNOUGPHq0JXWqeomjghG-iaeJ-wVJg6E_9p1WszoyDzvYdSZ/w640-h480/IMG_4330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85-s6ilsLSDIzF8PN-UwQn4DUw6k2qZ-tOmvB6TIIeZBAt4vD0d2ytic1OZLzrmTgULAQhsrZwseXsYFdTDw5QpKLXOHBz6f9kLLO5JUsiG9VajY5JtZj3aLfUlAX1Hcv4RfG5nNzzES4/s3410/IMG_4334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="3410" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85-s6ilsLSDIzF8PN-UwQn4DUw6k2qZ-tOmvB6TIIeZBAt4vD0d2ytic1OZLzrmTgULAQhsrZwseXsYFdTDw5QpKLXOHBz6f9kLLO5JUsiG9VajY5JtZj3aLfUlAX1Hcv4RfG5nNzzES4/w640-h174/IMG_4334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBJDUrxsOTfX3evbLbUoYaOxpjw8xL7PpoFgtic3Lj0_tfJf2WPN7PyBq1fWoP5O3_ujgKhCzmGCLYtDcoPkeWtkQl61UA2QM-5_6frdglZXrGXu9PnIOTBa2rs6ttW5oUtGJyRrsMvHF/s2048/IMG_4351+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBJDUrxsOTfX3evbLbUoYaOxpjw8xL7PpoFgtic3Lj0_tfJf2WPN7PyBq1fWoP5O3_ujgKhCzmGCLYtDcoPkeWtkQl61UA2QM-5_6frdglZXrGXu9PnIOTBa2rs6ttW5oUtGJyRrsMvHF/w640-h480/IMG_4351+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA85w46MwOChbMH2LFqVvoS_GbJKW4ZQiu1_b3k0aLkuv8Sxq1OowzN8CY3kKuIQ46bOotrwQiBJQHoQe7zzm-DdUBOUraQZFhgMJb86J6SYz5-XDr3MMlTnaFR9Y_b7DxL0rneuYNX-1C/s4032/IMG_4344.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA85w46MwOChbMH2LFqVvoS_GbJKW4ZQiu1_b3k0aLkuv8Sxq1OowzN8CY3kKuIQ46bOotrwQiBJQHoQe7zzm-DdUBOUraQZFhgMJb86J6SYz5-XDr3MMlTnaFR9Y_b7DxL0rneuYNX-1C/w640-h480/IMG_4344.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1xfaeKWu38-LsbIK529JWdTmBGw1sZF3KWAwowuS7qjeqXr70rpcGw4-vh-dQCJ6iHifuoOOtRpTRIBmsWYNklPDGQyR1O6tlwtHq-xdd59ewNw-DDHo8Zap0TkHZfPKpqnAhuXIjEeW/s5184/P6300708-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3665" data-original-width="5184" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1xfaeKWu38-LsbIK529JWdTmBGw1sZF3KWAwowuS7qjeqXr70rpcGw4-vh-dQCJ6iHifuoOOtRpTRIBmsWYNklPDGQyR1O6tlwtHq-xdd59ewNw-DDHo8Zap0TkHZfPKpqnAhuXIjEeW/w640-h452/P6300708-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other than birds, Iceland has few native animals. The only endemic mammal is the arctic fox, which we never saw. Sheep, horses, and reindeer have all been introduced over the centuries. The first two are everywhere, while we only saw a few small herds of reindeer during our trip. Most of them go up to graze in the high country during the summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyD29hPzvglSppfGTHuZSKRx_4FEQPXrfElQU0sAjAYDU4JT7VyI25SVEIG_-E7qBSPdspDiEYfosDJZoctfs2V6udiZK8-OFv9womZVqEDch-GneYY2U_P02bbNVebzHffo_KiIDZ1GS/s2048/P6270754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="2048" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyD29hPzvglSppfGTHuZSKRx_4FEQPXrfElQU0sAjAYDU4JT7VyI25SVEIG_-E7qBSPdspDiEYfosDJZoctfs2V6udiZK8-OFv9womZVqEDch-GneYY2U_P02bbNVebzHffo_KiIDZ1GS/w640-h380/P6270754.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDk9Koj5X_3JkprlfF8zv3QZ5rMOTQjBUnHB0gMa-AO4ABpEwDQggOZDewtEJlNxOXOg3WXRYmJ9qt7nLbxdb4Xc8bor7txZjlhd0MY1rnoWqY7C0Ui9h1RusW4P-iQOANqI32r8z6lsr/s2048/P6280117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDk9Koj5X_3JkprlfF8zv3QZ5rMOTQjBUnHB0gMa-AO4ABpEwDQggOZDewtEJlNxOXOg3WXRYmJ9qt7nLbxdb4Xc8bor7txZjlhd0MY1rnoWqY7C0Ui9h1RusW4P-iQOANqI32r8z6lsr/w640-h480/P6280117.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLS7c_Ik3885QiZQ4rHaiIzmGc5MWvcnVAnCBf9pjeVxlEPN4Pfoe2wb-9lIaKT4vG5bgxFM-le7NtYKyQ1fawRN6Ngg9QAWuPvPPVpEbVFlSVXmBK6fdT9Gk_BMPbcISdN8l4P77640U/s2048/P6280119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1603" data-original-width="2048" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLS7c_Ik3885QiZQ4rHaiIzmGc5MWvcnVAnCBf9pjeVxlEPN4Pfoe2wb-9lIaKT4vG5bgxFM-le7NtYKyQ1fawRN6Ngg9QAWuPvPPVpEbVFlSVXmBK6fdT9Gk_BMPbcISdN8l4P77640U/w640-h500/P6280119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-pFzLCjb-K5BWfhtUX6TnjvRpJMrK3i59BUaS94srpW4MMbqGK_bq1dTWobPzzGHO9jkh-ijMNOugON0adoF8gpQXEPSUdYaDSsahC_ho6u1qPDWMp_-dMEZMVfwWd6up6soPUdm29gC/s1682/P6290142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="1682" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-pFzLCjb-K5BWfhtUX6TnjvRpJMrK3i59BUaS94srpW4MMbqGK_bq1dTWobPzzGHO9jkh-ijMNOugON0adoF8gpQXEPSUdYaDSsahC_ho6u1qPDWMp_-dMEZMVfwWd6up6soPUdm29gC/w640-h542/P6290142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0taNixfraSkqzgWU3PNTqxUM9xTfm5O5h5TjKgbypVXEskpaMjo-O8WKZLFlOniJ0uhCrDhRGuA7GeBPK_CJ6NkAyjlQ5cT3DTB5ZvX3AhgJGxMl9RAY9rDmRMG1Nuo6h4lHzQvQO12q/s2048/P6290174-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0taNixfraSkqzgWU3PNTqxUM9xTfm5O5h5TjKgbypVXEskpaMjo-O8WKZLFlOniJ0uhCrDhRGuA7GeBPK_CJ6NkAyjlQ5cT3DTB5ZvX3AhgJGxMl9RAY9rDmRMG1Nuo6h4lHzQvQO12q/w640-h480/P6290174-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAp66gNtlJPeblwhiw1Emn-SjCjKN_aMd0ITQ-JldYTOq_J1A_hbpFtVpc0D9GG-MG3FN8zWmVPfY8nn6QB5-m0l3KXJ10tycBrwGxZpgFfzXZK7H9lfqoXkpLB093UKQBe7lqJR4N6ieS/s2048/P7070986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1322" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAp66gNtlJPeblwhiw1Emn-SjCjKN_aMd0ITQ-JldYTOq_J1A_hbpFtVpc0D9GG-MG3FN8zWmVPfY8nn6QB5-m0l3KXJ10tycBrwGxZpgFfzXZK7H9lfqoXkpLB093UKQBe7lqJR4N6ieS/w414-h640/P7070986.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-QxMJxT_DkllSKSE0QiEHwJ_eRY60YxgbTfR9Ok1L-7klUupqL1peC1stVIeCMhGgaRbq671b7dfnsWQC8PF8eDBOci2Ihkku0nmqlhkJQLN4fW3ZeH5Xs7BkFw6GUUTSXg5mdbSsBSP/s2048/IMG_4182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-QxMJxT_DkllSKSE0QiEHwJ_eRY60YxgbTfR9Ok1L-7klUupqL1peC1stVIeCMhGgaRbq671b7dfnsWQC8PF8eDBOci2Ihkku0nmqlhkJQLN4fW3ZeH5Xs7BkFw6GUUTSXg5mdbSsBSP/w640-h480/IMG_4182.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rigs for driving on the glaciers are impressive. This one, for the search-and-rescue team up at Landmannalangar was typical, sporting 44-inch tires! </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFp4K6_IPhKKbYn9nc0tMH1siHTBAVYTNpKz9uH3c6DjPjOCYdLyliqHcyynvtH2ZOz6i7kB4WOR3RRdbg10iHUZscXGmdxN2liX8WEwvke1OmVovxc2jA4C4fDzy2DmrtSrZNYDm_dIS/s3915/P6230148-Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="3915" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFp4K6_IPhKKbYn9nc0tMH1siHTBAVYTNpKz9uH3c6DjPjOCYdLyliqHcyynvtH2ZOz6i7kB4WOR3RRdbg10iHUZscXGmdxN2liX8WEwvke1OmVovxc2jA4C4fDzy2DmrtSrZNYDm_dIS/w640-h132/P6230148-Pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUv85yVd2mef4DB-GYBOSMLlk01cKWrLMjnrr5LHsWtKe4UxY-nsVqRF8Uv0nIoEzg7Ni2UuaC8kClCkOOKu1pteRpTx40Z1Gklxygxwdteyk8KeEMOPWfvXXTppjgsdDCwbzZPLsTFpF/s2048/P6230226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1287" data-original-width="2048" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUv85yVd2mef4DB-GYBOSMLlk01cKWrLMjnrr5LHsWtKe4UxY-nsVqRF8Uv0nIoEzg7Ni2UuaC8kClCkOOKu1pteRpTx40Z1Gklxygxwdteyk8KeEMOPWfvXXTppjgsdDCwbzZPLsTFpF/w640-h402/P6230226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBFnNUThbUf1FPH6wsjm5MGYpCFtSJkqdphnidQPIUHdOfINRL_8BGiqjcOXk4JAOU6r5bfE263GK-iOwfgvOjrR92BF0wAPBnR3TibFlbXZaenrlShvAqcpkdKEJ8Y94dXctp6qlYYmM/s2048/IMG_4264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBFnNUThbUf1FPH6wsjm5MGYpCFtSJkqdphnidQPIUHdOfINRL_8BGiqjcOXk4JAOU6r5bfE263GK-iOwfgvOjrR92BF0wAPBnR3TibFlbXZaenrlShvAqcpkdKEJ8Y94dXctp6qlYYmM/w640-h480/IMG_4264.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happily food shopping in Iceland has improved over the years!!! Saw these relics on the shelf in one out-of-the-way grocery store!!! We gave it a "Nah, don't think so"!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFG4GPJ_lYUK5PBIFLiae5lsT2cVIUusrng2q5isMXuycjRpHWXv6dv9n0wkzz967KqcfmHIWyQzPq1MLE5IvAK5Q-ZZnFqEwts6VBY5vo26zrHu_-AtaumOQMhkp_PoXRytg3dJ-kCrGa/s2048/IMG_4285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="2048" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFG4GPJ_lYUK5PBIFLiae5lsT2cVIUusrng2q5isMXuycjRpHWXv6dv9n0wkzz967KqcfmHIWyQzPq1MLE5IvAK5Q-ZZnFqEwts6VBY5vo26zrHu_-AtaumOQMhkp_PoXRytg3dJ-kCrGa/w640-h434/IMG_4285.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you live on an island, you get good at improvising!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YVMp_SDdN_47bL4xZwwtrb2ou3IBJOeXTN2AreRt3PXBCwSYXEXJ2kypLz8LV_gr6AHNaXlAzHSj4mRpDbm7yn-6bpSKQePx_V3iH9NlHnYQzxqmGi6y-L_vWUt8m4hDiv_4r885KMpo/s2048/IMG_4362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YVMp_SDdN_47bL4xZwwtrb2ou3IBJOeXTN2AreRt3PXBCwSYXEXJ2kypLz8LV_gr6AHNaXlAzHSj4mRpDbm7yn-6bpSKQePx_V3iH9NlHnYQzxqmGi6y-L_vWUt8m4hDiv_4r885KMpo/w640-h480/IMG_4362.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Came upon this "Environmental art piece", a solar and wind powered vending machine in the middle of nowhere!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WPoMuoNkuEF5e-1LkPiUgdd-bfgnU9Po4nijVLcaqnxNEBgTlz4s_9zDo9qxqv_jJlOAXZrk4ommzOIE6_i1vDyE3o67IcyvoaEO9xEeJpYERF0xSWeqvTxQHnwtYVxO6CEjTgMt7V41/s2048/IMG_4360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WPoMuoNkuEF5e-1LkPiUgdd-bfgnU9Po4nijVLcaqnxNEBgTlz4s_9zDo9qxqv_jJlOAXZrk4ommzOIE6_i1vDyE3o67IcyvoaEO9xEeJpYERF0xSWeqvTxQHnwtYVxO6CEjTgMt7V41/w640-h480/IMG_4360.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ljwfoJBktXdlRlKpMq4GI7hz2RtBRARVwKfw8-W_VSLNXOsUw0sFaf8otIKRLazP-WxiSAJOtL4LLwDm1voot37s00qj1VVIXVKgjLtJaGhvHPepYtBVTRjkd6JdlhzaI69yGDkmdnOv/s2048/P6240298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT7un6VCfWEv7ncTD_SSnTNtGf45_EmaBmLozY3S0rcmKV_QSzCPSGQU69YMFiV-NPopFVCrotFPPPGON5cHaIRnSLmYK2npCEiTCjGMvdwvpIHibdYcQWi7J4_PkstycZfKiTCRSMq8f/w640-h480/IMG_4437.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhj8A9fG0GxPLFoAq-e5XzB_7LdIMhhkUxQeTM0PSYrZR64SiGe4VFAyZHIByHNttMoB3inxvjc66h9E00mwBdDWric1z2g24iEmBrPkX86HTb7vMLrCyW9lCHZebWOcPyfrhx5ste2NO/s4032/IMG_4268.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhj8A9fG0GxPLFoAq-e5XzB_7LdIMhhkUxQeTM0PSYrZR64SiGe4VFAyZHIByHNttMoB3inxvjc66h9E00mwBdDWric1z2g24iEmBrPkX86HTb7vMLrCyW9lCHZebWOcPyfrhx5ste2NO/w640-h480/IMG_4268.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe5oqtIkm1AmP16SibzcRu-MUmRCMHu5MWqak3fRjI-NXmzsb-3L-O9Kv-Gl_W5ZW-n2-0Xfni5XOic8FcBqPbifrgqglCGAcEoNeQIdXQ3xHqK0Taok5crJ3nv4I_QFTzXPvNxoxHVnU/s5183/P6260540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2089" data-original-width="5183" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe5oqtIkm1AmP16SibzcRu-MUmRCMHu5MWqak3fRjI-NXmzsb-3L-O9Kv-Gl_W5ZW-n2-0Xfni5XOic8FcBqPbifrgqglCGAcEoNeQIdXQ3xHqK0Taok5crJ3nv4I_QFTzXPvNxoxHVnU/w640-h258/P6260540.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgpmsCB7zyGtQoxnzM70dzajbJKdLjV0GhAiHMZgmxNpvjluddqKxCWTpGfz-Vbbwav_Ejgb8KRhJXgCFX5hScOJF1DljiuTE2zxrbepvMoyDXiJuLhepSYt7IE76C-CQIwLAUgq25jx_/s4509/P7020743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="4509" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgpmsCB7zyGtQoxnzM70dzajbJKdLjV0GhAiHMZgmxNpvjluddqKxCWTpGfz-Vbbwav_Ejgb8KRhJXgCFX5hScOJF1DljiuTE2zxrbepvMoyDXiJuLhepSYt7IE76C-CQIwLAUgq25jx_/w640-h392/P7020743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHnVSqYVoy05ZwldCdl5ZoyHWgY8_MfXFpZg0h4XW3ByRTAJJ-sLEIT9ASQdjped8Bb-GAfSsWwZoBg_Itl41KOyyKck9DpVUZZTRq9-3njCw2_yZ5ZMyThyphenhyphenpO5_zPHDIYuWp-hZKJAz_/s4032/IMG_4374.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHnVSqYVoy05ZwldCdl5ZoyHWgY8_MfXFpZg0h4XW3ByRTAJJ-sLEIT9ASQdjped8Bb-GAfSsWwZoBg_Itl41KOyyKck9DpVUZZTRq9-3njCw2_yZ5ZMyThyphenhyphenpO5_zPHDIYuWp-hZKJAz_/w640-h480/IMG_4374.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steepest road in Iceland, up to 15% grade....passing oncoming cars got a bit interesting!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NHl3lYtjR9LVK1K33jRVGn1p5J-57B1NZ-m8YQR1vwnOJyNE9HAp4OzFvL1w5yJvkAyHltNaCcIssLHr7XWIdd2PUA6ryyKwZ71nbuUaa7ZJNOQNF0dRgrMfBJVChJW8RUACoRdg3yer/s2048/P7071005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NHl3lYtjR9LVK1K33jRVGn1p5J-57B1NZ-m8YQR1vwnOJyNE9HAp4OzFvL1w5yJvkAyHltNaCcIssLHr7XWIdd2PUA6ryyKwZ71nbuUaa7ZJNOQNF0dRgrMfBJVChJW8RUACoRdg3yer/w640-h480/P7071005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to National Geographic, "Fifty-four percent of Icelanders either believe in elves, or say it's possible they exist. Roads have been diverted around boulders where the elves, or álfar in Icelandic, supposedly reside. A former member of parliament even swears his life was saved in a car accident by a family of elves". Who were we to disagree!!!</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'll wrap it up on that note...many more stories and photos will have to wait. As you can tell, we loved our short trip to Iceland, and very much hope to return, perhaps in winter to see the northern lights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we returned, we got the nicest Border Force officer at the random immigration window in Heathrow. We showed him our passports, quaking in our shoes that he could deny us entry, so soon after using up our previous 6 months. But he just gave us a big smile, we heard the happy sound of the stamp as he then handed us our passports, and said "Welcome to the UK, enjoy your stay"!!! YEE-HAH!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We returned to Bravo, safe and happily waiting for us at the terrific Ardfern Yacht Center near Oban. We've been taking it slow for a bit, as Cindi reinjured an old shoulder injury, while on one of our hikes. It seems to be slowly improving, so we're meandering south in Scotland, now on Islay. (Can you say "W-H-I-S-K-Y???)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The plan is to head down the west coast of Ireland next, as we need to be back in France on September 1 for a few weeks of boat work by the Boreal team, before heading to Spain/Portugal, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde to await the new year, when we'll look for a weather window to cross the Atlantic. To where? Who knows.....it all depends on Covid at this point....what's open, what's closed!.....stay tuned.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZTzDCbeyUGJVdGGBhIQqLwJ5DcHxdcHANkyADfUEVP3OSB01KzYsg-tUkTCYedrTtpjNAJd-QqVsKL363c7gPT6_B_-oyPdZUOyVlLnnw8E-N0SHqaDrYgqsGFd6O5RwNhKHhD-Fxvaq/s4032/IMG_4396.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZTzDCbeyUGJVdGGBhIQqLwJ5DcHxdcHANkyADfUEVP3OSB01KzYsg-tUkTCYedrTtpjNAJd-QqVsKL363c7gPT6_B_-oyPdZUOyVlLnnw8E-N0SHqaDrYgqsGFd6O5RwNhKHhD-Fxvaq/w640-h480/IMG_4396.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlsaVWYXKa5luKdRehuI6Uf9kvA_Z1mp7kdX-7JwLfcGg3smyZYv_zv-GOMkaFAT_6PmDp26uW7QsUomakhLkdOZxp3Cko2KVvjrBiSQxNa00cOda3dW53IPDKIY0184aP_LILkgbBKrl/s5170/P6273912-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3344" data-original-width="5170" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlsaVWYXKa5luKdRehuI6Uf9kvA_Z1mp7kdX-7JwLfcGg3smyZYv_zv-GOMkaFAT_6PmDp26uW7QsUomakhLkdOZxp3Cko2KVvjrBiSQxNa00cOda3dW53IPDKIY0184aP_LILkgbBKrl/w640-h414/P6273912-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-66298334194729913832021-06-11T01:57:00.000+12:002021-06-11T01:57:00.565+12:00North to Scotland!<h2 style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Scotland - Part 1</b></u></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNzQ7wE3HMjGnTQlHrpftOyy0XDbAHTGG0_jr7HFNmck6pmVZdjrNyKyjSukZDE6gSHGrcXc_YvpmLD5aO8Nk5g5utKX4wCEDNJ4yqj3tJvuojHgLqFuMeAzxiXUYQ1fDD0nJ25ifBhXv/s2048/Voyage+of+S-V+Bravo+-+Google+My+Maps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNzQ7wE3HMjGnTQlHrpftOyy0XDbAHTGG0_jr7HFNmck6pmVZdjrNyKyjSukZDE6gSHGrcXc_YvpmLD5aO8Nk5g5utKX4wCEDNJ4yqj3tJvuojHgLqFuMeAzxiXUYQ1fDD0nJ25ifBhXv/w506-h640/Voyage+of+S-V+Bravo+-+Google+My+Maps.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Leaving Dartmouth a few weeks ago was a bit like leaving home...after 4 months on the River Dart, we really had developed feelings of nostalgia for the lovely town. But it was time to move on, and point the bow west to Lands End, before heading north to Scotland. Our time in the UK has been largely spent in lockdown, and we were eager to see as much as we could before our visas expire.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9BzBfWa797VGLBc8jako3xMGF5qR35_Rs4B3xLkm1Ae3DsSLlQINds5CSJoKlAFI-yeefQuERlIMEPjtd5TdBNWlIRI3wacTAYzxQtmOdWkt4prPljTQBs6yBGXVl2kl8Pz2eU1Gt1Hw/s2048/IMG_3796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="2048" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9BzBfWa797VGLBc8jako3xMGF5qR35_Rs4B3xLkm1Ae3DsSLlQINds5CSJoKlAFI-yeefQuERlIMEPjtd5TdBNWlIRI3wacTAYzxQtmOdWkt4prPljTQBs6yBGXVl2kl8Pz2eU1Gt1Hw/w640-h474/IMG_3796.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing Dartmouth Castle, as we leave the River Dart, our home for nearly 5 months.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSspkydaoy5Tzg_59t1geD1zODIIxrD_Gmskr9LMFkCQnHH73L6gto_ysZPTV0vUTo-QyoBZizhpROxEc6RJnGFC2nQ6DTVPpTmpZuwOth46mIi_Dumiy0U4rVhyphenhyphent460mVJJgiJAvBPZjJ/s2048/IMG_3829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSspkydaoy5Tzg_59t1geD1zODIIxrD_Gmskr9LMFkCQnHH73L6gto_ysZPTV0vUTo-QyoBZizhpROxEc6RJnGFC2nQ6DTVPpTmpZuwOth46mIi_Dumiy0U4rVhyphenhyphent460mVJJgiJAvBPZjJ/w480-h640/IMG_3829.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTl67GGXpcin3XQJpz9fhBd_dqbKUHMmSMRFK9PKPhFRg5NkLm_R3gFBFHNDAqJAT2EuDo3x8b9c7BMLFkLs_WueIvq5o5eW_4LVm3VA4yM8EaC6MHtbpraw-phSoVP8RocuOOJ1vHptE/s2048/P1070458-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTl67GGXpcin3XQJpz9fhBd_dqbKUHMmSMRFK9PKPhFRg5NkLm_R3gFBFHNDAqJAT2EuDo3x8b9c7BMLFkLs_WueIvq5o5eW_4LVm3VA4yM8EaC6MHtbpraw-phSoVP8RocuOOJ1vHptE/w300-h400/P1070458-Edit.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photos of Bravo by Graham Keating</td></tr></tbody></table>We headed out in company with our good mates Graham and Diane on s/y Maunie of Ardwall, for a 20 mile sail to the River Yealm, near Plymouth. After a rainy night on the visitors pontoon, we were off in the morning for a fantastic close reach to Falmouth. One of our best sails yet on new Bravo, we learned a lot about how she handles in a bit of a breeze, as we tried various sail combinations in the building breeze up to around 35kn apparent. Sustained boat speed was over 9kn, with moments of glory surfing near 11. Yee hah, she handled the windy flat water conditions beautifully!!!<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OcHyqjuyg_OryQ-DA5muixsnvkncqbiGJzgfctP_T4T3jPIW6tvk88ZPlHiGX0bHvgl9J7htufyxRCorT0x33-7cj2Iay9OD7Xp6LAVKp1pC_khHIT2zR3ITMc6zLIqfDY0G5bIxpgCp/s2048/P1070468-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="2048" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OcHyqjuyg_OryQ-DA5muixsnvkncqbiGJzgfctP_T4T3jPIW6tvk88ZPlHiGX0bHvgl9J7htufyxRCorT0x33-7cj2Iay9OD7Xp6LAVKp1pC_khHIT2zR3ITMc6zLIqfDY0G5bIxpgCp/w640-h386/P1070468-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycOna2VVRSAkMIeLsOtpnP2vA9aCFYzkxMzSzjzwS2brqGbyNppgZErganJivvoU9q1B51zHvTn-esRi5jxwGsI00o6NudPJQFdlHQcVjCZxOnmfCoO57P5gmWqFMBcwNAF4bVAff695a/s2048/P5132561-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycOna2VVRSAkMIeLsOtpnP2vA9aCFYzkxMzSzjzwS2brqGbyNppgZErganJivvoU9q1B51zHvTn-esRi5jxwGsI00o6NudPJQFdlHQcVjCZxOnmfCoO57P5gmWqFMBcwNAF4bVAff695a/w514-h640/P5132561-Edit.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwUD05aUnO-mZCevX8JqaB8F_xn20-oUO4Yi1MstX6-vt3hgycqJZmHGWwp8zG-K5qqVMM_AH73Fd1VAqixzhr7fRW3VT2CrVnLM7ruHGgJTl9Tt5iHXaseuRKdhAdR3CwlPjnqvNHoRo/s2048/P5132571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="2048" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwUD05aUnO-mZCevX8JqaB8F_xn20-oUO4Yi1MstX6-vt3hgycqJZmHGWwp8zG-K5qqVMM_AH73Fd1VAqixzhr7fRW3VT2CrVnLM7ruHGgJTl9Tt5iHXaseuRKdhAdR3CwlPjnqvNHoRo/w400-h221/P5132571.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maunie handled the winds with ease</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Falmouth was a great stop, as we waited for the strong northerly winds to ease and give us a viable window to head north to Scotland. With it's amazing seafaring history, the town was a great place to explore, and imagine the hundreds of years of ocean going adventures which had been launched here. And the pubs were open at last, at least to bundled up outdoor drinking (and eating)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJZolULkxvEBLKMEMX1Q1g7EUa9BPvDwGhF7WdnLBFt_0nYdjs9fhhlkyNEgcNfc5p7rwoc6jSHG2PFW9CvgOWU4R_xLfc9ayRou_YuQt35CJlMO6_IsPJGD_UxQQl37qdf3DQLKxNUos/s2048/IMG_3805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="2048" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJZolULkxvEBLKMEMX1Q1g7EUa9BPvDwGhF7WdnLBFt_0nYdjs9fhhlkyNEgcNfc5p7rwoc6jSHG2PFW9CvgOWU4R_xLfc9ayRou_YuQt35CJlMO6_IsPJGD_UxQQl37qdf3DQLKxNUos/w400-h254/IMG_3805.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSbYqNkapbZe6IAvcXDwiUNA4kuMTWYA3IBK4K0pH-hJJEcV5l_ivSwiZ5w_Q5Y21MzQkLWmYl3LdENdAZIcv9Sy0lZH8IFx-bhKV2TkSPhzoLWKAARH3DClvCDmvg1lBqPZ6xd8KpQAk/s2048/IMG_3806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1521" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSbYqNkapbZe6IAvcXDwiUNA4kuMTWYA3IBK4K0pH-hJJEcV5l_ivSwiZ5w_Q5Y21MzQkLWmYl3LdENdAZIcv9Sy0lZH8IFx-bhKV2TkSPhzoLWKAARH3DClvCDmvg1lBqPZ6xd8KpQAk/w298-h400/IMG_3806.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many drunken sailors over the centuries have been dragged to their waiting ships through this alley? </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The weather window wasn't huge, but we decided to jump on it, as to wait could have meant a week spent waiting for the strong cyclonic winds to go back to the south. The PredictWind models showed the tale...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8wB-Us35C5QC9cZsw-GxAm6Tt-c-W5CVVnMHpzqcx2haWTLEdvoP9_W0FTkOaR1ZVF0EH3O4hZ82jmtP1S1-7oyXRAeQ9aL1-DUJpHZF9RMyP71Xs9vm-55OSGIu-SM5D1NCgnKgn3QC/s2532/IMG_3876.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2532" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8wB-Us35C5QC9cZsw-GxAm6Tt-c-W5CVVnMHpzqcx2haWTLEdvoP9_W0FTkOaR1ZVF0EH3O4hZ82jmtP1S1-7oyXRAeQ9aL1-DUJpHZF9RMyP71Xs9vm-55OSGIu-SM5D1NCgnKgn3QC/w185-h400/IMG_3876.PNG" width="185" /></a></div><p>After a few days in Falmouth, we set our sights on Scotland, and the little town of Kirkcudbright, home to Graham's parents. The sailing gave us a wide range of conditions, from light and fluky to fine breezes. We were accompanied by several pods of dolphins, some staying with us for an hour or more at a time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxTLnCM5-pnwGRqQ4VbMQA3hyRR0_hqEoOvi3s6VuTHs-ROs8M2a-bMPtKojcV6-D5FZVFzNc-QAUlsPc-V4UNIrzdep_DVCpraGhm8tQDfmPz9Gl9HjMDDRc3TV1g5ElOs0zLbAk8n8g/s2048/IMG_3852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxTLnCM5-pnwGRqQ4VbMQA3hyRR0_hqEoOvi3s6VuTHs-ROs8M2a-bMPtKojcV6-D5FZVFzNc-QAUlsPc-V4UNIrzdep_DVCpraGhm8tQDfmPz9Gl9HjMDDRc3TV1g5ElOs0zLbAk8n8g/w640-h360/IMG_3852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgND43ZT-U8vC01kALcTKKqph2QYzJP1qkxlRBIVjyqY_uNwS__9C3EPh4satZxp6Ouh-Lm2G3uMYZbInC-pehgIvawg7w8z-DjeHAsrszatCuaylHPlJLb6CHFT2lsONjKCk7Fr0EGRrdR/s2048/IMG_3864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgND43ZT-U8vC01kALcTKKqph2QYzJP1qkxlRBIVjyqY_uNwS__9C3EPh4satZxp6Ouh-Lm2G3uMYZbInC-pehgIvawg7w8z-DjeHAsrszatCuaylHPlJLb6CHFT2lsONjKCk7Fr0EGRrdR/w640-h480/IMG_3864.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27cX3b0Tc0tjoCCfXQN066_1lX3bLQH7Vcg538yLxdRnYGwhogdsDTl6BA69vgp3Oa7u_B1z0VTfXfeKVY-jjXHc2nQ8VN8jPtf3kFORdwbuyWgAvWUKrSYVR51tABSps3q62gEeq-5bd/s2528/P5192609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="2528" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27cX3b0Tc0tjoCCfXQN066_1lX3bLQH7Vcg538yLxdRnYGwhogdsDTl6BA69vgp3Oa7u_B1z0VTfXfeKVY-jjXHc2nQ8VN8jPtf3kFORdwbuyWgAvWUKrSYVR51tABSps3q62gEeq-5bd/w640-h314/P5192609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We made the 370 mile trip in just over 2 days, anchoring at the mouth of the River Dee after midnight to wait for first light to wind our way 4 miles upstream, where Geoff and Helen were on hand to give us a warm welcome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvEEPw7tyJkho0cUAopRDy5Rcc_EmNNXvPxvN83aHrlRo4wO4Vuae7hKgvRKzrIYMhcov4AcjH4UxJZ7uNV_vFL13fuEMY60zT32VnytKzpVoNQBLX39ITeqqnt3hp29jYCDnLJMpoVBM/s2048/IMG_3880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvEEPw7tyJkho0cUAopRDy5Rcc_EmNNXvPxvN83aHrlRo4wO4Vuae7hKgvRKzrIYMhcov4AcjH4UxJZ7uNV_vFL13fuEMY60zT32VnytKzpVoNQBLX39ITeqqnt3hp29jYCDnLJMpoVBM/w400-h300/IMG_3880.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The single pontoon marina is amazingly tidal, even so far inland, and we watched the boats all around go high and dry on the ebbs....happily we were in a spot which kept a bit of water under our lifted centerboard!<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEkYuUsk0qaR5R8XfsWXKwoYZwH7sWsQ2yU4WOLmP5ZkK5ac9SfJ5lIAwRv7SFS3cC8l1Accrc41wWwXEtYtXLQ7nR1PxAdQQU2Ds2rWr3kwlP4aKZJqjqRqBILHGkQMCKVTzVXXVZwOB/s2048/IMG_3903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="2048" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEkYuUsk0qaR5R8XfsWXKwoYZwH7sWsQ2yU4WOLmP5ZkK5ac9SfJ5lIAwRv7SFS3cC8l1Accrc41wWwXEtYtXLQ7nR1PxAdQQU2Ds2rWr3kwlP4aKZJqjqRqBILHGkQMCKVTzVXXVZwOB/w640-h394/IMG_3903.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitojd9VhA0nKzLwcKn0d1cZ7Wf0aqP8IfPQeYb00mJ6u9n5BUDJY66OYj6hWDISG8d1IctbqNxMcptckeIlMsI3lyLAHoFIVgnr1bJ0Lg3q1IKhPR04I3F_kOoUmwLcQZmZ122LXFXd31P/s2048/IMG_3877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1771" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitojd9VhA0nKzLwcKn0d1cZ7Wf0aqP8IfPQeYb00mJ6u9n5BUDJY66OYj6hWDISG8d1IctbqNxMcptckeIlMsI3lyLAHoFIVgnr1bJ0Lg3q1IKhPR04I3F_kOoUmwLcQZmZ122LXFXd31P/s320/IMG_3877.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYLAbZpjT4l9oy9X2hxI6F7Umdd8RzmHLm3Rme86Nsz1aC8USPADeKxvPgVGpjBrMNPKc7eGGSLY1hU3djueM6lP3VDZXabyh-rXdl41Z7NRHepz6YjnxNABYNP14tpcC1ApfEyugxoIy/s4032/IMG_3890.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYLAbZpjT4l9oy9X2hxI6F7Umdd8RzmHLm3Rme86Nsz1aC8USPADeKxvPgVGpjBrMNPKc7eGGSLY1hU3djueM6lP3VDZXabyh-rXdl41Z7NRHepz6YjnxNABYNP14tpcC1ApfEyugxoIy/s320/IMG_3890.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geoff with his sweet boat at her mooring.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>After a few days of the Keating's hospitality, we headed north to Troon. The forecast called for brisk winds, in mid 20's, and moderate seas. Together with Maunie, with Graham's dad Geoff, an avid sailor, on board for the trip, we decided that it would be feasible conditions to round the Mull of Galloway, even with it's reputation for big overfalls and currents, especially in wind against tide conditions.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b>Mull of Galloway</b></u></p><p>The "Mull" lived up to it's reputation. Shortly after leaving the mouth of the River Dee, the winds built up to around 35 knots on the nose, and the confused washing machine seas were around 3 meters, giving us the roughest conditions we'd yet experienced on new Bravo. We had a #2 reef in, but at that we were still very much overpowered. We're still learning the sail combinations for the different conditions with this boat, which is very different to sail than old Bravo, with her 11,000 pounds of lead in the deep keel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dytv_1EEyiekSVDpQElic2ATfqX0BK-cCb9bJQUl0UqfJsIshMz-cg50vDjGZuGQcsv6Jw8uVm7ps3D3deCCw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p><br /></p><p>Just as we were preparing to put in a 3rd reef, the entire boat "went dark" without warning. No autopilot, instruments, gps, radio comms, or lights.....all circuits were dead! And just as we really wanted the autopilot to keep driving as we tucked in another reef. The boat was on her ear, (we later found seaweed draped over the leeward lifeline!!!). As we struggled to regain control, all of a sudden the boat "lit up".....all 12 volt circuits started up again!!! YEE HAH!!! we did a quick happy dance!!! But our happiness was short lived, as the cycle of off/on happened 3 more times over the next hour or so. We dropped the mainsail completely while we tried to figure out the problem with the electrical system. Visibility was very poor, as the rain got heavier. We started the motor (it has a dedicated starter battery) and dropped the main sail for the last bit of the overflows. At last we rounded the Mull of Galloway, out of the tidal race, and gladly headed north.</p><p>So what the hell had happened to our electrical system? After all, having the boat shut down like that at the wrong time could be disastrous. Had this occurred at night, in shipping lanes, ships tracking us on AIS or visually by our lights would not have known we were out there. And similarly, we would have been "blind" without radar or AIS to spot ships. While we still have no definitive answer, at this point all signs point to the Battery Management System (BMS) of the lithium battery installation. All of the electrical equipment is by Victron, a quality, major manufacturer, and all of the "smart" components, including the batteries themselves, are networked. The job of the BMS is to protect the batteries, and will shut down all loads on the system if it senses low overall system battery voltage, overheating of the batteries, or cell imbalance between individual cells in the batteries. Here is where the answer may lie.....given the struggle of the autopilot in these wind/sea conditions, it is possible that the demands on the battery bank may have caused a cell imbalance, even though the overall battery voltage was fine (we'd been hooked to shore power for 3 days in Kirkcudbright, so had been 100% only 2 hours earlier). This COULD be what caused the boat's loads to be disconnected intermittently. Basically, the batteries are just too smart!!! Scary.</p><p>Later, after consulting our schematic wiring diagram, reading the manuals for the system components, and emails with Boreal/TEEM back in France, it seems as though we can install an override switch across the terminals of the BatteryProtect relay, which can allow us to disable the protective circuitry in case of emergency, should this event happen again. Definitely a project for the near future, when we bring the boat back to France for some work (more on that later). Happily it has not re-ocurred in the past 3 weeks of cruising.</p><p><br /></p><p>After a nice stop at Troon, and a visit with South Pacific cruising mate Colin from s/y Ithaca, we continued to enjoy our journey north with visits to sweet anchorages and small towns.</p><p>Caladh Harbor was one such little anchorage. Quiet except for the birdsong, we even enjoyed a rare bit of sun!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc7yjAmVL9w5knDd2WNReQN6zsAQhIMe_ZIeKaXKWILeZdNVvPQHGMnR8r2c3e1FlwVdtHV4e9yH9UftLpYIFJaMgVBnpVP5IHh2ypOLHGmAc3fx_4FW_bcxNFCrspvBm8pGL9yThCKmG/s1205/191739952_10160981404648852_4009971963236411763_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1205" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc7yjAmVL9w5knDd2WNReQN6zsAQhIMe_ZIeKaXKWILeZdNVvPQHGMnR8r2c3e1FlwVdtHV4e9yH9UftLpYIFJaMgVBnpVP5IHh2ypOLHGmAc3fx_4FW_bcxNFCrspvBm8pGL9yThCKmG/w640-h382/191739952_10160981404648852_4009971963236411763_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the evening on the "back porch" with Maunie</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgRFssD1wO7EgwFI6boHw-fRGchmqY-m-v17_lXIboupuz0ZIChtIT8sJXgi76bBGOO7Pj5Jh3F42W8TkLnh7MZ63OqEp61LXWuQz0OPFrrgINOoEqs_DGWKhthhZn7CJBZhI7MwDqlws/s3673/IMG_3926.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2283" data-original-width="3673" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgRFssD1wO7EgwFI6boHw-fRGchmqY-m-v17_lXIboupuz0ZIChtIT8sJXgi76bBGOO7Pj5Jh3F42W8TkLnh7MZ63OqEp61LXWuQz0OPFrrgINOoEqs_DGWKhthhZn7CJBZhI7MwDqlws/w640-h398/IMG_3926.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkttIXyf3cT14mJhpJV4mAJbX-NSbdj39uOJta5nivuuuJ7331SvfypEMamjvCo52mZP4_5uOpP0n2CGeaqkJNL6LDsRYDlI6iJe9zvJy8hehsnQQRa8n88XEcKrGOOM1PQubCmu0xA1y/s2048/P5262647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="2048" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkttIXyf3cT14mJhpJV4mAJbX-NSbdj39uOJta5nivuuuJ7331SvfypEMamjvCo52mZP4_5uOpP0n2CGeaqkJNL6LDsRYDlI6iJe9zvJy8hehsnQQRa8n88XEcKrGOOM1PQubCmu0xA1y/w640-h392/P5262647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjSxaaUVwyVcy7A-0JvZjqwY-Wws8bS6HyT7WzB24I0VbPPtcm2EGngnGGg0Rz5edDnaet6CgiKgXi7OUu5kS6Ukm66X1RTsi0fn-cY2M5oqHdMG2q5xPctn6Zp4a3I6XCjv_NeAXM0be/s2048/P5272653-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjSxaaUVwyVcy7A-0JvZjqwY-Wws8bS6HyT7WzB24I0VbPPtcm2EGngnGGg0Rz5edDnaet6CgiKgXi7OUu5kS6Ukm66X1RTsi0fn-cY2M5oqHdMG2q5xPctn6Zp4a3I6XCjv_NeAXM0be/w640-h480/P5272653-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNncLMo8zJQfwWKMuxmn5qfTR-G_nZlY7kb0oTALCf3aihppC_wai14gvTjcph_0MdE2pbiJofKH0FHnotiLoDW0QtvpnR_agdmgshPcUduwLQzqHdwgOfAJyz5n4ntdn1DxF5TitWHpvm/s2048/s2XYGA9XSeS5vKuVUz80iw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNncLMo8zJQfwWKMuxmn5qfTR-G_nZlY7kb0oTALCf3aihppC_wai14gvTjcph_0MdE2pbiJofKH0FHnotiLoDW0QtvpnR_agdmgshPcUduwLQzqHdwgOfAJyz5n4ntdn1DxF5TitWHpvm/w640-h480/s2XYGA9XSeS5vKuVUz80iw.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbor of Tarbert. The manmade island in the middle of the harbour once held a large windlass, used to turn sailing ships around after loading with cargo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsPyTtf8DItpPnQ-U_cavWh-5Zw7HNSTHC1u4rWCUFnKcDJj0jSsxBU_LKt7d7nIMCSulu81S4rk3jes3eEu0-mlwAj1VMm0MkKBs99NWXM7Y6y7VayYEBosjempRKlP3falTggoRV1gP/s2048/DJI_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsPyTtf8DItpPnQ-U_cavWh-5Zw7HNSTHC1u4rWCUFnKcDJj0jSsxBU_LKt7d7nIMCSulu81S4rk3jes3eEu0-mlwAj1VMm0MkKBs99NWXM7Y6y7VayYEBosjempRKlP3falTggoRV1gP/w640-h426/DJI_0150.jpg" width="640" /></a></u></div><u><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><br /></b></u><p></p><p><u><b>Crinan Canal</b></u></p><p>We were headed for the Crinan Canal, a 9 mile / 15 lock waterway built in 1801, which opens up Western Scotland without needing to round the south end of the Mull of Kintyre. It saves many miles, and also presents a unique diversion, as we enjoyed 2 days of meandering around the Scottish countryside, often times way above the road below us. Nearly all of the locks are manually operated by the boat crews, though we were lucky enough to have help from a few of the canal staff along the way. We typically squeezed into the locks alongside Maunie, without much room to spare. Here are a few shots along the canal.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EcN86o5RBpqBfrRaD4bjhyphenhypheneUxYbarnJG0xZHqsdZFdPt8NR9C6MKOnqOvnlbfjCg1TYCTjIBy6bLLHMBnIP1T0WhDBSTJiJR8wZ1MQPvsFaHumUWv7l4fxjigt-exX7MXvYivWBDEMgB/s4032/IMG_3942.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EcN86o5RBpqBfrRaD4bjhyphenhypheneUxYbarnJG0xZHqsdZFdPt8NR9C6MKOnqOvnlbfjCg1TYCTjIBy6bLLHMBnIP1T0WhDBSTJiJR8wZ1MQPvsFaHumUWv7l4fxjigt-exX7MXvYivWBDEMgB/w640-h480/IMG_3942.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjhYJ5UvfB1fdavPHXDpieCYENzxJns9nGTZiyLpFgxg51Ckay07riInFx5g2HVoORUqZhnC0WnTU6V0ElEz8ohyDQ73JyEp6vTCVrOsnzu_gYBZEpcR3DhsPlUop1FpNfK5BbeGvx2Vv/s4032/IMG_3946.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjhYJ5UvfB1fdavPHXDpieCYENzxJns9nGTZiyLpFgxg51Ckay07riInFx5g2HVoORUqZhnC0WnTU6V0ElEz8ohyDQ73JyEp6vTCVrOsnzu_gYBZEpcR3DhsPlUop1FpNfK5BbeGvx2Vv/w640-h480/IMG_3946.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maunie enters the first lock</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCo76ZDf59PJJOYmMkgsVgMwYq98CdX0sCYjGeIL4V508ND7NrtWQRqRyWVw8O-jgMU3gqnefxiumus03Uo2bVLaqucrRGDypPC_KnCXKi3FlpxDVUcf4pMnwY-io5FJ1yDb1KK5EZO8y0/s4032/IMG_3962.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCo76ZDf59PJJOYmMkgsVgMwYq98CdX0sCYjGeIL4V508ND7NrtWQRqRyWVw8O-jgMU3gqnefxiumus03Uo2bVLaqucrRGDypPC_KnCXKi3FlpxDVUcf4pMnwY-io5FJ1yDb1KK5EZO8y0/w640-h480/IMG_3962.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike path runs along the entire canal.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYiKyEAXd8cesa76NflcywaSQzK_XqsEjci7pP-nlvBvQGk4tsP0k10DmPQdUl2PmDdlhf7IYnfCozuMlxzSmF6HmmVOoib_PWegCoINoGokjg49-L1uDBFHvLXXMiq5hNkoRjEDxkxkM/s4032/IMG_3975.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYiKyEAXd8cesa76NflcywaSQzK_XqsEjci7pP-nlvBvQGk4tsP0k10DmPQdUl2PmDdlhf7IYnfCozuMlxzSmF6HmmVOoib_PWegCoINoGokjg49-L1uDBFHvLXXMiq5hNkoRjEDxkxkM/w640-h480/IMG_3975.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairnbaan, where we tied up for the night.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn2h3nt-UR9k2QtPSkwPIVLVlh0qPf-w3zODvaZ-ImFG-pgq55k9UYLUifdkfcyLNRAqfS7TNaqMXpcKeA_Cfs-axkWB9n17TSBwVAy6EADQGQXiwst5HdgWYtTx1JzPjxwW8_6BVmNw3/s3469/IMG_3967.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2604" data-original-width="3469" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn2h3nt-UR9k2QtPSkwPIVLVlh0qPf-w3zODvaZ-ImFG-pgq55k9UYLUifdkfcyLNRAqfS7TNaqMXpcKeA_Cfs-axkWB9n17TSBwVAy6EADQGQXiwst5HdgWYtTx1JzPjxwW8_6BVmNw3/w640-h480/IMG_3967.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEKbi-A58dNYJec_lCHmkF72dGbL1YkbFZNGyWdsKV3ZKZmmIfh7clhMcve7WUvd_Snw30ag0YbNmULD_w3ChZJFikukzo4EBMIR99Jir56Fso2hubbMcCxkRTyovDWHCHwPRLuYFZgLw/s4032/IMG_3972.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEKbi-A58dNYJec_lCHmkF72dGbL1YkbFZNGyWdsKV3ZKZmmIfh7clhMcve7WUvd_Snw30ag0YbNmULD_w3ChZJFikukzo4EBMIR99Jir56Fso2hubbMcCxkRTyovDWHCHwPRLuYFZgLw/w640-h480/IMG_3972.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRm095A8R1hGoO5gLnOo8kNDxYbqyEUhyXNXx32zR9kT7PpRonRq587IZ1fBjPnnaE_g0mL3fw1i2Wkky9KN60bdDcO3gHFavhvdEBWeY3Eb-MklJa6XFhuelFI6Aa8n7F3xGeS29jAd1/s4032/IMG_3970.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRm095A8R1hGoO5gLnOo8kNDxYbqyEUhyXNXx32zR9kT7PpRonRq587IZ1fBjPnnaE_g0mL3fw1i2Wkky9KN60bdDcO3gHFavhvdEBWeY3Eb-MklJa6XFhuelFI6Aa8n7F3xGeS29jAd1/w400-h300/IMG_3970.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCHomymwXEWfw5b24FkwaFkTKXc-rnWkjFbE95wqXWYZfE9cwComUhpJGb5NBvPh6xF0gnsFW3S69FvhYBXvfboevUpfh2NDhUMkdLexXhK8mTfP_gY0lEldX9Nu_WhlHxUBX2OaMhhMX/s4032/IMG_3987.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCHomymwXEWfw5b24FkwaFkTKXc-rnWkjFbE95wqXWYZfE9cwComUhpJGb5NBvPh6xF0gnsFW3S69FvhYBXvfboevUpfh2NDhUMkdLexXhK8mTfP_gY0lEldX9Nu_WhlHxUBX2OaMhhMX/w640-h480/IMG_3987.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindi with Shea, our favorite lock tender!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GLKCUKSdmmNqoqvSf2FDssmT45UGB0uZ2GTXL1QjwQL7XITL4xR2wLQp3fSqvyOXCacLrFCJpOOjCh7sRBNpS5OM4QRJ_iuw-6Je5mwqi1Qq7J3Ktf6-_y-uz9PhyM0a-m6djetphbdE/s4032/IMG_3993.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GLKCUKSdmmNqoqvSf2FDssmT45UGB0uZ2GTXL1QjwQL7XITL4xR2wLQp3fSqvyOXCacLrFCJpOOjCh7sRBNpS5OM4QRJ_iuw-6Je5mwqi1Qq7J3Ktf6-_y-uz9PhyM0a-m6djetphbdE/w640-h480/IMG_3993.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjrH8nxpHrtWGu5OW4DrBKDzBcU_i9Z-C-HmdQrVCjM97-QOxDJLjm9v9dYgWK14o4vj7AvaLcaCpIKkDaQhvO8or52ywZAjZWCKhyTYSGIOYT8gGEPgQgKDsSZaXjD-nIzZ-f_pgLHHl/s4032/IMG_3994.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjrH8nxpHrtWGu5OW4DrBKDzBcU_i9Z-C-HmdQrVCjM97-QOxDJLjm9v9dYgWK14o4vj7AvaLcaCpIKkDaQhvO8or52ywZAjZWCKhyTYSGIOYT8gGEPgQgKDsSZaXjD-nIzZ-f_pgLHHl/w640-h480/IMG_3994.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeoZCIdyQlNMJeSq0tYFrCf3Xey7l_cU452CHXXnjR087HCnhGZ4EGlZyK4JHBBt6pEdpXxsNB0IokCZNvPdazMLpVCrJjjzMKwDDNWuBFRi47PgtpHRJjzRaw2NsRh5R_v2DFLA2I6I_/s4032/IMG_3996.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeoZCIdyQlNMJeSq0tYFrCf3Xey7l_cU452CHXXnjR087HCnhGZ4EGlZyK4JHBBt6pEdpXxsNB0IokCZNvPdazMLpVCrJjjzMKwDDNWuBFRi47PgtpHRJjzRaw2NsRh5R_v2DFLA2I6I_/w640-h480/IMG_3996.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfARqYksVFFBhar1UW2qMfFxY5gP8zcCEYhFCr3gDkgLACjFRocwGJqCpOlhRdTTmFcVhUcv-GIF6bCAW1ApoCZ5KTFLYk1moN-TpG8dUBHcmkWqkP5MEn6CZc3Ta8W7WAU6DoOYVCwS8/s4032/IMG_4003.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfARqYksVFFBhar1UW2qMfFxY5gP8zcCEYhFCr3gDkgLACjFRocwGJqCpOlhRdTTmFcVhUcv-GIF6bCAW1ApoCZ5KTFLYk1moN-TpG8dUBHcmkWqkP5MEn6CZc3Ta8W7WAU6DoOYVCwS8/w640-h480/IMG_4003.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the last of the Clyde Puffers, steam driven cargo boats which linked the Scottish Islands.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm1hcbRLvAtaAbfsEPeQT9HDCJklhOZt_mrgXGHToAlX8BNbBgDDv2JB2sq2p8LVAedP8OuimHQJsfPcgJ17kcDO0XYRkReYGxMMaH4OswYHEG9hayYYp-9tso620sIgZRJcGh_CgNQ1W/s2048/DJI_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm1hcbRLvAtaAbfsEPeQT9HDCJklhOZt_mrgXGHToAlX8BNbBgDDv2JB2sq2p8LVAedP8OuimHQJsfPcgJ17kcDO0XYRkReYGxMMaH4OswYHEG9hayYYp-9tso620sIgZRJcGh_CgNQ1W/w640-h426/DJI_0158.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpak0sIQ-szBBpwysieWSZ1zEy6OlDyFWJyiAcmkio9dKfERJI5JKu-XrMHIN6gySPga6gpC_dE8bt07kORDrsyUOeA0jCybWQlurvhPPuqW54VmkH14avVdLvcl0fgIprzWYWZGrW3LvC/s2048/P5292698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="2048" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpak0sIQ-szBBpwysieWSZ1zEy6OlDyFWJyiAcmkio9dKfERJI5JKu-XrMHIN6gySPga6gpC_dE8bt07kORDrsyUOeA0jCybWQlurvhPPuqW54VmkH14avVdLvcl0fgIprzWYWZGrW3LvC/w640-h384/P5292698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2kHNiDLzXiVi_Q0ij0giLXYxkldrpjNcUmeOaVi08n_OfI77sxuS7kPO4RD5pRE-jjoVqOBe9LWRfdH_ZJM6uzba-Vhovf4HfxsyPxt2jFUhkrPA0amY6nXHx8F6HGSqQUm4nAyG1J2u/s2048/P5292722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2kHNiDLzXiVi_Q0ij0giLXYxkldrpjNcUmeOaVi08n_OfI77sxuS7kPO4RD5pRE-jjoVqOBe9LWRfdH_ZJM6uzba-Vhovf4HfxsyPxt2jFUhkrPA0amY6nXHx8F6HGSqQUm4nAyG1J2u/w640-h480/P5292722.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjErz7Whu1X3qSvKbw3C7nU7tzdlIJBkeDj40DWk3_XEcOkCg7XmZ7vnCb6DSewfFPvPwP9-b5Q_azWTd3eF69ixAKeyU7VF-c5hIH6pzZHqE454HVVC76udZpZ3sm40CgtNEvaa3N7oE/s2048/P5292725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjErz7Whu1X3qSvKbw3C7nU7tzdlIJBkeDj40DWk3_XEcOkCg7XmZ7vnCb6DSewfFPvPwP9-b5Q_azWTd3eF69ixAKeyU7VF-c5hIH6pzZHqE454HVVC76udZpZ3sm40CgtNEvaa3N7oE/w640-h480/P5292725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After transiting the Canal, we continued to work our way north, enjoying the decent weather and great anchorages...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu_TFNFXMlxlucYvB8-Y91992QWa0WAcw_vyOwtZ3Wn33fQ3qkW1ahCQtzVXbelzU3xFNtfPsBogYvvDV34EFUQ9F8hp4u1mgRXpj6lak6L4AJUjs-708n4lbiWSxpdPTLXHVkvguSqhI/s3058/4g3WaDzwQ5W8728lys%252Bqtg.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="3058" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu_TFNFXMlxlucYvB8-Y91992QWa0WAcw_vyOwtZ3Wn33fQ3qkW1ahCQtzVXbelzU3xFNtfPsBogYvvDV34EFUQ9F8hp4u1mgRXpj6lak6L4AJUjs-708n4lbiWSxpdPTLXHVkvguSqhI/w640-h216/4g3WaDzwQ5W8728lys%252Bqtg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Puilladobhrain anchorage had a good hike to the "Bridge over the Atlantic"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIixxrnqFZ-MmYsUl7p-M1VXhQ_QlfjtEne2DBzOVSp6hyphenhyphen83oI0-OkHTM-vykUrDdrOtULMJf-MuowLZtgCegZwRFErXln26DKS7ppVblmPc-ACkrd2nUpie2EK9-selF1jNrUVVwvoyIt/s4032/IMG_4023.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIixxrnqFZ-MmYsUl7p-M1VXhQ_QlfjtEne2DBzOVSp6hyphenhyphen83oI0-OkHTM-vykUrDdrOtULMJf-MuowLZtgCegZwRFErXln26DKS7ppVblmPc-ACkrd2nUpie2EK9-selF1jNrUVVwvoyIt/w640-h480/IMG_4023.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglnHlfLmMMlFIHiijUm7wnKmSOx1SfPTU3XLK4XnvmwafLGvYBMQjxZkUFOWPYY59he85G4EwvdppeySwr6MYZzrrz2oQop3wxrRsXformGQlO_KPcPi4cF7_h5QRb7BcFlT93uIVD_Ls/s4032/IMG_4037.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglnHlfLmMMlFIHiijUm7wnKmSOx1SfPTU3XLK4XnvmwafLGvYBMQjxZkUFOWPYY59he85G4EwvdppeySwr6MYZzrrz2oQop3wxrRsXformGQlO_KPcPi4cF7_h5QRb7BcFlT93uIVD_Ls/w640-h480/IMG_4037.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchorage at Loch Na Droma Budhe (photo by Graham)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>And then we reached Tobermory, at the end of the Isle of Mull. With a nice little marina, we stopped here for a couple of days, to prepare for the Hebrides. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMsMxNF8gBfhGO_LKO9f8YBCVps_wB7F7N7pRPinXWhLmy9Rb1M4IqVKBwlYrU7E8fs4v7ElzfTgB2k1_O0h0-JZ6Hu7IlTegYwPa1z198TppqM2KqJvw6x2EhEoQ6OtPJ1cyaPAs-0KX/s2048/P6042799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="2048" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMsMxNF8gBfhGO_LKO9f8YBCVps_wB7F7N7pRPinXWhLmy9Rb1M4IqVKBwlYrU7E8fs4v7ElzfTgB2k1_O0h0-JZ6Hu7IlTegYwPa1z198TppqM2KqJvw6x2EhEoQ6OtPJ1cyaPAs-0KX/w640-h348/P6042799.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS4_psjwab9uMhB1OxmFCQgH8JUk-M_KIINH4YRGqVzRdhhCF_Btv9M-u-W8VkIP-qZAF81ifINpUKF6DvmP59VfpMXebjwscFrvOAr5y82itPgKh46MWs0-raBvOTXmbGJEiE19bBOf4/s2048/P6042830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="2048" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS4_psjwab9uMhB1OxmFCQgH8JUk-M_KIINH4YRGqVzRdhhCF_Btv9M-u-W8VkIP-qZAF81ifINpUKF6DvmP59VfpMXebjwscFrvOAr5y82itPgKh46MWs0-raBvOTXmbGJEiE19bBOf4/w400-h278/P6042830.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Our first Hebridean stop was the Isle of Canna, the westernmost island of the Small Isles archipelago of the Inner Hebrides. This little harbour turned out to be our favorite stop of the trip so far. With its old abandoned stone buildings, and pre-history dating back to the Bronze Age in approx 2000 BC, the island holds many secrets waiting to be discovered. Census numbers go back to the late 1500's, when approx 100 people lived here, rising to 436 in 1821. Donated in 1981 by it's owner and longtime residents John Lorne Campbell and his wife Margaret Fay Shaw to the National Trust of Scotland, today the island is home to only 15 or so folks, but is a wildlife sanctuary to over 20,000 breeding seabirds. It is sustainably farmed by the local residents, with 600 sheep and 50 cows. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vwg8VdeewPdwOFd1LuUmkeHN_yVTw35xMgzKFaxvG1iCvmxlHasYHa49Mszy04PXfGWRzSACes3HGI3_LMX4BdZW-6ZmiOs8AUSJkHewavb2sDu5o4kqc5c1EeCAIMloTHTlfbwhN_xD/s2048/P6042810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vwg8VdeewPdwOFd1LuUmkeHN_yVTw35xMgzKFaxvG1iCvmxlHasYHa49Mszy04PXfGWRzSACes3HGI3_LMX4BdZW-6ZmiOs8AUSJkHewavb2sDu5o4kqc5c1EeCAIMloTHTlfbwhN_xD/w640-h480/P6042810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNs0q8RmL_m6N9RB-p6CzyJ3UX5qBkH2XeYNr-aPXrhs6ZJS3ccKQ0ZZroOe8n9JFKGnZtxdlJBnBd4gMC8zwi60JzBjbkdgaPrvYlUC8G90DPSDBHcYpvkbnH9BaImehFiBDvmBigQ6Y/s4032/IMG_4080.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNs0q8RmL_m6N9RB-p6CzyJ3UX5qBkH2XeYNr-aPXrhs6ZJS3ccKQ0ZZroOe8n9JFKGnZtxdlJBnBd4gMC8zwi60JzBjbkdgaPrvYlUC8G90DPSDBHcYpvkbnH9BaImehFiBDvmBigQ6Y/w400-h300/IMG_4080.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>The residents also run the well stocked community store, which is open 24/7, and all transactions are by the honor system and the wifi is free! Lovely!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JjFXY1MReoYksUfaU_XdmfYN3wb50eSyt2oEM20QrBnDr7PDCBMfIPe5CTthGxIqT3VdARfU-Ej6fx1SJ9DksZ2LrDVkSDulgabsTTuYo9L9E4PRyEuWMSanLzzCNvT1YQBxOEFA7JW_/s4032/IMG_4081.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JjFXY1MReoYksUfaU_XdmfYN3wb50eSyt2oEM20QrBnDr7PDCBMfIPe5CTthGxIqT3VdARfU-Ej6fx1SJ9DksZ2LrDVkSDulgabsTTuYo9L9E4PRyEuWMSanLzzCNvT1YQBxOEFA7JW_/w400-h300/IMG_4081.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjN8nKTq-1ennyD-WL6FfMkXwqBsGY6eRKq5RdjlWfjMk6FmozXNotFx0R8EbH3ntza36U8TGY5FJQG7zDGNfYN7wabfqO3P0Q8V6CeYF7j9n5fY-Pwv0yPQM7TlxYhtt9mVn9e1fXvKLK/s2048/IMG_4059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjN8nKTq-1ennyD-WL6FfMkXwqBsGY6eRKq5RdjlWfjMk6FmozXNotFx0R8EbH3ntza36U8TGY5FJQG7zDGNfYN7wabfqO3P0Q8V6CeYF7j9n5fY-Pwv0yPQM7TlxYhtt9mVn9e1fXvKLK/w400-h300/IMG_4059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waitress assured us that we would not be disappointed...she was right!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">They also run a great little cafe serving local seafood. We arrived late in the afternoon, and were told apologetically that they could only seat us for dinner if we ordered a simple meal of langoustines (sort of a cross between a prawn and little lobster!). </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkK8cTucsDmndKpLi5r0bZlo2eNOltq1zRv3lpcx0WjIbPKO2lT7mav1qT7jVe3SojXL6XU8-YojzOdQGKiU9Y1fWOWIt0hqbbBNVtW8e4U_t-kls7bd_awNBVCQ4wuRnrdOi71rB4rUk/s2048/P6042828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkK8cTucsDmndKpLi5r0bZlo2eNOltq1zRv3lpcx0WjIbPKO2lT7mav1qT7jVe3SojXL6XU8-YojzOdQGKiU9Y1fWOWIt0hqbbBNVtW8e4U_t-kls7bd_awNBVCQ4wuRnrdOi71rB4rUk/w640-h480/P6042828.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho065Q9cAfSwYoTK0LT-qW6ZJgQUcm7rkMBNcq79RHV5qQWye-p4yT2s8qGxV99FrXfRBoDu1xUv4gHJk5oDvnQXxTP77x01EVnT6shyphenhyphenwz60acMqcoKzPh8ua677ZVCaaSyfao3RGzlkKI/s2048/P6052932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="2048" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho065Q9cAfSwYoTK0LT-qW6ZJgQUcm7rkMBNcq79RHV5qQWye-p4yT2s8qGxV99FrXfRBoDu1xUv4gHJk5oDvnQXxTP77x01EVnT6shyphenhyphenwz60acMqcoKzPh8ua677ZVCaaSyfao3RGzlkKI/w640-h350/P6052932.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oD8IP5EephmtWD4PnFe6uRwhUXBajGP_eY1gqIYL8mJBqIvEJkiPqZ9QXgkwSqecfgXuWT6iBMtvXWZjsAANiRNK_z_h7yb4HWm1qWT9fG2Eim2R_B156jZ37PZZfb0rtog4pdsTYrTw/s2048/P6052847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oD8IP5EephmtWD4PnFe6uRwhUXBajGP_eY1gqIYL8mJBqIvEJkiPqZ9QXgkwSqecfgXuWT6iBMtvXWZjsAANiRNK_z_h7yb4HWm1qWT9fG2Eim2R_B156jZ37PZZfb0rtog4pdsTYrTw/w400-h300/P6052847.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>While here we took a 2-mile walk out to the end of adjoining Sanday Island. We had heard that there might be puffins here, and who doesn't like puffins???!!!!! We followed the signs to the sea stack home of the little rascals, but arrived to find no puffins about. Ah well, it was a nice walk anyway.....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHjRlsrNZ7_6S4Gi_aPCOhG1C62lnK3EEG8uSHln2eTMGG7D92IMLJBvOOH4M739kRYeI_noLDFegcNuG5XE0NEFa0ksrqlIRCAMgShhzv7jilNH99TUMJXocFkcGKAJD_Wts_qri55Zq/s2048/P6052855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="2048" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHjRlsrNZ7_6S4Gi_aPCOhG1C62lnK3EEG8uSHln2eTMGG7D92IMLJBvOOH4M739kRYeI_noLDFegcNuG5XE0NEFa0ksrqlIRCAMgShhzv7jilNH99TUMJXocFkcGKAJD_Wts_qri55Zq/w640-h468/P6052855.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Zp7JIEqSvnpJHLDWv4_1jRa-6eJfN6uESpBqol-eGJ6RcKfzOHARlNg2IGEBj3utXR45qIn9p_jgFOfzEm9-MkHDtIRdFsr_xyA2WgbIryloTP9zreHRojDqnSZBzZafrMfTkrvQK4wA/s2048/P6052862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Zp7JIEqSvnpJHLDWv4_1jRa-6eJfN6uESpBqol-eGJ6RcKfzOHARlNg2IGEBj3utXR45qIn9p_jgFOfzEm9-MkHDtIRdFsr_xyA2WgbIryloTP9zreHRojDqnSZBzZafrMfTkrvQK4wA/s320/P6052862.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>All of a sudden, the sky filled with hundreds of incoming puffins!!! They flew in circles around us and their sea stack immediately off shore, and then began to land and get into their burrows. We stayed for an hour or so, until the threat of impending rain forced us back to the boats. Great stuff!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MN1tUBrRCABb-x7SJL7c0wVVZqCkBo6jcgX5UiVha9hvDfZ1AXFvT_fFI5izZ3N_SOY2l-gNM6kiqIwVLLkCyRRU5xps1vuG2DrmFK8XkNs-QNPY1VitHeAtAfYfAqz-XWCzNnhb_4cg/s2048/P6052889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1430" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MN1tUBrRCABb-x7SJL7c0wVVZqCkBo6jcgX5UiVha9hvDfZ1AXFvT_fFI5izZ3N_SOY2l-gNM6kiqIwVLLkCyRRU5xps1vuG2DrmFK8XkNs-QNPY1VitHeAtAfYfAqz-XWCzNnhb_4cg/w446-h640/P6052889.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little critters could be surprisingly acrobatic!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspMMZJvUNmzVX-46g1wqnYRpbqlS9nB6dwdDrHvHUBemoJ24NNyqRlAmECSHvRBUTF6xumcfyUfkORDF4ZJ8vMpK6vjsku1Itc2sPvH79wtSH4dyYwGqmlayl_Xz23h9dYfF6qSOCrRW0/s2048/P6052897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspMMZJvUNmzVX-46g1wqnYRpbqlS9nB6dwdDrHvHUBemoJ24NNyqRlAmECSHvRBUTF6xumcfyUfkORDF4ZJ8vMpK6vjsku1Itc2sPvH79wtSH4dyYwGqmlayl_Xz23h9dYfF6qSOCrRW0/w640-h480/P6052897.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRuVGfyYma00eoQPI_jdx6F3tpE05Yfxn0IzikFzjhFs2Ff5enKmfmSvm3KJvU4cT35cyto1ljQKn94xcLu9zZh0B2YCc-ZRNM1O0IMKUNPIzNVAntIA3Kc8LLc043uYUGh7VYfDx3To_/s2048/P6052869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="2048" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRuVGfyYma00eoQPI_jdx6F3tpE05Yfxn0IzikFzjhFs2Ff5enKmfmSvm3KJvU4cT35cyto1ljQKn94xcLu9zZh0B2YCc-ZRNM1O0IMKUNPIzNVAntIA3Kc8LLc043uYUGh7VYfDx3To_/w640-h444/P6052869.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ppPuU_5ikUCxO6UMPtrDjrT9-0FhDu6hKKYmqRaq7rMOje8OiSBOcm0F2NgJcB8NaEUoQeJoL-Zsbqht_TKci2Ufx31nVK-GsKy6p_A3DWpLxRhhKy8AJui3EOnM7zhaJ-XEcUBhlKVj/s2048/P6052895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="2048" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ppPuU_5ikUCxO6UMPtrDjrT9-0FhDu6hKKYmqRaq7rMOje8OiSBOcm0F2NgJcB8NaEUoQeJoL-Zsbqht_TKci2Ufx31nVK-GsKy6p_A3DWpLxRhhKy8AJui3EOnM7zhaJ-XEcUBhlKVj/w640-h394/P6052895.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kRa3FGNh0rGxRCAIOJ0_k5EMq_vdPOEl_-r4azQqDO3XKX4kumyuaVGDAed5syMiftul2otVQdnbjmgCbG3sQf_r0lgFFYOwHc0UQ3jrIMldFx5dHNo4gx1X_e6tHgXXTclwxgh2y_3V/s2048/P6052900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kRa3FGNh0rGxRCAIOJ0_k5EMq_vdPOEl_-r4azQqDO3XKX4kumyuaVGDAed5syMiftul2otVQdnbjmgCbG3sQf_r0lgFFYOwHc0UQ3jrIMldFx5dHNo4gx1X_e6tHgXXTclwxgh2y_3V/w640-h456/P6052900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWQp7R2xZaHn2IJZ-wFiEv6j35qIyFoHyQSmlBon47GE2pB5GZD7UUH-iA60xCbFNMF6Vu3210mmdV8jBvvK7WuQhPW9Ex_-_497-lrmaIAIyOa-l0q49DQjh-38yBo7MgT7zkbAy7y6t/s2048/IMG_4086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2048" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWQp7R2xZaHn2IJZ-wFiEv6j35qIyFoHyQSmlBon47GE2pB5GZD7UUH-iA60xCbFNMF6Vu3210mmdV8jBvvK7WuQhPW9Ex_-_497-lrmaIAIyOa-l0q49DQjh-38yBo7MgT7zkbAy7y6t/w400-h264/IMG_4086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After Canna, we sailed across the Hebridean Sea to Lochboisdale, on South Uist Island in the Outer Hebrides. Although not the most attractive harbour in the world, the little port is a natural base to begin to explore these outer, remote Scottish islands. It was here that we had to turn back though. Our 6 month UK visas will soon expire, and we need to get Bravo into a safe marina to fly out. Sadly we said our goodbyes to our good friends Graham and Dianne, who will continue to explore the Outer Hebrides for a while, and pointed our bow back to Canna and then Tobermory, where we are at this point. Tomorrow we will head toward Ardfern Marina, near Oban, where we will park Bravo for about 3 weeks.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b>The Plan</b></u></div><div><u><b><br /></b></u></div><div>Our lives these days have taken on a whole new definition of stress, due to the Covid pandemic. Even though we are fully vaccinated, more and more countries are closing to travelers, and it feels like a game of musical chairs, as we scurry to grab a chair before the music stops. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had hoped to sail to Norway and Svalbard this summer, but it is closed. The Faeroe islands have just closed to visitors from the UK, due to the "Delta Variant" of the virus. We need to bring Bravo back to France in September for some final work, but it also is now closed to travelers from the UK. We hope it will open for us by then. At this point, the UK is open to only 1 European country without needing to quarantine on entry in a "quarantine hotel"......that is Iceland. So, in order to leave the UK as required, before our visas expire, and still hopefully be able to return, we now plan to fly to Iceland for a few weeks. We will rent a 4x4 truck camper to go exploring. However, there is no guarantee that we will be allowed to return to the UK, as there is no formal way to extend our visas, or even request a hearing and ruling in advance. We have been informed by the Border Force that it is apparently up to the individual immigration officer to decide that a traveler is not trying to do an end run around the laws prohibiting illegal residency. We obviously do not plan on residing here after we head to France in September, so we HOPE that we will be able to get only about 6 extra weeks here when we return from Iceland. If not, we'll be quite screwed, and we will need to get Bravo hauled out and stored here until the summer of next year, while we rent a house somewhere back in the US for the interim. Very stressful times indeed. Stay tuned.......</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgis20xGNOgpLaG1h_mDv_dJXl3CfW7_6JiShobKT1OnxUQDxqCMkdcP4jo0BSuuAGcKmDcJjqWknIOwosNQdBdMDikqQRzKRk9j8XPnsh_h-tu8G1rnEw5YDD63z2XlnNolmKCeOH7JO-r/s2048/P6052947-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgis20xGNOgpLaG1h_mDv_dJXl3CfW7_6JiShobKT1OnxUQDxqCMkdcP4jo0BSuuAGcKmDcJjqWknIOwosNQdBdMDikqQRzKRk9j8XPnsh_h-tu8G1rnEw5YDD63z2XlnNolmKCeOH7JO-r/w640-h428/P6052947-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-22159242981065455822021-06-07T03:51:00.000+12:002021-06-07T03:51:15.368+12:00England in Days of Covid...Life on the River Dart<p> Here is the Spark Post of our life in Dartmouth for 4 months of Covid lockdown...a beautiful part of England, to be sure!</p><p><br /></p><p>Copy and paste this link to get to the post.....</p><p><br /></p><p>https://spark.adobe.com/page/iTcfcToSY7RYv/?w=1_919&fbclid=IwAR1JpyWe-SVUCyPLkVKBmn26u_-Xlv0prBPBBrwpmzXTr7M4VAbsF1Q4tAk</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-69862912497750153452020-12-21T02:57:00.000+13:002020-12-21T02:57:20.907+13:00Fairwell to Brittany!<p> BRAVO is finished at last. We are provisioned with food and fuel, and in final preparations to cross to the UK, just in time for Brexit!!! What gluttons for punishment!!!</p><p>Here are some final thoughts and photographs of our last couple of months in France. Most of this was while BRAVO was hauled out for a gearbox replacement, which gave us time to explore the coast by land.</p><p>Cheers and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.....won't it be a relief to have the shit show known as 2020 fade in the rear view mirror!!!</p><p>This post is in Adobe Spark.....hopefully it loads ok. Please let us know if you have difficulties with the format.</p><p><a href="https://spark.adobe.com/page/JFMcWwfHwEa6P/" target="_blank">Fairwell to Brittany</a></p><p>https://spark.adobe.com/page/JFMcWwfHwEa6P/</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-32285267288528360892020-10-10T23:35:00.002+13:002020-10-10T23:35:53.514+13:00Cruising in France continues...<div class="separator"><br /></div><div><u><b>EXPLORING THE NORTHERN FRENCH COAST</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>Over the past several months, we've continued to base ourselves out of Treguier, BRAVO's birthplace, and an area of which we've grown quite fond. It makes a good base to explore the region, and given the realities of visa restrictions (Schengen, British, and French long-stay visas are all in play), Covid restrictions, especially with our American (aka North Korean!!!) passports, and remaining boat bits to be finished by Boreal, we've settled into life in Treguier.</div><div><br /></div><div>Work on BRAVO is nearly complete, with just a few items remaining on the warranty list. We'll be hauling out next week for Volvo to remove and rebuild the gearbox, which has been giving us problems going into forward gear. Hopefully that will just take one week. A few last bits of sail work and miscellaneous other repairs and we should be good to go, as we prepare to head to the UK in late November. (We'll have to quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Dartmouth, which will be our home for the winter at the town quay. The nice harbormaster there has offered to bring us groceries to the quarantine mooring if we need it!!!).</div><div><br /></div><div>Note that this post is a bit long, but it includes lots of photos, so hopefully it goes quickly. If not, well, what else are we doing in these Covid days???</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQS3FK1GvvoNkNubsCz2ZQL22dh55beg7FViGoCZGli-fxHTPArj4f0jFx6rxCJtluEfdei3xtedpRHa1M1lCX36sUNWH4Z4P1x6zN3Vib5LovQOA0zFUWjyOU8o6BjECrPjgzPtTHeJw/s4032/IMG_3020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQS3FK1GvvoNkNubsCz2ZQL22dh55beg7FViGoCZGli-fxHTPArj4f0jFx6rxCJtluEfdei3xtedpRHa1M1lCX36sUNWH4Z4P1x6zN3Vib5LovQOA0zFUWjyOU8o6BjECrPjgzPtTHeJw/s320/IMG_3020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We've managed a few coastal cruises this summer, of one to two weeks. All told, we've sailed a bit over 1100 nautical miles. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few spots we've tucked into...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u>PAIMPOL:</u> </div><div>Paimpol is a sweet Breton village, just around the corner from Treguier as the crow flies, but better than 1/2 day away depending on the tides. It is also at the end of a channel which dries at low tides, and access is via a lock, only reachable within 2 hours each side of high water. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was exiting the lock that we learned an ESSENTIAL lesson of maneuvering a centerboard boat.....with the board fully retracted in the UP position, they don't respond to the wheel worth a damn!!! So, with our board up due to anxiety about depth in the lock (unfounded fear, as it turned out), when the inner gate opened to the little fishing village, we motored through with the concrete wall on our port (left) side, scraping our brand new rear corner for what seemed an eternity until we could get enough steerage to move away from the wall. I'm sure it provided plenty of excitement to the locals and tourists who see locking boats as a major spectator event. Ughhhhh.....Happily little damage was done except to our egos and a torn BBQ cover which Cindi had sewn the week before. Lesson learned! (Oh, the joys of a metal boat!!! If this had been the teak rail and fiberglass topsides of old BRAVO, it could have been ugly!!!)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNs2M1RgPAr2TKno79S7HTt6buJ73waI8LB7_jSHTYSvKJMFRXOWtAYHWZaKtJOhsV994q3nEoUQiQMTBIJmBc894A1-vBsQ8a3mY2XztB0fYHT8-sOAAw7agjDZK4c7aQ06Jx6OlyQXzG/s1920/Port-Paimpol-dalmard-annees-20.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1920" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNs2M1RgPAr2TKno79S7HTt6buJ73waI8LB7_jSHTYSvKJMFRXOWtAYHWZaKtJOhsV994q3nEoUQiQMTBIJmBc894A1-vBsQ8a3mY2XztB0fYHT8-sOAAw7agjDZK4c7aQ06Jx6OlyQXzG/w400-h254/Port-Paimpol-dalmard-annees-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Paimpol is a pretty, traditional Breton fishing village, dating back to medieval times, which served as a major port for the Iceland and Newfoundland cod fishing fleet. Looking out at the harbor, it was easy to imagine the port packed with fishing schooners, preparing for their long voyages, or returning home after months at sea.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The port is still a hub for local fishermen, and we enjoyed several days hiking and riding bikes to explore the area. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGh91zgJ2Nw-_tR9CQzkn7s2tlm5iyfvD3ssVDgyNU3RbjQhh_bRNO1E6MN7mxPWY22NX6JJ8XFdmNY8MYhwHtWUNF8Dp2yCMv5sKaUrhDxmpXhnqHhyNIE55WqpEsXEV-cLAXBOl2A21/s2048/fullsizeoutput_59d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGh91zgJ2Nw-_tR9CQzkn7s2tlm5iyfvD3ssVDgyNU3RbjQhh_bRNO1E6MN7mxPWY22NX6JJ8XFdmNY8MYhwHtWUNF8Dp2yCMv5sKaUrhDxmpXhnqHhyNIE55WqpEsXEV-cLAXBOl2A21/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_59d.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The large tidal flats make it a major mussel and oyster farming area, and we enjoyed the sidewalk cafes around the harbor.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBv8qpVJcdNcBuF2oUZwz2q-uCD30mjpqhZTESoEPTAeXwnpL5PQ1duJ2uO2K3DsA8RLqD6lDiJNJe4-SaXXtNQFCpZGNfdcBi8odVuq7KQcNB_h74o-Q-nsbXPKbQhWiKyCh7L2_V7JN/s2048/IMG_2929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBv8qpVJcdNcBuF2oUZwz2q-uCD30mjpqhZTESoEPTAeXwnpL5PQ1duJ2uO2K3DsA8RLqD6lDiJNJe4-SaXXtNQFCpZGNfdcBi8odVuq7KQcNB_h74o-Q-nsbXPKbQhWiKyCh7L2_V7JN/w640-h436/IMG_2929.jpg" title="Boats drying out just outside of Paimpol entrance" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">Boats drying out at the entrance to Paimpol</div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUcymBQ1iYqmZ658HQKE-eXz1C9rzJNKCD6nfioWAMttToSrbWDkKF3M-1M-P1w8_qX5Ycz3QrxC75aaM0V0inatI6vjcb1QIT7Q0uGtdSQM8-z9f2_47BabfUgG4TXpisgiYmm09O1z3/s2048/P7061187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="BRAVO at the pier in Paimpol" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUcymBQ1iYqmZ658HQKE-eXz1C9rzJNKCD6nfioWAMttToSrbWDkKF3M-1M-P1w8_qX5Ycz3QrxC75aaM0V0inatI6vjcb1QIT7Q0uGtdSQM8-z9f2_47BabfUgG4TXpisgiYmm09O1z3/w480-h640/P7061187.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bravo at the pier in Paimpol</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSaxH6XYY4kAgrckUz77F3i6cM9SKd9MgWcj6zbCF-sljhbavujMWyefWPqHrG-anQmEnibPOgwLi_IydMAGuBq1BDOukVM2LOlw6l75KnEJBig61Ena5iP-D5gTGp5CMyhaAKX-m0oEe/s2048/P7061210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1645" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSaxH6XYY4kAgrckUz77F3i6cM9SKd9MgWcj6zbCF-sljhbavujMWyefWPqHrG-anQmEnibPOgwLi_IydMAGuBq1BDOukVM2LOlw6l75KnEJBig61Ena5iP-D5gTGp5CMyhaAKX-m0oEe/w514-h640/P7061210.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsOA_0j30wwRucFk5RCoF0Dj_sDb_giS1Morp0flg7cwvN1jEiBrroK-52r-pgdGtJ2qTUeDAfc56Gn7249XjOKnqf-51oHnM8HHChklD5TrES_jjTBPfPg3EpiEU-Fa00eifiNjKeUGo/s2048/P7061216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="2048" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsOA_0j30wwRucFk5RCoF0Dj_sDb_giS1Morp0flg7cwvN1jEiBrroK-52r-pgdGtJ2qTUeDAfc56Gn7249XjOKnqf-51oHnM8HHChklD5TrES_jjTBPfPg3EpiEU-Fa00eifiNjKeUGo/w640-h528/P7061216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L3xKh8WEsU4UIiAAqQWrHl_PVOleNK5YjqHp1TUZgx2ykScB_xZSQ4GncwR_ga0bMBm1w-GMUnrQKebw4fX647pcMOTtuKJbiu_8UKGChhpVOx19UOYQwvP5VQikzZcxAdMQgwgEdXeV/s2048/P7061217-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L3xKh8WEsU4UIiAAqQWrHl_PVOleNK5YjqHp1TUZgx2ykScB_xZSQ4GncwR_ga0bMBm1w-GMUnrQKebw4fX647pcMOTtuKJbiu_8UKGChhpVOx19UOYQwvP5VQikzZcxAdMQgwgEdXeV/w640-h480/P7061217-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b>ST. MALO:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">St. Malo was another interesting stop on the Brittany coast with a fascinating history. The walled city, founded by the Gauls in the 1st century BC, has been the fortified home to hundreds of years of privateers, corsairs, and pirates. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="PRIVATEERING — THE BUSINESS OF PIRACY: PART 1 – Corsairs & Captives" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" height="468" jsaction="load:XAeZkd;" jsname="HiaYvf" src="https://corsairsandcaptivesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Dutch-privateer-ship-1-copy.jpg" style="height: 228.00000000000003px; margin: 0px; width: 312.1066666666667px;" width="640" /> The walls protected the city from raiders from the sea, while the inner harbor gave safe quarter to the ships of the privateers living within.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcHc0XK2p9utXCG9gEqB9AZnKoq4kShNUdT25GDDsvo5RrI15dMP3V2Lu59quDZxbJCZqvPjiEKI1Qftp3B3KMoHYvb2xmQNWz24DhfuLIYZeo8OEKB_GTAJyimHAgIACnRJ6UiSdI0pC/s2048/P7311308-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcHc0XK2p9utXCG9gEqB9AZnKoq4kShNUdT25GDDsvo5RrI15dMP3V2Lu59quDZxbJCZqvPjiEKI1Qftp3B3KMoHYvb2xmQNWz24DhfuLIYZeo8OEKB_GTAJyimHAgIACnRJ6UiSdI0pC/w640-h480/P7311308-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kWOLC2MstyFSKQOaoDqytjOoRMVusx2qAPj0yI75Rt9ZfktoJoA1NpIl6fKyk_6Z248fbo6i7bDESXuHMMMFMNRbnkX1AJu9mRUBZ233UE2CNnEovLhm5z17vznMLM47ltXOTN8XQl2G/s2048/P7311309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="2048" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kWOLC2MstyFSKQOaoDqytjOoRMVusx2qAPj0yI75Rt9ZfktoJoA1NpIl6fKyk_6Z248fbo6i7bDESXuHMMMFMNRbnkX1AJu9mRUBZ233UE2CNnEovLhm5z17vznMLM47ltXOTN8XQl2G/w640-h492/P7311309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpsgqGOsbzQDT97xeZxaT6p_mrtVBJl0pg_kpk_68zTnE4g12EUsMCU9rILSJvck_Thx-v7YHDMx86rDLCyOAg0WBDFFpF7c0cRaU0mEUYXEk2Ec8TjYOZv6ObfaagRWInVvAEoqCVDkW/s2048/P7281261-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpsgqGOsbzQDT97xeZxaT6p_mrtVBJl0pg_kpk_68zTnE4g12EUsMCU9rILSJvck_Thx-v7YHDMx86rDLCyOAg0WBDFFpF7c0cRaU0mEUYXEk2Ec8TjYOZv6ObfaagRWInVvAEoqCVDkW/w480-h640/P7281261-Edit.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>These walls still stand today. During WW II, Nazi soldiers occupied St. Malo. As the allied forces pushed to liberate France, they repeatedly attacked and bombed the city, destroying many of the old buildings thought to house enemy forces. After the war, the city was rebuilt, with the reconstruction successfully capturing much of the sense of history of the city.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" class="thumbimage" data-file-height="821" data-file-width="1200" decoding="async" height="451" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/St_Malo%2C_Ville_Close.jpg/220px-St_Malo%2C_Ville_Close.jpg" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/St_Malo%2C_Ville_Close.jpg/330px-St_Malo%2C_Ville_Close.jpg 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/St_Malo%2C_Ville_Close.jpg/440px-St_Malo%2C_Ville_Close.jpg 2x" width="659" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St. Malo, painted c. 1900 by Emil Krause</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYN0DaHiKZu0-PIgjAYyV2WAv0tsHCQZBlXsYid_lJ6wfb4C3MDm7mVXxeu5YSE_5rO_r_jGMkG1SaP4mI1YLAGTMcBUkdOJzjJWKQpV5gHJEdk2-LJ6SMXKkkhWpB-hDONWOtyscXIgdt/s2048/IMG_2912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="2048" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYN0DaHiKZu0-PIgjAYyV2WAv0tsHCQZBlXsYid_lJ6wfb4C3MDm7mVXxeu5YSE_5rO_r_jGMkG1SaP4mI1YLAGTMcBUkdOJzjJWKQpV5gHJEdk2-LJ6SMXKkkhWpB-hDONWOtyscXIgdt/w640-h322/IMG_2912.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Entering the inner basin after passing through the lock. (photo from close to the same location as painting above)</div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cNUGGgUDNTYb_kMD0PhckhVuZRsloT9Sg2feHe-8jBM-lWIrdtAA9pRlFRe6id1WL_feX7Wu3uJG-HfS7v8r8oRXOJXtqmb0znGTg2cLDgMQOD69slfPITPpd_dnshYX1iI-VMHGR9An/s2048/P7311338-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cNUGGgUDNTYb_kMD0PhckhVuZRsloT9Sg2feHe-8jBM-lWIrdtAA9pRlFRe6id1WL_feX7Wu3uJG-HfS7v8r8oRXOJXtqmb0znGTg2cLDgMQOD69slfPITPpd_dnshYX1iI-VMHGR9An/w640-h480/P7311338-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bravo is in the middle of this pic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Le Maxi Trimaran Solo Banque Populaire VII" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" jsaction="load:XAeZkd;" jsname="HiaYvf" src="https://media.bateaux.com/src/images/news/articles/ima-image-18915.jpg" style="height: 401.63969465648853px; margin: 0px; width: 602px;" /></div><div>French sailors are some of the best racers on the planet, especially when it comes to single handed ocean racing. St. Malo is the start of the Route du Rhum, a single handed trans Atlantic race from France to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkZlhxOeHpJr3nMY5axjnYyalia1fXmq3YNFrbxF9joM4yRD8s8BZvPM8TI8nDnUYpML26kO_vnvwk8U5idJERIEcUVel1456L8YvE55ocBU3vhUnMKwdJshryjYutHzNW3kW2li_5G36/s2048/P7291292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1881" data-original-width="2048" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkZlhxOeHpJr3nMY5axjnYyalia1fXmq3YNFrbxF9joM4yRD8s8BZvPM8TI8nDnUYpML26kO_vnvwk8U5idJERIEcUVel1456L8YvE55ocBU3vhUnMKwdJshryjYutHzNW3kW2li_5G36/w400-h368/P7291292.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The race attracts some of the worlds best, and the winners are permanently commemorated in bronze plaques, set as pavers into the sidewalk around the marina. Here, for example, are the handprints of famous Loik Peyron, who won the 2014 event in 7 days, 15 hours on maxi trimaran Banque Popular VII.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="Banque Populaire VII sets new solo 24hr record distance of 677nm" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" jsaction="load:XAeZkd;" jsname="HiaYvf" src="https://www.sail-world.com/photos/sailworld/Photos_2014/Large_34be1d6943f742789d0730a4aa93654e%201.JPG" style="height: 400.94140625px; margin: 0px; width: 602px;" /></div><div>YEE-HAH!!! Must be a handful in a big blow on an inky night passage, especially single handed!!! Here is BP setting a 24-hour solo record of 677 miles, in 2014! With Armel Le Cleac'h aboard, she averaged over 28 knots!!! (Current solo record, by Francois Gabart, also on a trimaran, MACIF, is 850 nm, set in 2018, average speed of over 35 knots!!!)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The St. Malo marina itself is fun to stroll, looking for past and present ocean race boats lying to pontoons and in boatyards all around the area. These are boats that you just don't see in every marina! Here is some of the local boat porn:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtW2HfxNC-oAo_LjhR470RU7lIUjfo0YHqBjXTv83adTfsaI9GqGVYj9xocskxG8To2i50ObSj623hC-s2HP6Hf3nmfIyY_bjVNZaBgBq5prQnI0m-KiL2mYPe1fmUCC9UhMfCNfyYNak/s2048/IMG_2866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtW2HfxNC-oAo_LjhR470RU7lIUjfo0YHqBjXTv83adTfsaI9GqGVYj9xocskxG8To2i50ObSj623hC-s2HP6Hf3nmfIyY_bjVNZaBgBq5prQnI0m-KiL2mYPe1fmUCC9UhMfCNfyYNak/w640-h480/IMG_2866.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Kriter V is a legend, first racing in the Route du Rhum in 1978, where she came in 2nd, she is still ocean racing today after a major refit a couple of years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0TXZUJ4GuQ4y9m3CHntrBVel9ivz6Bt_sK9iS6A65rBjcFH3V3GBV0GYS2agh4Yx1GLbJsT5YCJMOV5PCVfyp4OIyGspppoPzX07rUAJD3B2v2367YWJhIQphnsgB4Cldss8H_rcZrx_/s2580/IMG_2868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="2580" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0TXZUJ4GuQ4y9m3CHntrBVel9ivz6Bt_sK9iS6A65rBjcFH3V3GBV0GYS2agh4Yx1GLbJsT5YCJMOV5PCVfyp4OIyGspppoPzX07rUAJD3B2v2367YWJhIQphnsgB4Cldss8H_rcZrx_/w640-h302/IMG_2868.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaBHGm70fzbYBA2928caiSWKuTDcgo5aHa3g0z3HuitOQWC5_xuoEjdp9mwZk8UGcSRRUr_kV9f53QnFu49Z2g2kE30gR7qw3jvjGi_38OTYifH92g-EPAF89hxFlga_jsYdGiqle9hOh/s2048/IMG_2872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1834" data-original-width="2048" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaBHGm70fzbYBA2928caiSWKuTDcgo5aHa3g0z3HuitOQWC5_xuoEjdp9mwZk8UGcSRRUr_kV9f53QnFu49Z2g2kE30gR7qw3jvjGi_38OTYifH92g-EPAF89hxFlga_jsYdGiqle9hOh/w640-h574/IMG_2872.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhNZgkSkESEoiZduOoBYSUXq1GabaGnFENml3uqbWK_VOC5xDutMEE1HZh39U5phQ3WV7uloQ-UViwkQDM5-dBy-e6peG4IE3kHF4ADCjb5B6_AqSG5yza0XxtqRpomntHHiMUUNkP4b0/s2048/IMG_2876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="2048" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhNZgkSkESEoiZduOoBYSUXq1GabaGnFENml3uqbWK_VOC5xDutMEE1HZh39U5phQ3WV7uloQ-UViwkQDM5-dBy-e6peG4IE3kHF4ADCjb5B6_AqSG5yza0XxtqRpomntHHiMUUNkP4b0/w640-h364/IMG_2876.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcet5sV7OLsYy-sgREduuj8eek8nw-Hg01KeY4WvehmisqUGjPSDppd8dqjKD998q1zRmXu2DWaX695ece0sEScpSs-fxoKB100VR5j0eHaRop6yF_R2AKNonje_XgmTCEppY6WbzvMgX2/s2048/IMG_2882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcet5sV7OLsYy-sgREduuj8eek8nw-Hg01KeY4WvehmisqUGjPSDppd8dqjKD998q1zRmXu2DWaX695ece0sEScpSs-fxoKB100VR5j0eHaRop6yF_R2AKNonje_XgmTCEppY6WbzvMgX2/w640-h480/IMG_2882.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Perfect single handed cockpit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXG5RI5gr1wlAwpFXyqfl4IUKtMRlYwFZu0BthZjvwSeHZ8MBb06r6D0fVztWE3NfF5WCvhL-6SI2WapFe-j26bVTBGyEd_s-Phm1q8pEdD8si4NU7nJdW1KOF2WqpFcHcp7c0XQ6nzu-e/s2048/P7291274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="2048" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXG5RI5gr1wlAwpFXyqfl4IUKtMRlYwFZu0BthZjvwSeHZ8MBb06r6D0fVztWE3NfF5WCvhL-6SI2WapFe-j26bVTBGyEd_s-Phm1q8pEdD8si4NU7nJdW1KOF2WqpFcHcp7c0XQ6nzu-e/w640-h420/P7291274.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pZfCMVNKhzxd-9O2LWjRmpwwNhOIGjZfgcqPBNlCBtWlAG1EqfeaCtF6goiLEv1kPniqOy_5Hj-B5mC-4JoPscboc4nEtYL_63FhBXifUXMoJSEji-NNvZAx7yFqkvkqWT1D16C7vqB5/s2048/P7291287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pZfCMVNKhzxd-9O2LWjRmpwwNhOIGjZfgcqPBNlCBtWlAG1EqfeaCtF6goiLEv1kPniqOy_5Hj-B5mC-4JoPscboc4nEtYL_63FhBXifUXMoJSEji-NNvZAx7yFqkvkqWT1D16C7vqB5/w640-h480/P7291287.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX29l1DQGdt6QZi2WidvzPxsmLaJSZ9mol-XaBNpHmngvQ5P7EmZUPTcrU14bFZLgiHa5pL93gJE91xsqAFrJ4IRpTeFuQaUulT2_6_b4B5ct4BpZizM89YYRsr8PU4g_0yigpROIYK0Fr/s2048/P7291291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX29l1DQGdt6QZi2WidvzPxsmLaJSZ9mol-XaBNpHmngvQ5P7EmZUPTcrU14bFZLgiHa5pL93gJE91xsqAFrJ4IRpTeFuQaUulT2_6_b4B5ct4BpZizM89YYRsr8PU4g_0yigpROIYK0Fr/w640-h480/P7291291.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkWEGnIZBQ-1-Qz_djpEOnZBsJNfEwNPx73XNY60cR3y1DpNPjMHmVbtOhQWXETzQiNhML8emO4S7lpwm8JltCQzIHlRzavKkOHeOr8A6bPB4bK1_9HIpZlvuZFZhCe_ZfjgQljWy9z54/s2048/IMG_2915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkWEGnIZBQ-1-Qz_djpEOnZBsJNfEwNPx73XNY60cR3y1DpNPjMHmVbtOhQWXETzQiNhML8emO4S7lpwm8JltCQzIHlRzavKkOHeOr8A6bPB4bK1_9HIpZlvuZFZhCe_ZfjgQljWy9z54/w480-h640/IMG_2915.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Cindi chatting with the lock tenders as we exit the lock of St. Malo.<div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Iles de Chaussy:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This little archipelago sits nestled in the corner of the Bay of St. Malo. Though it feels very remote, it's proximity to Jersey (in the Channel Islands), Granville and St. Malo makes it a popular boating destination.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NrSMZ-47g-bYxIeI_5JAOZARbGWUv3EIPTyPgwoLV-3xVP5RTzz9qPz3AL8BnK8oHyXeLZ7JBQgqlfdMHMk7Ffa72Zit7zsDFXZZ_5UkPIPXN6rRRde-Pectx_xeU1uM5xcH8jzki6Tk/s2048/DJI_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="2048" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NrSMZ-47g-bYxIeI_5JAOZARbGWUv3EIPTyPgwoLV-3xVP5RTzz9qPz3AL8BnK8oHyXeLZ7JBQgqlfdMHMk7Ffa72Zit7zsDFXZZ_5UkPIPXN6rRRde-Pectx_xeU1uM5xcH8jzki6Tk/w640-h364/DJI_0083.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0mygsRehIoA-ps0gC_hoap4KUyrL7IuI3zYui-hAW8KYqYNMvzMoWgqMB6ZJ-0GZtyINFPYXeOeeioh3Em23QRVhUGRZecxNJ0h6ZOJ3UiJCFWSX80p5oCNTMx8JZM-3KXqnX2Hxm2uS/s2048/DJI_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="2048" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0mygsRehIoA-ps0gC_hoap4KUyrL7IuI3zYui-hAW8KYqYNMvzMoWgqMB6ZJ-0GZtyINFPYXeOeeioh3Em23QRVhUGRZecxNJ0h6ZOJ3UiJCFWSX80p5oCNTMx8JZM-3KXqnX2Hxm2uS/w640-h366/DJI_0089.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chaussy Sound is in the background, about 1 mile from our "remote" anchorage.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAq-EMBTRaBTbITy7Rv0Udp2Ncn3KbHkUHu4lzUdxvNbEt_7d4g9OdpwTZYh0PKNwZMqiyMu1TDblwstrIFl47PHGaS-sV-8u6DV-Bzwk0Nsa9axBuVHgIot3lldvVsJ5rkdUSMEjrvsh/s4032/IMG_3029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAq-EMBTRaBTbITy7Rv0Udp2Ncn3KbHkUHu4lzUdxvNbEt_7d4g9OdpwTZYh0PKNwZMqiyMu1TDblwstrIFl47PHGaS-sV-8u6DV-Bzwk0Nsa9axBuVHgIot3lldvVsJ5rkdUSMEjrvsh/w640-h480/IMG_3029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>What a difference a mile makes! We are anchored just beyond the white lighthouse barely visible on the horizon, to right of center. We took the dinghy over here to Chaussy Sound to check out the scene. This is in September, after kids are back in school, so we could imagine what it was like in summer....we liked our quiet anchorage spot, just over 1 mile away, much better!<br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvRxsNN_3rwzMGYOq5GywEIfLnXtM2wWUL54NQ1qmGXkZ1FKcQ_3TIO04Gi1etKYpQOpfZ0Hwfi8Se9RetPF4a-y8VAiquCicPC2wKhLgllI1l_NhTnSNu5kmD62aZ8TBUPv5zaXuiG62/s2048/DJI_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvRxsNN_3rwzMGYOq5GywEIfLnXtM2wWUL54NQ1qmGXkZ1FKcQ_3TIO04Gi1etKYpQOpfZ0Hwfi8Se9RetPF4a-y8VAiquCicPC2wKhLgllI1l_NhTnSNu5kmD62aZ8TBUPv5zaXuiG62/w640-h426/DJI_0093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chaussy Sound, shown in the previous photo, is to the upper left in this shot.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqiYXiv3cRXRXkoCwqGd0UHOylFdLn7HpEvD_4r_bT7pSpBEHFoQauTWR9TPuvneWgnsn5Uk8cLtqy9HG8HecOOie37MMMG8MxVhPiE-Y_mbTFMiQNricd0gD8a5Mm2cWXrDKgQU5P2La/s2048/DJI_0096-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="2048" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqiYXiv3cRXRXkoCwqGd0UHOylFdLn7HpEvD_4r_bT7pSpBEHFoQauTWR9TPuvneWgnsn5Uk8cLtqy9HG8HecOOie37MMMG8MxVhPiE-Y_mbTFMiQNricd0gD8a5Mm2cWXrDKgQU5P2La/w640-h406/DJI_0096-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><u><b>Honfleur:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>Together with mates Will and Jo aboard their new Boreal 47 SV FYNBOS, we headed to Honfleur in Normandy. It was an excellent cruise, taking us past several of the landing sites of D-Day fame. It was indeed sobering to think about the events of just over 75 years ago, and the many who lost their lives fighting on the beaches here.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn3eZArsIu0uORDwpec6btuB3uosrcRspa6y2EPnt04RMIPRpApIBvV-UOwx65Pw95udnjX3S5FlAlGy_yeVb3aKFdlMtSkedy79d4vnGntqw41hqXTKhf_ZGofcefgauEpfxyNkCr05m/s2016/20200908_193026_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="2016" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn3eZArsIu0uORDwpec6btuB3uosrcRspa6y2EPnt04RMIPRpApIBvV-UOwx65Pw95udnjX3S5FlAlGy_yeVb3aKFdlMtSkedy79d4vnGntqw41hqXTKhf_ZGofcefgauEpfxyNkCr05m/w640-h242/20200908_193026_resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Port of Le Havre, across the Seine river from Honfleur</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJVEdnxHIJLfBfPozXUol0WsEEtuPf4mr3IitZWuFKCC7K0CE7atx3PmIcxosjw3-S_fVsQJQbL-F_NhDPwK5SEooXtzP578zXFERv8XTrB97doOzQfH8JA-yiaKpR6DYsXrnYqXxnO55/s2048/P9081453-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="2048" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJVEdnxHIJLfBfPozXUol0WsEEtuPf4mr3IitZWuFKCC7K0CE7atx3PmIcxosjw3-S_fVsQJQbL-F_NhDPwK5SEooXtzP578zXFERv8XTrB97doOzQfH8JA-yiaKpR6DYsXrnYqXxnO55/w640-h336/P9081453-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Entering the Seine at sunset, under a squall</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUimvCy96sI93pk8iBoT6tqx2qyIKEFfziLWIx_XK8oPfyHPc43UF9_qLOZKewhLZR0fIVI4aXkfBLMXnNu2S3RvCYFp0S6NQZctqjwbDLnKmda3qAHY6yHWsWurT_N_gATbHW3xsGlIn/s2048/P9101471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUimvCy96sI93pk8iBoT6tqx2qyIKEFfziLWIx_XK8oPfyHPc43UF9_qLOZKewhLZR0fIVI4aXkfBLMXnNu2S3RvCYFp0S6NQZctqjwbDLnKmda3qAHY6yHWsWurT_N_gATbHW3xsGlIn/w360-h640/P9101471.jpg" width="360" /></a></div></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although we were here after peak tourist season, the village is still a major stop on the French tourist circuit. It was easy to see why!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqntN7LUTgaTRmeAXz-3h7UvF30M44zxfBUifBN0KdqpLCHgJgLKW1AKBImbWf4fud-2jt2yYOEL98nPoEo2lre1lnqUV-jhAlea5QD6OOhFfL2BkPnpns5XffMbNkHhKLaSsqBS9AD0GN/s2048/P9101486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="2048" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqntN7LUTgaTRmeAXz-3h7UvF30M44zxfBUifBN0KdqpLCHgJgLKW1AKBImbWf4fud-2jt2yYOEL98nPoEo2lre1lnqUV-jhAlea5QD6OOhFfL2BkPnpns5XffMbNkHhKLaSsqBS9AD0GN/w640-h486/P9101486.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">FYNBOS and BRAVO outside the Honfleur basin.</div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HFrRVwkfXJECBew-knanGbyblHzk5mOpyT90t95RzzkHRaDZ7knKnTmzbFGW0rsRoqtMRYIdaySsOj7IO0OYAfTAJpJU0d_u1Jp7SKKPDNvnKOd_MDbLwpEHC0dSfve4F-gc9uYRGz7F/s2048/P9091458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="2048" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HFrRVwkfXJECBew-knanGbyblHzk5mOpyT90t95RzzkHRaDZ7knKnTmzbFGW0rsRoqtMRYIdaySsOj7IO0OYAfTAJpJU0d_u1Jp7SKKPDNvnKOd_MDbLwpEHC0dSfve4F-gc9uYRGz7F/w640-h484/P9091458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGolaPAAaT1WV16a0Tv55BiSbUbCasHAS5-bFAr83xfpk5N51X0ABgD0M-EBUmhnSEH_ziHhloQbVFb4qjZ_JlzuE_o-k7uSuKX7SON8_Cibusee9Uh28uJJrw9Y6WABupa-ztpZHB2mw/s2048/P9091456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1493" data-original-width="2048" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGolaPAAaT1WV16a0Tv55BiSbUbCasHAS5-bFAr83xfpk5N51X0ABgD0M-EBUmhnSEH_ziHhloQbVFb4qjZ_JlzuE_o-k7uSuKX7SON8_Cibusee9Uh28uJJrw9Y6WABupa-ztpZHB2mw/w640-h466/P9091456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocVq6WyrxmmLShz7Gd97TLoldl4ns1GQsFLEh5C_ufu6xy6QMS0tA0CIkwaV_SE5TenrtWMQzHkT12wCAGMlS33RAAQ_SIaF4ST7VjvQ6WWjZpWx5kawxptj6wPLsdM5v0e6x5GO8F5jx/s2048/P9091461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocVq6WyrxmmLShz7Gd97TLoldl4ns1GQsFLEh5C_ufu6xy6QMS0tA0CIkwaV_SE5TenrtWMQzHkT12wCAGMlS33RAAQ_SIaF4ST7VjvQ6WWjZpWx5kawxptj6wPLsdM5v0e6x5GO8F5jx/w640-h480/P9091461.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45lfoc402C-zrM_a4kIkENC9MGefzPhg8oGhAccQskTy_y40SSOdYUOIEx9o_ak-iWDa2VfUCBUSe5xeFzsFoHymkeuj_366HkH1MfRXjbQWGRvhEwoJLylOKqo9R8M6aisDi9PruwPUD/s2048/P9101480-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45lfoc402C-zrM_a4kIkENC9MGefzPhg8oGhAccQskTy_y40SSOdYUOIEx9o_ak-iWDa2VfUCBUSe5xeFzsFoHymkeuj_366HkH1MfRXjbQWGRvhEwoJLylOKqo9R8M6aisDi9PruwPUD/w640-h414/P9101480-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySqEtp2BKcg9lZ-MvD5e5pQSHrWg-uRcxhyfNwU_vz3GOnZZH9Azj6gOsX3WkqNNSHkOecs1CQ_G1HwrWoZrF0Lr6r2ngf6WuScHCWN8sWlaFa8Y-pgayRSsChPc6C-G-92v1GNqN85tm/s2048/P9101484-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="2048" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySqEtp2BKcg9lZ-MvD5e5pQSHrWg-uRcxhyfNwU_vz3GOnZZH9Azj6gOsX3WkqNNSHkOecs1CQ_G1HwrWoZrF0Lr6r2ngf6WuScHCWN8sWlaFa8Y-pgayRSsChPc6C-G-92v1GNqN85tm/w640-h482/P9101484-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>St. Vaast:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_Rg5QECzsLYN_Uhi6YsQ_XVOryrhj8Lh9UzEg64Pdhil_3RdIpsfhBFF-NS_LryaEEy57fW50_TeMHtv6Ojy0S-kaLR1YmUhbLtqYqykWQMyuWcmfuZdcdzqTSnA2J7VAMfmuSvitD1i/s2016/20200906_142002_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="954" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_Rg5QECzsLYN_Uhi6YsQ_XVOryrhj8Lh9UzEg64Pdhil_3RdIpsfhBFF-NS_LryaEEy57fW50_TeMHtv6Ojy0S-kaLR1YmUhbLtqYqykWQMyuWcmfuZdcdzqTSnA2J7VAMfmuSvitD1i/w302-h640/20200906_142002_resized.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>We enjoyed exploring this little Normandy fishing port, and got out the bikes for a 40 km ride north to Barfleur.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67h7sXdo_Et-msm0CghzjPlX_IvnCqjvMaZQVVYoFQANLZ4KGjlUb-CK1gZM2BcZ3nfy4E0SbU0JlOHgDEl6ulBDEGHcgYAq7i8z_fTm9zrP8vise8dQmp21rt3j8lkSKE3Gd5Pc02Q5H/s2048/P9061435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67h7sXdo_Et-msm0CghzjPlX_IvnCqjvMaZQVVYoFQANLZ4KGjlUb-CK1gZM2BcZ3nfy4E0SbU0JlOHgDEl6ulBDEGHcgYAq7i8z_fTm9zrP8vise8dQmp21rt3j8lkSKE3Gd5Pc02Q5H/w640-h480/P9061435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUKv5TnevUpGzKPrdG07vfdZsIGUaae4UahVKUDTfeS7s2e8SYMR95ROPcfOCborlDZSLW4ViGgub8wszNr0lQ4dCfUA2jR7VsjL7FG3KZSwTYtDbK9DVNewNxPKpdynePFVhkbB_GExK/s2048/P9061438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1522" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUKv5TnevUpGzKPrdG07vfdZsIGUaae4UahVKUDTfeS7s2e8SYMR95ROPcfOCborlDZSLW4ViGgub8wszNr0lQ4dCfUA2jR7VsjL7FG3KZSwTYtDbK9DVNewNxPKpdynePFVhkbB_GExK/w476-h640/P9061438.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Xid3t8nzNGbWIrb1QYsQIW4aBdSwB_fenjchyWhdWMU03RvC2lWSqDx_EyxkHojLT1Zwpr_PjbfeuxCfvS6ogvTwz8ozIvWAe6rXPztF1pNiP5F8W5Ymm_FmsnXMSXeLEifVEtsZJwHP/s2048/P9071443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Xid3t8nzNGbWIrb1QYsQIW4aBdSwB_fenjchyWhdWMU03RvC2lWSqDx_EyxkHojLT1Zwpr_PjbfeuxCfvS6ogvTwz8ozIvWAe6rXPztF1pNiP5F8W5Ymm_FmsnXMSXeLEifVEtsZJwHP/w640-h480/P9071443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the entrance channel at low tide!!!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulgA_8LneNBV4Ufn5Ys5zpDG5b5AlMUVy_bRUudjcAJKIMswD9h8jidhSLe_mxlhi1LUjzIs8DlEv3QcNxhuAyxjsqnbkNkyBnfM-xRgGc7ADN0DDm0y2gBiZGlAeiuwjVY8Q1B7m4658/s4032/IMG_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulgA_8LneNBV4Ufn5Ys5zpDG5b5AlMUVy_bRUudjcAJKIMswD9h8jidhSLe_mxlhi1LUjzIs8DlEv3QcNxhuAyxjsqnbkNkyBnfM-xRgGc7ADN0DDm0y2gBiZGlAeiuwjVY8Q1B7m4658/w640-h480/IMG_2983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dining at Chez FYNBOS</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa2jfv6gcuNxn1xxg1aP4uRxQ3v6u3ODDMQEPqEx4_I8ycLZhN2CTVdUeJlQ5QrffWHEDPulF7anxvBJTsjDmxG4ZaxEFYKFvlkhw6j5anncYjj76jQFg0PxywWtH1k3PAcmmH1YbM6uu/s2048/P9071445-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa2jfv6gcuNxn1xxg1aP4uRxQ3v6u3ODDMQEPqEx4_I8ycLZhN2CTVdUeJlQ5QrffWHEDPulF7anxvBJTsjDmxG4ZaxEFYKFvlkhw6j5anncYjj76jQFg0PxywWtH1k3PAcmmH1YbM6uu/w640-h480/P9071445-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Isle de Hebihens:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSaaEejGEjt-e6Lu6P5opunx5r1ZiX7KWFBkQ1O7x9x3s8NnDpRjSo0rjYUg07ACdvm912lhx0HgxoslrdINDXMZtPMOQCnc5-qvIQVCuJKglpkCd1DXdfcvH2IU2ACyEkBAo8OQ3c1Sa/s2048/P7261255-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSaaEejGEjt-e6Lu6P5opunx5r1ZiX7KWFBkQ1O7x9x3s8NnDpRjSo0rjYUg07ACdvm912lhx0HgxoslrdINDXMZtPMOQCnc5-qvIQVCuJKglpkCd1DXdfcvH2IU2ACyEkBAo8OQ3c1Sa/w640-h456/P7261255-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spectacular view property on this private island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXTKdIU5-3n7MYkLvRvEa3PFSNDJotkpWY95lf-XHQc9fZQKXdLHLtbkBB9gnVnk8035d7Efyvm2Hwi_kKY1pNdWWqA7H36iq1xKj4tG03h42TLIqRylcF55pc61RV-ndIHR8QEC6A-7D/s2048/P7251228-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="2048" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXTKdIU5-3n7MYkLvRvEa3PFSNDJotkpWY95lf-XHQc9fZQKXdLHLtbkBB9gnVnk8035d7Efyvm2Hwi_kKY1pNdWWqA7H36iq1xKj4tG03h42TLIqRylcF55pc61RV-ndIHR8QEC6A-7D/w640-h350/P7251228-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Classic gaff rigged one design racing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VjJ21xH9H3Palu2jYNIHVGVvpPdRM5LlvWLfzEeQ9Jxo6dzcF8cwXyiEo_yG_JvCqM0lswOK4Z1guDYWefP7ZFSws8L0cVx7kO0XwcdHWF-17QD2jW9eqXnSJXrGSAvjZ3X12i4lut9F/s2048/P7251241-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="2048" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VjJ21xH9H3Palu2jYNIHVGVvpPdRM5LlvWLfzEeQ9Jxo6dzcF8cwXyiEo_yG_JvCqM0lswOK4Z1guDYWefP7ZFSws8L0cVx7kO0XwcdHWF-17QD2jW9eqXnSJXrGSAvjZ3X12i4lut9F/w640-h330/P7251241-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLDslBlRA7NEYEqc98UYr5HMAc7PRyxvB54qa4loYi1lGvkpAlnTiSS942k58VScLdyRyonQw9rLllpbLhTuNFG_Hacyb-T77B9YX3hPl3tltt42VEme5DMKosQLtVhg7S_vG35nfUmeY/s1655/20200709_154644_resized-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1655" data-original-width="1178" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLDslBlRA7NEYEqc98UYr5HMAc7PRyxvB54qa4loYi1lGvkpAlnTiSS942k58VScLdyRyonQw9rLllpbLhTuNFG_Hacyb-T77B9YX3hPl3tltt42VEme5DMKosQLtVhg7S_vG35nfUmeY/w456-h640/20200709_154644_resized-2.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Brittany coast is famous for it's rocks, as this unfortunate boat found out this morning. We know, we touched one with our centerboard as well. Happily for us the results were nowhere near as severe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxDLbE_DoZ25vmKoqhDu6k-XhXCXas-nHodux60y-n9ABuJzk9y5Xk-nzwcdqpeVGp4Qf33e8i2VMPeLusb1kQi14DimTnrseMtO21K3Ti4AtfxgqTb4Lv-WPmQm7PdSPF4jpLcGy__cT/s1031/20200723_132151_resized-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxDLbE_DoZ25vmKoqhDu6k-XhXCXas-nHodux60y-n9ABuJzk9y5Xk-nzwcdqpeVGp4Qf33e8i2VMPeLusb1kQi14DimTnrseMtO21K3Ti4AtfxgqTb4Lv-WPmQm7PdSPF4jpLcGy__cT/w446-h640/20200723_132151_resized-2.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happily watching the miles go by...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6Uyh9cFr85DzsoNHXerRDLgN5J1c4h9QYskS0VtFsRAR9Hr0GaLufVJcNH3ZV1s-4YU_6OcBuk-tnpeWLta2oQ9O0mhNwntITSS30vY7j-qSd9fJ4_FZfsPjZ06WV5XEDqVJxiFNyFAp/s2016/20200801_140419_resized-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="954" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6Uyh9cFr85DzsoNHXerRDLgN5J1c4h9QYskS0VtFsRAR9Hr0GaLufVJcNH3ZV1s-4YU_6OcBuk-tnpeWLta2oQ9O0mhNwntITSS30vY7j-qSd9fJ4_FZfsPjZ06WV5XEDqVJxiFNyFAp/w302-h640/20200801_140419_resized-2.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Code Zero working fine in a light breeze!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4d400qB19G9CAO6tEKxqB10_Mh0ltypUl-FycNkxEknj0V_KadVBRv49swg7lpfjGaNwgWuldmCWf-MP4WIZM9DtLzDQP85-Yl2G3hsEd5pVjDuW-iWUT59viRc9hiElejlxysNsU3wx/s2048/P9121512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4d400qB19G9CAO6tEKxqB10_Mh0ltypUl-FycNkxEknj0V_KadVBRv49swg7lpfjGaNwgWuldmCWf-MP4WIZM9DtLzDQP85-Yl2G3hsEd5pVjDuW-iWUT59viRc9hiElejlxysNsU3wx/w640-h480/P9121512.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cindi on night watch in the dog house....dry and warm!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrcmZzm10iXMuzthp56lz-yHDwlwD6HjjLn_8Amqpske7L1MnaMcsSyLFTZUxB-W-qjz9THClY0WlMyMBwI1fVciH53eyDMhaUReVigHgF4urmLlV8FtlFZP6IGv8mKg301tNfRhkZNQz/s2048/P8081407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrcmZzm10iXMuzthp56lz-yHDwlwD6HjjLn_8Amqpske7L1MnaMcsSyLFTZUxB-W-qjz9THClY0WlMyMBwI1fVciH53eyDMhaUReVigHgF4urmLlV8FtlFZP6IGv8mKg301tNfRhkZNQz/w640-h480/P8081407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back at our home base in Treguier</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTRW1WLLmthST18CJd0ZW165hzAA__eEFM45Q_MTH9q8f8jFS3FZ4XmKpMGlHIp57PqA4ugx-2p8Cj3bOiFbqnk0fd8QdiosXlQfj4qt4La8K5Jz84eRsmCZZQq0bMKsDUoga9U3AmaNa/s2048/P8161425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTRW1WLLmthST18CJd0ZW165hzAA__eEFM45Q_MTH9q8f8jFS3FZ4XmKpMGlHIp57PqA4ugx-2p8Cj3bOiFbqnk0fd8QdiosXlQfj4qt4La8K5Jz84eRsmCZZQq0bMKsDUoga9U3AmaNa/w640-h480/P8161425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><u><b>CRUISING, BRITTANY STYLE: </b></u><div><br /></div><div>OK, we've been sailing for over 50 years. Yup, we're OLD!!! And in all that time, being aground has always been high on the list of things to <i>avoid!!!</i> Yes, it sometimes happens. The old saying, "There are only two types of sailors...'Those who have been aground.....and liars'" really has truth to it. (Yes, we have been aground!)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vQJNm_6cTmusMtLHmlawNa8LpB68X1a7RVfD1gkYbbXd70kipIIk3IPkfz0b2qUoGfxz6mNe7etrnku9Hpk0DZ76ro1at_bovuLavAho89RtGZhmJ2-YkJ9OqgVQSScGf1-xGo5AtLvE/s2048/IMG_2798.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vQJNm_6cTmusMtLHmlawNa8LpB68X1a7RVfD1gkYbbXd70kipIIk3IPkfz0b2qUoGfxz6mNe7etrnku9Hpk0DZ76ro1at_bovuLavAho89RtGZhmJ2-YkJ9OqgVQSScGf1-xGo5AtLvE/w300-h400/IMG_2798.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighbor with his outriggers deployed.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">But here in Brittany, with the typical 30 foot tidal range, "taking the ground" becomes a way of life. Indeed, boats are designed for it, and many make it an art form, living on their moorings on the beach, drying out twice every 24 hours. </div></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Cruising, Breton style, can mean searching for the next beach to dry out on, giving the sailor a beach condo in every little bay or harbor!<br />
<br />
We decided that we needed to change the zinc anode on our propeller. It had been 5 months since BRAVO was launched into the brackish water of the Treguier marina on the tidal Jaudy river. Brackish water is hard on zincs. So it was time for boat maintenance, Breton style. With our centerboard boat, we would give this drying out business a try. Big "gulp".<br />
<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>We found a likely beach in a deep bay on the west side of a small island Ile de Brehat, and taking a mooring buoy we dinghied in to shore on a scouting mission. The idea is to find a nice flat sandy spot, in between other moored boats, where you can happily spend your hours going down on the tidal elevator, and then, hopefully, back up again!</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNONVXD8hgarSKBN95Vm2WwTOfixRB3sTgrHy6NPH5zfSSKYV9QYpjuCh_g-CjXysOvTN6aRHUuaAFUnoZbQtb5sBkyHKrQHiT7Z-71W5DrH76V1R614gDdLSVfXl8DNEqQjXzMJDZ3sC/s2048/IMG_2781.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNONVXD8hgarSKBN95Vm2WwTOfixRB3sTgrHy6NPH5zfSSKYV9QYpjuCh_g-CjXysOvTN6aRHUuaAFUnoZbQtb5sBkyHKrQHiT7Z-71W5DrH76V1R614gDdLSVfXl8DNEqQjXzMJDZ3sC/s2048/IMG_2781.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lv_2twezQqXIURJsxNHIIMHb9hvyPEsqaDu4Prj8ICS345TdFgACdjIYD-7J7Sx8mnQUf1p8DYw_U5o6r9D4L8Udc-BNhK0f6Vu-oWR8KaDTYtjXcxDF83K2M6A6QR5BMZr7d9rxBv4Q/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="640" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lv_2twezQqXIURJsxNHIIMHb9hvyPEsqaDu4Prj8ICS345TdFgACdjIYD-7J7Sx8mnQUf1p8DYw_U5o6r9D4L8Udc-BNhK0f6Vu-oWR8KaDTYtjXcxDF83K2M6A6QR5BMZr7d9rxBv4Q/w640-h416/image.png" width="640" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindi on reconnaissance mission. Note the red "channel buoy"!!! This will be our entry point !<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfssmyrwNBUO0pz_5yIe9-mklP-R9WpxujhRsnyGAzD0_8X2WMHBy5ZkpoHEm4gCj79wvaGeFeqFVFTd4ai0mUh1a7y62QUSkt6TW725hd10F0Xo8ZD6UtnCVPIbW8Ktq6Tuga4xntMVF/s2048/IMG_2778.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfssmyrwNBUO0pz_5yIe9-mklP-R9WpxujhRsnyGAzD0_8X2WMHBy5ZkpoHEm4gCj79wvaGeFeqFVFTd4ai0mUh1a7y62QUSkt6TW725hd10F0Xo8ZD6UtnCVPIbW8Ktq6Tuga4xntMVF/w640-h480/IMG_2778.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Having found our spot, the next day we positioned ourselves using both our main anchor, and our stern anchor set from the dinghy. The water at that point was about 6 meters deep, and we just draw a little over 1 meter with the board up. Since the tidal range for the day would be around 8 meters, we'd certainly be high and dry at low tide. We secured the anchors, and sat around to wait.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking behind us, deeper into the bay, we watched as boats slowly began to show bottom paint. The tide line kept getting closer....a very WIERD feeling! We kept adjusting the tension on the stern anchor, winching it in as the boat went steadily lower.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally there was no denying it.....we were solidly on the beach. We waited until we were high and dry, and scrambled down the ladder for a walk about.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaXY_9vb6Bj-uxt6EvEgvrp8LvNxeB_lVYYfEv4ByvyTG4Q0UxaRwBvdwb8BnJlncA4easA78EWr45Dl3XIxPqzq9yg7Aolp6QXBVdyjPqiNT2zD2GcQmRCGjPhyphenhyphenv4XFMRu5qUjrj9RgR/s2016/20200708_154357_resized.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaXY_9vb6Bj-uxt6EvEgvrp8LvNxeB_lVYYfEv4ByvyTG4Q0UxaRwBvdwb8BnJlncA4easA78EWr45Dl3XIxPqzq9yg7Aolp6QXBVdyjPqiNT2zD2GcQmRCGjPhyphenhyphenv4XFMRu5qUjrj9RgR/w300-h400/20200708_154357_resized.jpg" width="300" /></a>All was fine. BRAVO was perfectly level on the sand, allowing easy access to change the prop anode.<br /><div><br /></div><div>And then, after a couple of hours, we were floating again, and continued the journey!!! Cruising, Brittany style!!!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFG708pHULWL9eGKgrZUV4kgJX6ntjYxciFcOk2l0yqszPCpepe-jiFrbEAlASakg1T9LY9tVTpk7jAeLVVkqm-n-UOlWMuvh0D9f4TKd4K5_q8s-pGVVMFcPqr8EAeUOL_6ES6esiunfE/s2016/20200708_163032_resized.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFG708pHULWL9eGKgrZUV4kgJX6ntjYxciFcOk2l0yqszPCpepe-jiFrbEAlASakg1T9LY9tVTpk7jAeLVVkqm-n-UOlWMuvh0D9f4TKd4K5_q8s-pGVVMFcPqr8EAeUOL_6ES6esiunfE/w480-h640/20200708_163032_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1534" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5VZD_8kgS7dS2MtRWRLmoWvysuzP_V4dhho9_-_SKd_AFclOxOeFE99y1dA9BCoRz8jD-ouuujjwnJArS1dTYLLS5anjlEa3zNKlmvMl9Pt2DiFvRPfJ3CY474uTp_TbQ3heF10QhBNy/w480-h640/IMG_2793.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidu-croTWXJv7ermmdX3u-UZdxTJYjaEZKWQXc84ejiWZ6N4NuPFqXJQpHukoOYgvzSTiHhRmGwC3qoiQPsBm6P6juKbW3ytq5EGVzYaGJtjn5T480mQiQDbgcKUVEG7OhBBoLyQ0_w7r/s2304/20200816_210004_resized-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="2304" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidu-croTWXJv7ermmdX3u-UZdxTJYjaEZKWQXc84ejiWZ6N4NuPFqXJQpHukoOYgvzSTiHhRmGwC3qoiQPsBm6P6juKbW3ytq5EGVzYaGJtjn5T480mQiQDbgcKUVEG7OhBBoLyQ0_w7r/w640-h304/20200816_210004_resized-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's to hoping we get a vaccine for Covid soon, and that the US gets a badly needed new president!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb33-PxO8WaSQTogB9QZ6K3bKt6BNOV1M1kZzX39PGZSKKzLnBVgaTbTW1Cy1j1NX2kCntYbMToMlyoDR68cfNFZZcU86Pv874YBy5dP4uRN4DqmmAd1tM_b7yQBZ6bIavlUildfIDFCB/s2705/P9121495-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="2705" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb33-PxO8WaSQTogB9QZ6K3bKt6BNOV1M1kZzX39PGZSKKzLnBVgaTbTW1Cy1j1NX2kCntYbMToMlyoDR68cfNFZZcU86Pv874YBy5dP4uRN4DqmmAd1tM_b7yQBZ6bIavlUildfIDFCB/w640-h274/P9121495-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">STAY HEALTHY, EVERYONE!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-43359780268503292622020-06-26T00:06:00.000+12:002020-06-26T00:06:13.309+12:00Rolling the dice, in crazy 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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It has indeed been a crazy year so far. Covid 19 has turned everyone's lives upside down, and life for these voyaging vagabonds is certainly no exception. All plans for heading north to Norway and Svalbard are on hold until next year, and due to our Venn diagram's overlapping circles of visas, virus closures, and seasonal weather patterns, it's become a real crap shoot to predict any itinerary for the next year.<br />
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Our full lockdown in France lasted for 2-1/2 months. During that time we were basically confined to the boat in our closed marina here in Treguier (all marinas in France were officially closed). All water sports and activities were forbidden. As was bicycling on our new folding bikes. We took our allowed daily 1 hour exercise walks, so got to know the area really well! And the historic area is a beautiful region to explore.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our "front deck", up at the bow</td></tr>
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A few views from our walks about town....</div>
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Treguier is definitely off any of the global cruising routes. Unlike, say Mexico, the Caribbean, or the islands of the South Pacific, the area sees relatively few international sailing visitors, particularly in winter. And the virus shut down has made us even more of an oddity!!! We've enjoyed meeting local Breton people who have all been friendly and welcoming. We had a full page article about us in the local paper, and a French TV channel, recording a feature show on the Boreal boats and company spent quite a bit of time interviewing us for the program.</div>
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The other thing about the lockdown is that of course all non essential businesses were shut down as well. So details remaining on BRAVO had to wait until Boreal could get back to work. We also had several projects on our list to install, but these too had to wait until we could get missing parts and fabrications. Arghhhh.....all dressed up (or nearly!!), and no where to go.</div>
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The currents here in the marina on the Jaudy river are quite amazing. Our electronic "odometer", or log, records only in the forward direction, so only increases on the tide against the way we're facing. Here we logged our first 200 miles while still tied to the dock. (We're now at over 350, though we've only actually sailed less than 50 of those!!!)</div>
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Finally the lockdown in France has eased, in stages. Happily the Treguier area, Departement 22, has been spared a large number of Covid cases, so we've felt quite safe here. Most people are wearing masks, even on the streets, and they are required in most stores. The Boreal team all masks up (as do we) when they need to work aboard. Nearly all remaining projects have now been completed. Rigging, canvas, sails, done, as well as our own projects, installing the watermaker and HF radios.....all aboard and working well.</div>
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We've now gone for a couple of sails, including a few days in the Ile de Brehat area. Not far away, but it was great to test out all systems on the hook, as well as getting in some nice sailing in the light steady breezes. Now we're waiting for the final payment on the boat to go to customs, so that we can receive our final documentation proving that no EU VAT (20% sales tax) will be owed for 18 months, as we're officially a boat for export out of the EU. We'll then be clear to come and go as we please, though at this point, due to Covid, we'll be staying in France. International borders remain largely closed, especially between the EU and UK. (Surprise!) Hopefully it will open later in the summer, so we can get in some cruising around Britain before returning here for a few remaining boat tweaks in the fall/winter.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back from a trip to the local oyster farm</td></tr>
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Life at the marina hasn't been a bad place to spend lockdown (AT ALL!!), given many of the alternatives of cruising friends around the world.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local artichokes are monsters, and sold everywhere in season</td></tr>
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We're finally allowed to ride our new folding bikes, great fun, and good to expand our radius of exploration on land. The little bikes ride really well, though pot holes are a bitch!!! They live in the lazarette when not in use.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boreal navy! BRAVO on the left, SYL on the bow, with EGATTA, ASKELL WENN, NANOOK and TANGUERO behind</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchored off of Ile de Brehat</td></tr>
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We've seen some interesting boats around town. This little guy, around 6 or 7 meters was apparently used in the single handed Mini Trans-At Race from France to Brazil quite a few years ago. We loved the paint job!!! (all of the rust, wrinkles, rivets, and holes are painted!!!)</div>
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But here was our favorite: </div>
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Most days our walk took us over a bridge crossing the Guindy river. We always admired this beautiful old wooden gaffer, tied up on shore. </div>
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Wikipedia had this to say about her:</div>
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"<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">This horn cutter was built in 1855. It served, until 1934, as a pilot cutter at the port of Saint-Hélier in Jersey. She is one of the oldest sailing ships that still sails. She was found on the bank</span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">s of the Rance and bought by the navigator, writer and painter Yvon Le Corre. It was restored at the Conrad shipyard in Paimpol and is now used as a cruising sailboat for its owner."</span></div>
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One day we saw a crowd aboard, and watched them shove off for a sail. When we returned to our dock, we found GIRL JOYCE tied up to the dock, just behind us. It turned out that famed Le Corre, now in his 80's, had just sold her to a new owner, and they had come to the dock to finalize the transfer. We had a great chat with Yvon about his history with GIRL JOYCE (several solo expeditions to Antartica, the arctic, and points in between, as well as his exploits on his previous gaffer, a British "smack" named IRIS, before being ship wrecked off the Scottish coast. </div>
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We were invited up to his studio in town, and we had a lovely visit there, chatting for a couple of hours about sailing ships, art, and travel (among his other amazing exploits, Le Corre had crossed the African Sahara twice, on foot, solo, just for the exploration of it!!!). He shared his amazing life with us through his many sketchbooks (long ago, he was the documentation artist on an exploration schooner to Antartica). A man who's truly led life to the fullest, we felt privileged to spend time with him.</div>
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So that's the story from Brittany. It's great to see new BRAVO finished, and we're eager to continue to explore the local region as we wait to see what the future holds for voyaging.....Stay healthy, everyone, and WEAR YOUR MASKS!!! Hopefully we'll all roll 7's and 11's in the weeks and months ahead.....</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-9893978319476075592020-03-25T03:26:00.000+13:002020-03-25T03:26:05.829+13:00AND THE BEAT GOES ON!!! Under Lockdown in France (and updated BRAVO photos)Albeit it's a slow beat indeed!!! As many of you know, we're here in Treguier, France, a small town in NW Brittany, and the home of Boreal, the builders of new BRAVO.<br />
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BRAVO was launched on February 18, and we moved aboard about 2 weeks ago. There is still some work to do, but it's getting there. Everyone from the boatyard has been great to work with, trying hard to get all completed. She's a complex boat, with an amazing amount of detail. We've been using the time to settle in, and store the gear that we shipped from both the US and old BRAVO in Australia.<br />
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Unfortunately, this Covid-19 virus has stopped us, and Boreal, and the rest of the world in our tracks. Though we're living aboard, we've still not even been for a test sail!!! Amazingly frustrating. France is now on full lockdown, in it's 8th day. So everyone is confined to their homes; in our case, the boat. The nearest supermarket is only about 1 km from here so a nice walk. And there's a health food coop right at the marina. (we try to only go to the Coop, as they only allow 5 people in the store at a time). Trips to buy food or exercise are allowed, but you need to print out a form to show police if stopped. Otherwise a €38-150 fine, makes for an expensive baguette! Exercise is limited to 1 km max from home, walking or running, and for a maximum of 1 hour away from home per day. We can't even use our brand new folding bikes, which arrived the day before the lockdown started. Sometimes, at low tide, we do "laps" of the marina ramp. The spring tides here are over 10 meters, so the ramp is a good workout. But it takes 50 laps to equal 1 mile!!!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone wrote on the ramp, about midway up "Cheer up, Sir Edmund Hillary, you're 1/2 way to the top"!!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A low spring tide.....happily we're tied to the very outside end of the dock, so we always have water under us!!!</td></tr>
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Things keep getting tighter here...no recreational boating of any sort is allowed in the country. Marinas are all closed, as are marine businesses. We've even had two visits from the gendarmes to see why we are on the dock!!! We told them the boat is our home, and they said ok. But we're the only folks in the whole marina! Literally!!! If we go to get groceries, we need to go solo. As far as DIY projects, I need some parts for all of them, and all marine stores are closed. Also need a bit of fabrication by Boreal for the watermaker install, but they're understandably closed for the foreseeable future. Lousy timing indeed!!! <br />
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At this point, our plans for cruising this summer are pretty much on hold. It's impossible to plan anything, really. Though the country is locked down for 15 days, with about 1 week to go, everyone feels that it will be extended, possibly for weeks!!! We wish we were allowed to leave the dock with the boat, but the rationale is that in case of a need for rescue, folks could be put at risk. Applies all recreational boating, whether it's sailing, fishing, kiting, even kayaking or paddle boarding. Hopefully this strict approach will have some effect. We learned a few days ago about our little district here in rural Brittany (a popular summer holiday retreat). 4 cases went to 12 overnight. All from Paris, who had escaped to their 2nd homes the night before the lockdown started! We have no idea what the local count is now. We're glad to be the only folks allowed in the marina, and we're all the way out on the end of a long dock!!! About as isolated as you can be!<br />
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So that's about it from here. We are healthy, and really want to stay that way! Yes, the lockdown is definitely boring. But as cruising mates Peter and Ginger on IRENE, now quarantined in Turkey said, it's not much different than being on a passage, but with internet, and more sleep between watches!!! The new Bravo is absolutely beautiful, we're thrilled with the way she is turning out. Not bad digs to spend in isolation.<br />
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Here are some photos of BRAVO, including the launch, mast stepping, and a few interior views:<br />
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<b>Launch Day:</b> <br />
Launching these boats is a rather amazing process. At the yard, it is put on a trailer. From there, a tractor pulls the boat about 2 miles to the launch ramp at the marina.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final wash down before the parade begins.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maneuvering one of the tight round abouts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backing down the launch ramp.....Yikes, not for the faint-of-heart!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOBh-bOg2wIGdYAmPWT01kxZph6HFhOpuPw9aMLXlxN-QiUOKNPn8ZNoEPtasJsfovMcWR_d7mPcQs5tv708iaFH80nM-EFFQbXhoO1lWXjqu61VUBeh-nVGh9ZvBJtzxeruyS3MA03HJ/s1600/P2180797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOBh-bOg2wIGdYAmPWT01kxZph6HFhOpuPw9aMLXlxN-QiUOKNPn8ZNoEPtasJsfovMcWR_d7mPcQs5tv708iaFH80nM-EFFQbXhoO1lWXjqu61VUBeh-nVGh9ZvBJtzxeruyS3MA03HJ/s640/P2180797.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tight squeeze past this sign.....no problem!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa3qGdQt8nLRW3dtHrpUu_-y3V_RayGm6tcJCy8YRRVCbodkwLLfIMKH71bBn1cuoigCxbvIS4JlV0ylB6MEpl9tCXi2AXwtEJGgUq6KiZdAoBx97QpZVDRA4bhwRHDsBpd4dCgafuM7O/s1600/P2180813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa3qGdQt8nLRW3dtHrpUu_-y3V_RayGm6tcJCy8YRRVCbodkwLLfIMKH71bBn1cuoigCxbvIS4JlV0ylB6MEpl9tCXi2AXwtEJGgUq6KiZdAoBx97QpZVDRA4bhwRHDsBpd4dCgafuM7O/s640/P2180813.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boreal firm partner Jean Francois Eeman checks for engine cooling water is running before the final push into the river.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eVVzuHPAXqVwYe1D_BZ5NbXOh7MyZFawQxblL1acppd9SmuQBRR1w8CqQ6IT2rmUfhEdHjXXj4zrZV09vG0BSD_IhOjGndP_D2QWLoFYPDKIM1vwrpsowYJ7tBa2Wbo_9WxnGrXWua7R/s1600/P2180825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eVVzuHPAXqVwYe1D_BZ5NbXOh7MyZFawQxblL1acppd9SmuQBRR1w8CqQ6IT2rmUfhEdHjXXj4zrZV09vG0BSD_IhOjGndP_D2QWLoFYPDKIM1vwrpsowYJ7tBa2Wbo_9WxnGrXWua7R/s640/P2180825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZjZVQKXR6OudBtrs59_nRPwLygTiw9Q_hoqhE6TivQQsWNakQnH0xtkvpoXXCm7KOHFR-VM8LTG0laxl6X1di_HO8lHb47Fd2UME64-e_f4zzaEO93lt2bX6pckSnqMCujzZafRvJR_V/s1600/P2180830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZjZVQKXR6OudBtrs59_nRPwLygTiw9Q_hoqhE6TivQQsWNakQnH0xtkvpoXXCm7KOHFR-VM8LTG0laxl6X1di_HO8lHb47Fd2UME64-e_f4zzaEO93lt2bX6pckSnqMCujzZafRvJR_V/s640/P2180830.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new home. Though we didn't know it at the time, we'll now likely be here for many more weeks to come.</td></tr>
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<b>Stepping the rig:</b><br />
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Usually the rig is stepped as soon as the boat is launched. In our case, a few final rigging touches were needed, so the rig was stepped a week later.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7qAGT23BQ3X53Adn2rh1O65CvY4kCiWx6R21KM-5uRCdvM7yuXM_NnAybDRNelMjVPFGTPC6mr_Vte1kTIpC3jezYdYCwNVIOtaeOot2oJgUixTn2M3GkxMv6kGNTzsi0HE8SlVjqPm8/s1600/P3030831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7qAGT23BQ3X53Adn2rh1O65CvY4kCiWx6R21KM-5uRCdvM7yuXM_NnAybDRNelMjVPFGTPC6mr_Vte1kTIpC3jezYdYCwNVIOtaeOot2oJgUixTn2M3GkxMv6kGNTzsi0HE8SlVjqPm8/s640/P3030831.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rig arrived by trailer from the yard, where the crane was waiting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnbjiZWsdYmTAF0oG4UrZF7yHPpGyor0oHDEWtWsiLO1Y1zq1zq-kT3IOWpLCTjEnsVSbymrx9sCjPnHbpR6PsQcitLS1ShyttIJr_J4nLrhsuERYQL74So8gQU9Wybh2UXSZ0YX2eyv-/s1600/P3030840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnbjiZWsdYmTAF0oG4UrZF7yHPpGyor0oHDEWtWsiLO1Y1zq1zq-kT3IOWpLCTjEnsVSbymrx9sCjPnHbpR6PsQcitLS1ShyttIJr_J4nLrhsuERYQL74So8gQU9Wybh2UXSZ0YX2eyv-/s640/P3030840.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well rehearsed team, they've done this many times before. Second from the right is Jean Francois Delvoye, architect of these boats and one of the two partners in the firm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO-KTDc6RocoFDdn85X9SlozmXWiFCkdDjhcEAtHGyWDhqlChyTcQ2KIWMcq7nZshvoVQPrn9J2J9UwYnSAdhXUQgmp23A5z3gJ2m59Bf6WWUoCeQYGQLBccG5bAU6AVCDuMhVVXLnV_s/s1600/P3030846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO-KTDc6RocoFDdn85X9SlozmXWiFCkdDjhcEAtHGyWDhqlChyTcQ2KIWMcq7nZshvoVQPrn9J2J9UwYnSAdhXUQgmp23A5z3gJ2m59Bf6WWUoCeQYGQLBccG5bAU6AVCDuMhVVXLnV_s/s640/P3030846.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All went smoothly, as here the mast is lowering down into place</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cc6sWKWNmhdMCoVQokczFc4mm7SxdYwoVvdYqZKI7AKGj1_YN5M67eVMb9TvDHLb-dUdu4Ly0mxWZuQlE0DGRQ3hLQzOQSeDuF7sA1G7zgKjf0ffIaAcTlx4nM0Le1LK3ISXIWDxd1ZO/s1600/P3030852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cc6sWKWNmhdMCoVQokczFc4mm7SxdYwoVvdYqZKI7AKGj1_YN5M67eVMb9TvDHLb-dUdu4Ly0mxWZuQlE0DGRQ3hLQzOQSeDuF7sA1G7zgKjf0ffIaAcTlx4nM0Le1LK3ISXIWDxd1ZO/s640/P3030852.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Interior shots:</b><br />
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Many have asked what the inside of our new home looks like.....here she is:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZipbZ3CVIgchE__Dw3q37e_srSygMS36zEJoCveAxl5T52e6bmrJY1GonQdtxX05ciFqauSbKdJ1P_IJ7wJDTiV5YCY_vO7Z18bMbiTutgw8ZqEGyhBAWWoXejPyra3_F9QGjDrQHJsa/s1600/P3190880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZipbZ3CVIgchE__Dw3q37e_srSygMS36zEJoCveAxl5T52e6bmrJY1GonQdtxX05ciFqauSbKdJ1P_IJ7wJDTiV5YCY_vO7Z18bMbiTutgw8ZqEGyhBAWWoXejPyra3_F9QGjDrQHJsa/s640/P3190880.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "doghouse". Truly one of the great features of all Boreal models, here is the perfect place to be on watch in snotty weather.....warm and dry!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSrJw65K2eEZTaal3hGcumL9E4vO0snyylDVshakoWpm-BKvGZNlFYeuzQPr4B2uf7QFcFmIpjk4lqnqC0WKBPotuDyLoyDl1sUcd9bRbzLN01q9OGOP5P5eWCn2dvbb8lMz7hz8ufGmE/s1600/P3190864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSrJw65K2eEZTaal3hGcumL9E4vO0snyylDVshakoWpm-BKvGZNlFYeuzQPr4B2uf7QFcFmIpjk4lqnqC0WKBPotuDyLoyDl1sUcd9bRbzLN01q9OGOP5P5eWCn2dvbb8lMz7hz8ufGmE/s640/P3190864.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main salon</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeynY-bANB2MvdrdvjvF92zzb3SNgGVEoB6APuoknfqUzlEDowSDjM-aRoXv6OzDHCXl2hlNnwpW_iDr8YqPDgKcuVWS-j7KsjDn1KOdqYO9HY5BEejNBvWL7dwE2F9y4Y4fg_0nozpkv/s1600/P3190865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeynY-bANB2MvdrdvjvF92zzb3SNgGVEoB6APuoknfqUzlEDowSDjM-aRoXv6OzDHCXl2hlNnwpW_iDr8YqPDgKcuVWS-j7KsjDn1KOdqYO9HY5BEejNBvWL7dwE2F9y4Y4fg_0nozpkv/s640/P3190865.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galley in the background. We're very happy with the stainless steel counters, a Boreal first!!! Centerboard is housed under the cushion on the left. Electrical gear, including the 600Ah lithium batteries, live under the cushion in the foreground.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVctOmj4kG1krujPAk1E9MCg8z3zoLB_w2epDOCVCIuMUk8x4KXaooYvInwO1uvdk_8Il_eAcqDyTJ51r3bxYedL7YPOFuEfJKY_6SbPw1F_v0UzBeYXHv-fp5DNqVSJbOIkFFxzFvN_uB/s1600/P3190866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVctOmj4kG1krujPAk1E9MCg8z3zoLB_w2epDOCVCIuMUk8x4KXaooYvInwO1uvdk_8Il_eAcqDyTJ51r3bxYedL7YPOFuEfJKY_6SbPw1F_v0UzBeYXHv-fp5DNqVSJbOIkFFxzFvN_uB/s640/P3190866.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcF0KoFvw189bG-ylaUNBor4wryYVibBHhBvTgrFIApSqzb4SjjgEZWLLIzLJaEZ3kkBvQkMsRWNHTerNu6waBOWM2okYFZeXjgfZlTB0cuozggBLuM8F7izL9Yl3VRA20n1m0d-_a13P/s1600/P3190868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcF0KoFvw189bG-ylaUNBor4wryYVibBHhBvTgrFIApSqzb4SjjgEZWLLIzLJaEZ3kkBvQkMsRWNHTerNu6waBOWM2okYFZeXjgfZlTB0cuozggBLuM8F7izL9Yl3VRA20n1m0d-_a13P/s640/P3190868.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door on the right leads to the port aft cabin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3X2IHBxd6BYpiS_9gypg8aHCYyIrMcnvkdtF6jZfkEw7hbcBLGgTROopfea5rw3RIjIVhyphenhyphenH9XFOuX823NDUuGdBXtdLfGN3iMdcL-h-NwWAvQ_TsJTi2MGAgOjQKudXvC9KYIvCWCZoF/s1600/P3190871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1140" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3X2IHBxd6BYpiS_9gypg8aHCYyIrMcnvkdtF6jZfkEw7hbcBLGgTROopfea5rw3RIjIVhyphenhyphenH9XFOuX823NDUuGdBXtdLfGN3iMdcL-h-NwWAvQ_TsJTi2MGAgOjQKudXvC9KYIvCWCZoF/s640/P3190871.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starboard aft cabin. We wanted some major changes in this space, and J-F Delvoye did a terrific job with it. The idea of this cabin is as an electrical/utility/storage space. On the left is a 2 drawer freezer. The space aft of that can either be used as a bunk for an off watch crew, or storage. Storage is below. Center aft is the white sound enclosure of the Northern Lights genset. On the right are 2 cabinet doors containing electrical equipment. Usually Boreal mounts this gear in the engine room, but we wanted it moved out to keep cooler....again, JFD, working with electrical guru Brice from T.E.E.M. came up with a terrific design. A heavy Sailrite sewing machine is on the floor in front, and will be secured well!!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq27GyN9edNMsSXCeqq57R1_7f8zIi7AM-O-eda3YR7zMEg6_hzd-OfAYoArMCfRt9W6PpntMjJus06KkHsCpOndXrSHh84O6d67mwu88zN7v90FB8vyhpqO20sJdyVNpWvEbJEbr72gxR/s1600/P3190873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq27GyN9edNMsSXCeqq57R1_7f8zIi7AM-O-eda3YR7zMEg6_hzd-OfAYoArMCfRt9W6PpntMjJus06KkHsCpOndXrSHh84O6d67mwu88zN7v90FB8vyhpqO20sJdyVNpWvEbJEbr72gxR/s640/P3190873.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FwICezae2KymNLjKIr_uiG3e7Oe5UC-pVJJ24gg5J-sx0pwNKflrUtCWBu_6Xd7SWVSn1bxGSTIpIeD927fGt11XV6tc5qmdZYYhVfo8O-pw143ygHgBj5e-jwyefzGfcoMNOLwvzkJY/s1600/P3190875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FwICezae2KymNLjKIr_uiG3e7Oe5UC-pVJJ24gg5J-sx0pwNKflrUtCWBu_6Xd7SWVSn1bxGSTIpIeD927fGt11XV6tc5qmdZYYhVfo8O-pw143ygHgBj5e-jwyefzGfcoMNOLwvzkJY/s640/P3190875.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the electrical detailing and installation is a work of art!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx5QbgZVV-ODJITau6RaVPDyjnZUbbWhGAuLSwYbx6BjwChxFSWtZRjH_3QGuKZhJvIc4sDwXlFhasWW-RmZlzRzNRCj_UHxPAP0awkJzxKnD7WnB76Pv7lCF84f-Nww8hpMDuQRu-01q/s1600/P3190876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx5QbgZVV-ODJITau6RaVPDyjnZUbbWhGAuLSwYbx6BjwChxFSWtZRjH_3QGuKZhJvIc4sDwXlFhasWW-RmZlzRzNRCj_UHxPAP0awkJzxKnD7WnB76Pv7lCF84f-Nww8hpMDuQRu-01q/s640/P3190876.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port side aft cabin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrific workbench separates galley/salon from forward sleeping cabin. Refleks diesel heater on the right is wrapped internally with copper tubes, which circulate hot fluid to radiators throughout the boat. Sharing the hydronic loop is another diesel heater, by Eberspacher, to provide heat when the boat is heeled over sailing, when the drip fed Refleks should not be used.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward cabin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking aft from bed. Door on left goes out to the salon past the workshop, the door on the right is the forward head.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward head</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-1896257765066193452019-10-13T12:34:00.000+13:002019-10-13T12:34:09.870+13:00OH CANADA!!! More British Columbia RamblesAfter a couple of weeks in Seattle to regroup following our Vancouver Island tour, we headed back up to British Columbia for some more hiking and exploring. We started out in Central BC, heading up through the Okanagan Valley with friends Rich and Laura, who were camping with their Sprinter van and trailer. <br />
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Good fun, we got to do some nice hiking in Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, and got our feet wet in bear country. Like most of BC, the area is popular with both black and grizzly bears. Since our pop top camper has soft, hypalon fabric sides on the pop top, there are some national parks where we were prohibited, only allowing hard sided campers. (though really, if a hungry grizz wanted in to ANY camper, he'd open the aluminum sides with his claws like a can opener.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7f8zHcMnyG7dMvxo5YbvcPkTwRPHfq6x5F-8zmltsYtBoEH8HhUxbWZ3tapR9gMTXSrQ0xOARsuiUS1tFqH3jn3hJHVXy17waXULDaCFmTYanIhMA6d0PyzzuxueeeQmT031hre-qhiz/s1600/P6240172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7f8zHcMnyG7dMvxo5YbvcPkTwRPHfq6x5F-8zmltsYtBoEH8HhUxbWZ3tapR9gMTXSrQ0xOARsuiUS1tFqH3jn3hJHVXy17waXULDaCFmTYanIhMA6d0PyzzuxueeeQmT031hre-qhiz/s400/P6240172.jpg" width="400" /></a>Never did see a grizz, though we did see fresh evidence...<br />
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And black bears were a common site, on the trails, in the campgrounds, and on the roads of BC.<br />
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After Glacier Park, we continued east to check out mountains and glaciers of Yoho, Lake Louise, Banff, and Jasper National Parks. The Canadian Rockies are absolutely spectacular and unique mountains. Unfortunately, they are really being "loved to death". The crowds are intense, and no backpacking can be done without permits, which have been reserved months in advance...not Bravo style! And the weather in early summer this year really sucked.....rain or threat of rain most days we were there. We did a few hikes in pouring rain, but it got a bit old. And, of course, rain in the hills meant for more tourists in the towns of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. But we did manage a few hikes in decent weather, and they were amazing!!!</div>
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Here are a few shots from the weeks in the Rockies.....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red umbrella at Moraine Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Iceline Trail, one of the most spectacular alpine hikes in Yoho National Park...or anywhere, for that matter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town of Banff, from top of Tunnel Mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An evening at the Jasper train yards...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm brewing on Mt. Athabaska<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone remember Rocky and Bullwinkle?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURA1RKcfvXoc_BvSqivItpM_k32O6gQuhXEGSMdLqqdMSVmlmrtX3ay4luAodRUxlQ7h6huaDAJlrM68f1Ko2DKUhNiTXGRjkHCqQ3VDVXUATj_RVigOQW11Y233Bq0PjE8KN6C6wz6NA/s1600/P7180393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURA1RKcfvXoc_BvSqivItpM_k32O6gQuhXEGSMdLqqdMSVmlmrtX3ay4luAodRUxlQ7h6huaDAJlrM68f1Ko2DKUhNiTXGRjkHCqQ3VDVXUATj_RVigOQW11Y233Bq0PjE8KN6C6wz6NA/s640/P7180393.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here in rain mode, Dirt Bravo 2 (DB2) has been a great touring rig for us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVJya2OfEy8gPacu_XrvW7vUA9u1v2ObwJronLz9HyEEd_0mMWMrbP_nbQniMmZQtb8UGMOAxAi8btZM1JK-d8MxePWTwXxyQPomLCzEVODG2cJMbeL2Mogmg19r87MR_sZBlOeYLnr-n/s1600/PxeR6%252Bz4REuYUbln6brXRQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVJya2OfEy8gPacu_XrvW7vUA9u1v2ObwJronLz9HyEEd_0mMWMrbP_nbQniMmZQtb8UGMOAxAi8btZM1JK-d8MxePWTwXxyQPomLCzEVODG2cJMbeL2Mogmg19r87MR_sZBlOeYLnr-n/s640/PxeR6%252Bz4REuYUbln6brXRQ.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we've deployed the "mozzie box", clipped to the awning.....great to keep the little bastards at bay.</td></tr>
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After our time in the Rockies, we turned our windshield to the north west, driving through Prince George and many small towns on our way to Stewart. Stewart is right on the border with the dead end town of Hyder, Alaska. Kind of a whacky deal, really. There is no border crossing here into Alaska, because there's simply no where to go aside from the little semi ghost town of Hyder, and the mining roads above it. But Hyder is famous for its salmon run in July, and with the salmon come the bears to feast. It's one of the most accessible spots to watch the spectacle of bears catching their salmon. We last saw this at Brooks Lodge in Alaska many years ago, and we were eager for a repeat show. Unfortunately the salmon hadn't shown up yet....."any day, now", said the park rangers. We waited for three days, and in that time only one salmon was spotted, not enough to generate much enthusiasm from the bears lurking, no doubt, in the dense forest surrounding the river. </div>
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The weather was a bit gloomy, but we got to do some great driving along the glaciers on the way up to the mine sites.</div>
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But it was a beautiful spot nonetheless, and we enjoyed watching a mother hermit thrush feeding her three babies, which had hatched over the 2 days prior to our arrival.</div>
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We couldn't hang out forever in Hyder waiting for the salmon, though, as it was time to meet our friends John and Kathy on their trawler Mystic Moon. We first met J&K in the Galapagos in 2013, and leapfrogged with them across the pacific. After Australia, they went on to SE Asia, Japan, and Russia, before crossing to Alaska. They spent last winter in Sitka, and were bringing Mystic down the BC coast for a major refit in Washington State, to be done this fall.</div>
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It was great to see them! Leaving DB2 in Prince Rupert, we had a terrific 10 day trip, cruising the beautiful BC waters around to Kittamat. From there we hitched a ride to Terrace, where we rented a car for the day to go and fetch the truck where we'd left her.</div>
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It really felt fantastic to be back on the water again, for the first time in at least 6 or 7 months. The salmon and halibut fishing was terrific, crabbing could hardly be beat, wildlife amazing, and life aboard Mystic Moon with mates John and Kathy was just simply great. It made us remember just how extraordinary the cruising is in the Pacific NW, and we know we'll enjoy it again one day on new Bravo. Here are a few shots of our time aboard Mystic.....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another sweet anchorage</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating in pea soup fog....ah, life in the Pacific NW!!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ7j-1SNxDqTcI1DShZhIWTTHnwTHWgseWlUuReVsGdyCbE8Oh6jb_GOqlABl4WMbrlMPjC4ELFbCtR3zRWgskaYy4I4YtllXyUAvlfgGNY-H71JU4DvsqtPJ2fjK0B9RGYygekv0bCi8/s1600/P7280863-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ7j-1SNxDqTcI1DShZhIWTTHnwTHWgseWlUuReVsGdyCbE8Oh6jb_GOqlABl4WMbrlMPjC4ELFbCtR3zRWgskaYy4I4YtllXyUAvlfgGNY-H71JU4DvsqtPJ2fjK0B9RGYygekv0bCi8/s640/P7280863-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">48 lb halibut, yielded 25 lbs of tasty fillets!!! (photo by Kathy)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile bald eagle</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6etNAWmosfSasy1CZq-U58-28KxAqHwmAsML9SPQQo6u9Vp6E6K-oV_h3mpvJ7DTqhrUXcrY6cB7xfG9oB5zpKJFX4YU8aUG5YWm2aOPGgww_4Tklvj6u0uJ2KYHXpRMDMAR8G4JVg2h/s1600/P7290890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1441" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6etNAWmosfSasy1CZq-U58-28KxAqHwmAsML9SPQQo6u9Vp6E6K-oV_h3mpvJ7DTqhrUXcrY6cB7xfG9oB5zpKJFX4YU8aUG5YWm2aOPGgww_4Tklvj6u0uJ2KYHXpRMDMAR8G4JVg2h/s640/P7290890.jpg" width="576" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WGUHjBEx5w_jTid4yGIcbuDOkZ2XhufzBanvwVeem1INREbNaOiefj1A25BLZIfvYGsx59nIB86mCeGaBXTkDqSFiuhs_5-EKCYSLecHhw5mTcZPl9qGUQYxFnfcyyD7Rj2JkUDSlyCO/s1600/P8010953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1600" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WGUHjBEx5w_jTid4yGIcbuDOkZ2XhufzBanvwVeem1INREbNaOiefj1A25BLZIfvYGsx59nIB86mCeGaBXTkDqSFiuhs_5-EKCYSLecHhw5mTcZPl9qGUQYxFnfcyyD7Rj2JkUDSlyCO/s640/P8010953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Came across this sweet fishing cabin on shore. Someone had sketched some native drawings on the walls inside, this one of an orca whale.</td></tr>
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The wildlife was amazing. Bears were often seen on the beach (here a mother with her three cubs). We heard wolves howling at night, but unfortunately didn't see any while we were there. And, of course, the whales were always a treat, often coming up close and personal, to be sure!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of sand hill cranes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers!!! Another halibut feast!!!</td></tr>
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All in all, a great 2 months in beautiful British Columbia!!! Saying our good byes to John and Kathy, we headed down the road towards the US border. We had a ferry to catch to get to our niece Elizabeth's wedding to Evan in Port Angeles!!! </div>
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Next, on to Wyoming.....</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-30296646314635077602019-09-18T09:28:00.000+12:002019-09-18T09:28:04.167+12:00Birth of a Boat.....getting close!It's been quite a while since we posted a progress report on the building in France of new BRAVO, a Boreal 52. Many of you have been asking, so here's the latest. She's now scheduled for completion towards the end of November. Since winter will be just arriving in Brittany, we've decided to actually launch and take delivery in late January/early February of next year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxsXZ2rl1nPHyZxTBjBo5TFgs11Ga6xEEnSAaJ6u5URLCy66g5zf57J6u4vQLRXBbpXN__F2MtkoFZtw1ssEvkuwDGLNxIP_26V8nVjfHAlUvCLY1N0iW6N-hEJNVIQU2bxKSBQz15EEI/s1600/IMG_20190513_143554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxsXZ2rl1nPHyZxTBjBo5TFgs11Ga6xEEnSAaJ6u5URLCy66g5zf57J6u4vQLRXBbpXN__F2MtkoFZtw1ssEvkuwDGLNxIP_26V8nVjfHAlUvCLY1N0iW6N-hEJNVIQU2bxKSBQz15EEI/s400/IMG_20190513_143554.jpg" width="400" /></a>When we last updated the construction shots, BRAVO was just heading out on a trailer for her road trip to the paint shop elsewhere in France. Painting took a couple of months over the winter due to weather (high humidity can ruin a paint job, especially on aluminum). So we'll pick up where we left off.....returning to the Boreal yard, and into the fabrication shop this past May.<br />
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With freshly painted decks (the topsides will remain bare aluminum) she settles in at her new home for the next several months of the build.<br />
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The yard takes great care to protect the decks as the work begins.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuo2kc5iIiUZ3JEqIhM19VOFMcxKIiC0MheK3639DMic1lFzC8TKsHPk2V3gS3T4MPRw0acEvIrMenp7kIYeY3eZReKYR1NDezGlKU8NuAAmQ1f9AZc2mwMX86m8dviW8w5tPERx2-qza/s1600/P6110047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuo2kc5iIiUZ3JEqIhM19VOFMcxKIiC0MheK3639DMic1lFzC8TKsHPk2V3gS3T4MPRw0acEvIrMenp7kIYeY3eZReKYR1NDezGlKU8NuAAmQ1f9AZc2mwMX86m8dviW8w5tPERx2-qza/s640/P6110047.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each boat has dedicated shelves holding all of the bits and equipment scheduled for installation by the team.</td></tr>
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Adam went over to France in June to review systems with the yard. Things were in full swing, and progress looked good<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3i1w8RfeXfo_7MnXr-Ojpn8EQ6u9u_gw0C_6vd4RbVt6QHkeaNjRw6DsiiG4QaeFyUdaDWU0wZ51GyzjoURxPBIQjeqi3Q4_N6vD_blCtrmADR_HTvNpkb7ETgF9BA_UkOVmlqCmj5Mpz/s1600/IMG_1501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1121" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3i1w8RfeXfo_7MnXr-Ojpn8EQ6u9u_gw0C_6vd4RbVt6QHkeaNjRw6DsiiG4QaeFyUdaDWU0wZ51GyzjoURxPBIQjeqi3Q4_N6vD_blCtrmADR_HTvNpkb7ETgF9BA_UkOVmlqCmj5Mpz/s640/IMG_1501.jpg" width="448" /></a>This is the team assigned to this build. At Adam's June visit, their pride in their work was evident!!! A great bunch of folks, led by Nathalie on the right. She is responsible for the boat through completion.<br />
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Here's where things were in June. A lot of piping, wiring, and insulation was in progress....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot water tank and fresh water manifold</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main wiring runs lead to the location of the future electrical panel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWfXKLAfcM5O9zdivCflCBnOIIDK7lFK8EwMG1fpWKwFUuVhcAF0SKMnMyJYZ03HMbV5YSO5inFsupyQcsfQ6UcW8YiH0LEE9pSYSl00PmnsS3A0xZA8uoDfkIJ2BO-Q6ZvvgxaX0NQvu/s1600/IMG_1515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWfXKLAfcM5O9zdivCflCBnOIIDK7lFK8EwMG1fpWKwFUuVhcAF0SKMnMyJYZ03HMbV5YSO5inFsupyQcsfQ6UcW8YiH0LEE9pSYSl00PmnsS3A0xZA8uoDfkIJ2BO-Q6ZvvgxaX0NQvu/s640/IMG_1515.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking aft, centerboard trunk at the right</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLDVY59WU4zI1pNJUcdCT8H0QP_4cbDJ4gcwBZV6JiLOZGqcxKXF1S7fJZ8FrTK4mF4zMC0Q8A3EtGUyQ4gW-2hnYi8iuTNmKLuhav84asT_diltiXaQYY78gEp25mzPoo2TSuPA-wAhS/s1600/P6110034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLDVY59WU4zI1pNJUcdCT8H0QP_4cbDJ4gcwBZV6JiLOZGqcxKXF1S7fJZ8FrTK4mF4zMC0Q8A3EtGUyQ4gW-2hnYi8iuTNmKLuhav84asT_diltiXaQYY78gEp25mzPoo2TSuPA-wAhS/s640/P6110034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3xUfQusHLiVOwDh2X-3TZDVl94dvn2YEaCUKT1fMCLhukcwL6XhdnBt3H_b2M-KpxzE7WFdUySVURQFfxi7666z-FNjS6zCEVZqI5zX762AFXqCbFJhoafM6bR_KGRHlhHnzDw3j91VS/s1600/P6110035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3xUfQusHLiVOwDh2X-3TZDVl94dvn2YEaCUKT1fMCLhukcwL6XhdnBt3H_b2M-KpxzE7WFdUySVURQFfxi7666z-FNjS6zCEVZqI5zX762AFXqCbFJhoafM6bR_KGRHlhHnzDw3j91VS/s640/P6110035.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hull is well insulated before the interior gets installed. Foam is used between the structural elements, and all of the structure is sprayed with a cork slurry mixture.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5MJkYhlpY5ZOO9bk88nf3qaicXazYrpWBW4vcFG-4Ek3dzvNjwupo1k1emMUcF1mhFZOmaqtOcOt3PY7dVe9GYF094YY4x9qmN9e8uumPirVl7N9_p8JlciXUrIH-aATIHmhyMKsmvU7/s1600/P6110038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5MJkYhlpY5ZOO9bk88nf3qaicXazYrpWBW4vcFG-4Ek3dzvNjwupo1k1emMUcF1mhFZOmaqtOcOt3PY7dVe9GYF094YY4x9qmN9e8uumPirVl7N9_p8JlciXUrIH-aATIHmhyMKsmvU7/s640/P6110038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkDkMeUubw6fAwrSu3dfxAibr_h-uDTsva91CGvLI8cNiMy82YkPFDPKjT4NI8mydLi2r-lpcJWneTwDMR_nbnTBZcAPPEk4BXEQ8-pBuYgkiOF-U_OXC0j25upsNW7MH7f5d7nCNWfvk/s1600/P6130053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkDkMeUubw6fAwrSu3dfxAibr_h-uDTsva91CGvLI8cNiMy82YkPFDPKjT4NI8mydLi2r-lpcJWneTwDMR_nbnTBZcAPPEk4BXEQ8-pBuYgkiOF-U_OXC0j25upsNW7MH7f5d7nCNWfvk/s640/P6130053.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from below. Epoxy undercoat below the waterline, to receive antifouling paint before launch. The hull will be sanded as well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw58DMycUdMzW5T2IrDxehH96Ia2kiw32-tpJu8EhW1gqyf-svfXL2Xgq2qjMC-Q3L0f_BK0mo4CLVVzOM8HgFgGC_1cb8VCwClx9TGKPcKVJvey7nerHuOrykTUY2VL-yUGa9tni2ao8/s1600/DSCN0720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw58DMycUdMzW5T2IrDxehH96Ia2kiw32-tpJu8EhW1gqyf-svfXL2Xgq2qjMC-Q3L0f_BK0mo4CLVVzOM8HgFgGC_1cb8VCwClx9TGKPcKVJvey7nerHuOrykTUY2VL-yUGa9tni2ao8/s640/DSCN0720.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davits will hold the dinghy and 4 solar panels as well as various antennas.</td></tr>
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After the engine was installed and the bulk of the major wiring and plumbing runs installed, the woodwork interiors were installed. Most of these photos are fairly current, so you can see there's been a lot of progress over the summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFnrvqVdmY6NT2y5H7nU0KEhgrGYX8dcZJLT3iEvkkC0locaZrpK9XJV5mm7lTf0-jRIGjvN_ta68KrLgG80Nt5LSDF3PaBMvzYAQxERLf9bOGtAgO8fH921dEiylaTj9LXtm1te4sJ8A/s1600/DSCN0722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFnrvqVdmY6NT2y5H7nU0KEhgrGYX8dcZJLT3iEvkkC0locaZrpK9XJV5mm7lTf0-jRIGjvN_ta68KrLgG80Nt5LSDF3PaBMvzYAQxERLf9bOGtAgO8fH921dEiylaTj9LXtm1te4sJ8A/s640/DSCN0722.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aft port cabin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFH4ni87NHxpclHuYj8bTzdDp7hHgzlfWLKPRD0foKzdd9oqYn-4CJNKtJueKRdkk-BBCQn2XIBdAqgt9Jxt4mYfh3jN3Lu0BHeVhJOoIV4K6rbAKE13W0rW_wP4qTloAN7MpfUUBtP1Y/s1600/DSCN0723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFH4ni87NHxpclHuYj8bTzdDp7hHgzlfWLKPRD0foKzdd9oqYn-4CJNKtJueKRdkk-BBCQn2XIBdAqgt9Jxt4mYfh3jN3Lu0BHeVhJOoIV4K6rbAKE13W0rW_wP4qTloAN7MpfUUBtP1Y/s640/DSCN0723.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aft starboard cabin, primarily for storage and electrical equipment.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT_XbKrRQNSFa0XbvKn_uegaoUQ3uz_MlRuvM57jg4opvAapBjUYUszdGHnoYVpzW0OrQUCoiIoCadToX5pHAlh0n2enu3CEs0N899G0fzCHJzk7nnbWcVaS_yH4uh02FNIzz1G0CWyCv/s1600/DSCN0724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT_XbKrRQNSFa0XbvKn_uegaoUQ3uz_MlRuvM57jg4opvAapBjUYUszdGHnoYVpzW0OrQUCoiIoCadToX5pHAlh0n2enu3CEs0N899G0fzCHJzk7nnbWcVaS_yH4uh02FNIzz1G0CWyCv/s640/DSCN0724.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main salon, looking forward</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcujJ1dRJpv7lvxmSobJyYvOcYoA135UjkgJFoeM6AhnM03Ndtk5wSJe9WVDCD0U0J2FEqnoHHUnoYKSVQH66x-IHyeCU4An8DZPDTwlLPnfhA841R2h8lB4Qq7yXbCCrisAhVqr9htZU/s1600/DSCN0725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcujJ1dRJpv7lvxmSobJyYvOcYoA135UjkgJFoeM6AhnM03Ndtk5wSJe9WVDCD0U0J2FEqnoHHUnoYKSVQH66x-IHyeCU4An8DZPDTwlLPnfhA841R2h8lB4Qq7yXbCCrisAhVqr9htZU/s640/DSCN0725.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gluing the stainless steel galley counter in place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeRKd2hqTApU8doNWkQij-teJOAMvyTfCAlwiQQr1KmFoDw_j00DXGYySkri8w4aDE3XB4oQh43NmIYcaC21y0j90TdYyW_siNPMXThMUFiUXpOolzdLpZ131kjiNX1h3FO9Mcw2atcyZ/s1600/DSCN0726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeRKd2hqTApU8doNWkQij-teJOAMvyTfCAlwiQQr1KmFoDw_j00DXGYySkri8w4aDE3XB4oQh43NmIYcaC21y0j90TdYyW_siNPMXThMUFiUXpOolzdLpZ131kjiNX1h3FO9Mcw2atcyZ/s640/DSCN0726.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward cabin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1K57Mh0fuk0mvNraOrQ5NsmhLkaXYjqm0LDiE6tqwNP5VGm3Qx9hY8hqc14KRGfNNhK5Z40LmR9P72Ph5b3UCLQVH0GOEyyweBhi9KihAlI8wQILssakFVvTMzQOd4dHuHzb54o8quxS/s1600/DSCN0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1K57Mh0fuk0mvNraOrQ5NsmhLkaXYjqm0LDiE6tqwNP5VGm3Qx9hY8hqc14KRGfNNhK5Z40LmR9P72Ph5b3UCLQVH0GOEyyweBhi9KihAlI8wQILssakFVvTMzQOd4dHuHzb54o8quxS/s640/DSCN0727.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward head and shower.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SmIGUSmU6hwylqDF0XVEGuOX3M4r0cm5z0_LEjdQnOz1HieuyzknYJrv4OsJeqpRKT5iVMKy6UmoW8pXeJbQumA0hXHevrQOHfsxcjeYhePSth3xGd1vUpGnFB3x4H89QOFiZ7dAyptv/s1600/DSCN0728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SmIGUSmU6hwylqDF0XVEGuOX3M4r0cm5z0_LEjdQnOz1HieuyzknYJrv4OsJeqpRKT5iVMKy6UmoW8pXeJbQumA0hXHevrQOHfsxcjeYhePSth3xGd1vUpGnFB3x4H89QOFiZ7dAyptv/s640/DSCN0728.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work bench, looking aft toward main salon/galley.</td></tr>
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While in Treguier, Adam had time for a bit of sight seeing one afternoon, so took a favorite drive along the Brittany coast. What a beautiful area. We can't wait to explore it from the water in the new boat this coming spring!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYI4Y_lX1eDsRZwcIri6kagA3SSGicgc8TP0dIJ8lOvf7PlBeOcXPiIS4uMvFiF9n1BlL9M8BS83Fxdb8CvCgbAIQhxYZPEWFf0j2v17YEau8BCwPq05AE_MoznaiAVHRTtQtwX2iWnsJ/s1600/P6130083-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYI4Y_lX1eDsRZwcIri6kagA3SSGicgc8TP0dIJ8lOvf7PlBeOcXPiIS4uMvFiF9n1BlL9M8BS83Fxdb8CvCgbAIQhxYZPEWFf0j2v17YEau8BCwPq05AE_MoznaiAVHRTtQtwX2iWnsJ/s640/P6130083-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherman hurries to get his boat out of the water before the squall hits.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-55131961699716864702019-09-17T13:28:00.000+12:002019-09-17T13:28:26.729+12:00Vancouver Island, pop top styleAfter our Oregon shakedown cruise in the truck, we headed north to Vancouver Island with friends David and Diana. They recently bought a pop top truck camper and truck as well, so were eager to get a bit of dirt on it as well.<br />
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Vancouver Island is a terrific place to explore. We knew it well from numerous trips over the years on BRAVO and our sea kayaks, but had never really explored inland. It's a huge area, over 12,400 square miles, with lots to see, including remote beaches, high mountains and glaciers, and old growth forest wilderness, all steeped in a rich maritime heritage and climate. Here we go.....into the rainforest.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2uJsOhG402OFAhCG8leV7osPdjJIOhy5-SPldApsj_ROJuww_XIzc8Ud06Pdq-L9R8WpJ8k3HGlEsQayP689iiChVUUDSzNRoa7n2mWgrqd-NNuI-IFy3BYvQk0pNqEfS-2He-q2aC5K/s1600/P5281488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2uJsOhG402OFAhCG8leV7osPdjJIOhy5-SPldApsj_ROJuww_XIzc8Ud06Pdq-L9R8WpJ8k3HGlEsQayP689iiChVUUDSzNRoa7n2mWgrqd-NNuI-IFy3BYvQk0pNqEfS-2He-q2aC5K/s400/P5281488.jpg" width="400" /></a>We came across this log carrier in one bay. We stopped along with several other gawkers, thinking it had run aground. It looked like the tide was going out, and it was starting to list to port. There were a couple of tugs milling around, we figured they were standing by to rescue the stricken ship. All of a sudden, with a huge roar, the logs all started to slide off the side of the ship into the water. The tugs corralled the logs into a log boom, and the ship slowly righted itself. It became obvious that it had dumped the logs intentionally, all in a days work. Amazing!<br />
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We headed north to Strathcona Provincial Park, in the central interior of the island. The park has beautiful mountains, glaciers, and streams, and we took advantage of some great hiking on some of the trails.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all were ready to cool tired dogs in the stream after a tough hike.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtTnLlBbeFdhvDOWvEwf4ZRtf8OIhfwNYr_0jQTLD6mRzoK5R-L7tDKU-kuyxa01wPXS_VicTLNZMD1xPwTRepj680tJS3mYQkrXRfWn_BcZhN6yDn4ofE5RQO357HSBRGTUDzwxBHP-7/s1600/P5311614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtTnLlBbeFdhvDOWvEwf4ZRtf8OIhfwNYr_0jQTLD6mRzoK5R-L7tDKU-kuyxa01wPXS_VicTLNZMD1xPwTRepj680tJS3mYQkrXRfWn_BcZhN6yDn4ofE5RQO357HSBRGTUDzwxBHP-7/s640/P5311614.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyQD0moGG6mcEWpU0QLO7jreaBM3-tIp5o3T6TGo23-FXgVJq7l4pVYFpcWsHDmWDdQQUZvzusNAKTx2WscsMX7uEC4xGipGyfXaTK4I8W6vlJ2BuRG4QLwiBPJdyccdZkAQYHmetUnJK/s1600/P6021622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1600" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyQD0moGG6mcEWpU0QLO7jreaBM3-tIp5o3T6TGo23-FXgVJq7l4pVYFpcWsHDmWDdQQUZvzusNAKTx2WscsMX7uEC4xGipGyfXaTK4I8W6vlJ2BuRG4QLwiBPJdyccdZkAQYHmetUnJK/s400/P6021622.jpg" width="400" /></a>Leaving Strathcona we headed north up to Cape Scott on the northern tip of the Island. Did a good hike through old growth forest out to the beach.<br />
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In spite of years of over logging, much of Vancouver Island is still wilderness. Though we never saw wolves or cougars, they were obviously around, as were bears, both grizzlies and black bears.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear vaults were provided for hikers to safely stash their food.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relics from logging days of the past, slowly being reclaimed by the forest. This one at Ronning's Garden.</td></tr>
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Vancouver has long been home to many tribes of indigenous people, or First Nations. We took the ferry over to Cormorant Island, for a visit to Alert Bay, a native island community of approx 1,300 people on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, between Port McNeil and Telegraph Cove. Cindi and I had visited Alert Bay some years ago by sea kayak, and were eager to return. <br />
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They have a fantastic museum, the U'Mista Cultural Center. Unfortunately it was closed on the day we were there, so we could only see the exhibits visible outside. Though the village has a certain forlorn quality to it, especially when visited on a classic Pacific Northwest overcast foggy day, we had a great day walking the island, and finding fine examples of indigenous artwork including beautiful totem carvings at the cemetery.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign in the ferry terminal men's room</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telegraph Cove</td></tr>
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Just before hopping aboard the ferry to leave Vancouver Island, we stopped in Victoria, on the south end of the island. It happened to be the day before the start of the main, 710 mile leg of the annual Race to Alaska, or R2AK. This race is a fairly grueling 750 mile voyage by any non-motorized boat, from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska. Teams attempt the race on everything from high tech racing sailboats to kayaks and stand up paddleboards. To deal with times of light or no wind, most of the serious sailing entries have bicycle powered propeller drives on the stern. Talking to the participants, they can get up to 2 knots of speed on some of the boats with their bike drives.</div>
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Though it is somewhat whacky, at least when compared to more traditional sailing ocean races, this can be a serious test of skill, navigation, and endurance. The first boat to finish gets a $10,000 prize, the second boat gets a set of steak knives, and that's it for the prizes! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This team from San Francisco ("Team Shut Up and Drive") could have 4 cyclists on the stern at once. They finished in 3rd place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year's winner, the all women's crew "Sail Like a Girl" was back to attempt a repeat performance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While most teams were joking around during their last minute preparations on the dock, Team Sail Like a Girl was all business! Though they didn't win this year, they still came in a very respectable 4th place.</td></tr>
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All in all, a great few weeks on Vancouver Island, before heading over to the mainland of British Columbia for several weeks. Stay tuned.....<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-76602035408519314482019-09-05T03:35:00.000+12:002019-09-05T03:35:12.092+12:00More Changes in Latitudes.......So, you might ask.....what the hell have the Bravo crew been up to for the last many months? We can hardly blame you loyal readers of this occasional blog for the rumors that we'd joined the Flat Earth Society and sailed over the edge! <br />
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Nah....didn't happen, though perhaps we were close a time or two. But there have been a few changes of note since we last posted.<br />
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The biggest by far is we have left Australia, at least for now. As most of you know, we've been eagerly awaiting the completion of our new boat in France, now planned for the end of this year. We thoroughly enjoyed the year that we spent land traveling in Oz a couple of years ago, and we decided to take a similar (???) trip in the US/Canada/Mexico. <br />
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<h3>
BRAVO report, old and new.....</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4MlpW-piJ3oW-kyZc4vnrrPHu5G-9aXBvUBjBK75l-9tMpDUaVxM2wfE8vLcSZO0RrFMqbyI6CLnnsU_cUaf2wZpKWcXg55khazygmlxClXEDcAM-wMATk-x44PGmKDo8AXy9o5qa1Ro/s1600/IMG_1209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4MlpW-piJ3oW-kyZc4vnrrPHu5G-9aXBvUBjBK75l-9tMpDUaVxM2wfE8vLcSZO0RrFMqbyI6CLnnsU_cUaf2wZpKWcXg55khazygmlxClXEDcAM-wMATk-x44PGmKDo8AXy9o5qa1Ro/s400/IMG_1209.jpg" width="400" /></a>Leaving our trusty BRAVO behind, for sale in the hands of a broker in Queensland was emotional, to say the least! Over the past 17 years she's been a remarkable magic carpet for us, taking us to places and introducing us to people and cultures we'd only imagined or read about. It's been a great ride indeed, and it was with moist eyes that we prepped her for sale, and said our goodbyes. Hopefully she'll find a next owner with a similar sense of adventure, who can take advantage of the incredible sailing machine that she's proven to be, for us and the previous two owners. More to follow.....<br />
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Meanwhile, at the Boreal yard in France, work continues on the build of new BRAVO. She was sent out to the paint shop for a few months over winter/spring, and when she returned to the yard, Adam went over for a few days in May to review systems. Things are coming along well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh from the paint shop, settling in for the next several months of fit-out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The work begins in the fabrication shop</td></tr>
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<h3>
On the road again!</h3>
So, what next? We landed from Oz back in Seattle, stayed with mates David and Diana, and bought a truck camper, a Hawk model by 4 Wheel Campers, and a truck, a 2011 Ford F-150. We think it's a great design...with the top down, it allows a pretty sweet off road ride, but pop it up, and it's got full head room, a small dinette, stove, sink, refrigerator, and even a king size bed!!! Even a hot water (outdoor) shower! Sweet as!!!<br />
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After fitting the truck with suspension air bags and new wheels and Bilstein shocks, we were ready to head out on a shake down cruise to the eastern Oregon high desert. It was April, and C-O-L-D.....20F degrees at night. We were happy that our new rig had a propane furnace...this is LUXURY camping indeed!!!<br />
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First stop was Hood River, where we had a nice visit with Cindi's cousin David and his partner Julie, and friends Steve and Tracy. Did a fun hike up the Columbia River gorge to check out the wildflowers, mainly arrow leaf balsam, which were in full bloom.<br />
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We had a great month in Oregon, exploring areas that we'd not visited in the past, even in the 7 years that I lived in Eugene back in the 70's. The south east Oregon high desert was beautiful in the spring, especially with no other tourists on the road, the trails, or the campgrounds.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steens mountain pass was still closed with snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Has to be the most remote, unlikely Tesla charging station anywhere!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herds of wild mustangs still roam the west</td></tr>
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We found some great hikes, here in Crack-in-the-Ground<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great to spend time with long time mates Mark and Vicki in Sisters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsh_WMhC-048ASQM5Owbl38xcem8Vf199h9beiiAuENMqaiPzLJxD4A1EvsNHecOAq-sV0OiCZkdhsJJAFV4p9xa7Yl2wPK9_WaNGO_QcN5Kfq5bpxzKrhpT28H1YLNqU9Z5A6A8d8i4b/s1600/P5051381-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsh_WMhC-048ASQM5Owbl38xcem8Vf199h9beiiAuENMqaiPzLJxD4A1EvsNHecOAq-sV0OiCZkdhsJJAFV4p9xa7Yl2wPK9_WaNGO_QcN5Kfq5bpxzKrhpT28H1YLNqU9Z5A6A8d8i4b/s640/P5051381-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crater Lake, mostly closed due to snow, is always beautiful</td></tr>
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After the desert, we headed west for the coast, where we spent a few days working our way north back up to Seattle for a quick regrouping.<br />
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Next up: Summer begins.......North to Canada, eh? <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-60425351682950586212018-08-16T17:43:00.001+12:002018-08-16T17:46:00.342+12:00New Caledonia - Take OneWe've been in New Caledonia for about a month now, arriving after a bit of an uncomfortable 6 day passage from Southport, Australia. Lots of squalls with winds into the mid 40 knot range, as well as a nasty 2 knot contrary current all conspired to make our arrival beer taste oh, so sweet!!!<br />
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<u>New Caledonia first impressions...</u><br />
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New Cal is an interesting place. As a French colony, or whatever its official designation is called, the capital and only big city, Noumea, has a very strong French influence....French wines, cheeses, pate, boulangeries, restaurants, etc. Not too shabby! The relationship of the French with the indigenous people (Kanak's), seems stable, and although there is an ongoing effort for independence from France, the French government does provide a good deal of financial assistance and subsidy. Nonetheless, we feel very little of the real warmth of the native people that we have over the past several years of cruising in Fiji and Vanuatu. We really miss that exchange. It is clear that underlying animosities do exist, and, especially with our inability to speak French, the subtleties are missed by us.<br />
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So it seems that cruising New Caledonia is more about the natural beauty of the lagoon formed by the barrier reef, the small islets, and the protection provided by the reef. The winter weather we're now experiencing is very spring like, with steady temperatures in the low to mid 70's F, and usual moderate SE trade winds blowing most of the time. So the country, about a week's sail from Australia, is a playground for Australian yachts and other tourists escaping the Aussie winter, much like the Caribbean is for the US. Grand Terre, the main island, is large, approximately 200 miles long. There are also three good sized islands, the Loyalty islands, on the east side of Grand Terre, which we have yet to visit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Sandwich "American style", means they put fries on it!!!<br />
Who knew???</td></tr>
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French is the spoken language, of which we speak basically zero, though Cindi's been making great strides!!! So it makes provisioning, repairs, and direction finding always an adventure. Google Translate and Maps are our friends when navigating the city.<br />
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Noumea has a comfortable vibe, with good access to most things we could need, with a few odd exceptions. Such as refill of our propane tanks.....they do not fill tanks in the country, just exchange. This works fine for locals, but not us, as our tanks are hardly the local standard. One guy in one of the main marinas, Port Moselle, offers to fill, but he does it with gravity instead of pumping the gas. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, our "big" tank would not fill, so we just have about 2 weeks left on the smaller tank. We have an adaptor to use little 1 pound disposable tanks with our system, the kind often used with soldering torches. So that becomes the new search.....to see if we can find any of these! All good fun.<br />
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While in Noumea we applied for our next 1 year Australian visas. These will take us through next June or so in Oz, when we'll depart for the next adventure with new Bravo, which should be ready in France in October 2019. The visa process is done on line, but must be done out of Australia. Adam's came back with a quick approval, but Cindi's required a medical exam including chest X-rays. (Last year, we both needed the medical exams). No worries, she got the exams, more paperwork, and voila, we're both legal for another year in Australia!<br />
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So, with waiting for the visas, doing some repairs to our B&G wind instruments, and just enjoying Noumea, we spent about 10 days in the city before heading out. <br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl5TFj5CYRV5Rtp3Z5D8K4K7chfBg_o_FOoljKA6Ala1wP7iIgCfYDE2-iRXN9KQq_udKQxbSifMMPIc5vzxOQvXQpE-cS5bpkuaWZGv2KwLrokJxf5mqRwRF4z5ihTJ8sYmL0vsSIiEj/s1600/IMG_0829+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1295" data-original-width="1600" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl5TFj5CYRV5Rtp3Z5D8K4K7chfBg_o_FOoljKA6Ala1wP7iIgCfYDE2-iRXN9KQq_udKQxbSifMMPIc5vzxOQvXQpE-cS5bpkuaWZGv2KwLrokJxf5mqRwRF4z5ihTJ8sYmL0vsSIiEj/s640/IMG_0829+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Seagull's eye view of Bravo</td></tr>
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Had a nice sail to a small island in the south lagoon, Isl Mato. Though the entry into its little lagoon looked pretty hairy, the charting was accurate and we had a google earth satellite photo, as well as help from the Rocket Guide, a cruising guidebook published by an expat cruiser. All good, we spent a couple of days here. A bit rainy, but the dramatic anchorage was pretty great anyway.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Isle Mato</td></tr>
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<u>Bay of Prony</u><br />
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On the way to Isle d Pines we detoured to Bay of Prony to do a bit of exploring and a couple of good hikes. The bottom is supposed to be fair holding but in deep red mud, so we were happy there were a couple of places where they offer public moorings. There was hardly anyone else around, so moorings were the way to go for a few days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQQZeFvqTIWWEVKeAjOdT8cTbd3ZB3QaYtjW-zc5HfiIi1FlIR2wrkc63R72qJLxIKyzaLQUtau2kqA3cVkP1iRbPuwKXWF42Vh_V2QxNrPYL5orPFD1xzzh3bC0tnxqGL2Grv873xFJM/s1600/P8010659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQQZeFvqTIWWEVKeAjOdT8cTbd3ZB3QaYtjW-zc5HfiIi1FlIR2wrkc63R72qJLxIKyzaLQUtau2kqA3cVkP1iRbPuwKXWF42Vh_V2QxNrPYL5orPFD1xzzh3bC0tnxqGL2Grv873xFJM/s640/P8010659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Saw some beautiful iridescent butterflies in the woods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Whale observation platform with great views of the south lagoon islands</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaJ5FFVYnNfVUsq9GedK-gdlj7vu2aTZcx-8M3GLc94eU8GbbThM9i_VNAVkCJVQlqBASD9PjdmCp75YZPaE8A3QlhoGS2Ec-7gP7RVjKwFtffsYB9-wKH63xAsLPgQgEbHcnN6NtGJXa/s1600/P8010721-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaJ5FFVYnNfVUsq9GedK-gdlj7vu2aTZcx-8M3GLc94eU8GbbThM9i_VNAVkCJVQlqBASD9PjdmCp75YZPaE8A3QlhoGS2Ec-7gP7RVjKwFtffsYB9-wKH63xAsLPgQgEbHcnN6NtGJXa/s640/P8010721-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Mooring in Anse Majik Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iUI1DWuxWK90C2Zp5lHhTRGv74-Zqxgez7j-YHGCVwOYkn5LfWvyjRUZ_z4O1qOjx6barHpfZfRV3dUqrbca3L6WFQR25WivI4E7cIxhiKQrBjNrsOJoWxw041iXR4yeexYyY8M7zD4L/s1600/P8020730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iUI1DWuxWK90C2Zp5lHhTRGv74-Zqxgez7j-YHGCVwOYkn5LfWvyjRUZ_z4O1qOjx6barHpfZfRV3dUqrbca3L6WFQR25WivI4E7cIxhiKQrBjNrsOJoWxw041iXR4yeexYyY8M7zD4L/s640/P8020730.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">New Caledonia is all about nickel mining, and Bay of Prony is no exception.</td></tr>
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Isle d Pines<br />
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When you mention to any cruiser that you're heading to New Caledonia, the first thing you hear is "Oh, you've GOT to go to Isle d' Pin". We were pretty keen to get there, so left Prony early one morning for the 50 mile beat through the south lagoon reefs to Kuto Bay, the main anchorage on the island. The route finding is fairly straightforward, and we had a good trip across. <br />
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New Caledonia, surrounded by the largest barrier reef in the world, is a major stopping point for humpback whales on their annual trip up from Antarctica. They arrive in late July/August, so we were really hoping to have some encounters. We were thrilled to see two whales on the passage, including one who breached a couple of times right near the boat, putting on a fantastic show! So hard to get the camera and photos in time, but here ya go...<br />
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We also had pods of dolphins at the bow several times, and fishing yielded a decent Spanish mackerel who spit the hook just as he was coming aboard. Ah well, mahi mahi is on the program next. (Though the fresh sashimi grade tuna at the Noumea fish market, at just 1300 CFP (approx $13 US) per kilo is hard to beat.....cheaper than lures, with our recent luck!!!)<br />
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We enjoyed Ile d Pin. Got in some fun 5 mile hikes up to the two highest peaks on the island (only about 250 mtrs), and did some diving with the local dive company. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Trail went from the Kuto anchorage on the left, up the peak behind us, and down the ridge to the right. A great walk with views the whole way!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Didn't need to get out our French phrase book to translate these!!! We got the guy's message and kept on walking. Guess he's had too many Amway sales people ring his bell.....</td></tr>
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<u>Diving</u><br />
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One of the dives that we did was absolutely spectacular...unexpectedly so. The dive guides dropped anchor right next to a very small island up north off of Isl d' Pin. They told us it would be a cave dive, but we had no idea how cool this would be. We were a bit apprehensive, as we have no cave diving expertise, and the thoughts of those poor kids in Indonesia immediately came to mind. But we were game to give it a go, and armed with lights we followed our dive master Nikko into the underwater entrance.<br />
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Portions of the cave were pitch dark, while in other areas we had beautiful shafts of sunlight coming down into the tunnels. Absolutely amazing. The dive shop said later that due to wind and sun, the caves are only dived about 15 times each year, and they chose this dive for us because all of the stars were aligning....<br />
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I didn't bring my underwater camera down, unfortunately, as it was our first day of diving since Vanuatu last year, and didn't want to hassle with all of the gear.....my bad, big time. So I stole a few shots off the internet, while good, hardly do the Grottes de Gadji any justice. Thanks to Kashiyama Hironori for posting them online.<br />
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Like Australia, New Caledonia's original European settlement was for use as a penal colony, in this case by the French. Isl d' Pin was one of the prisons, and some of the old buildings dating to the late 1800's are still standing, slowly being reclaimed by the jungle. We dropped by to investigate.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Entry to solitary confinement cell building</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Cindi checks out her new solitary cell.....no worries, fits ok!!!</td></tr>
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After about 10 days of hiking and diving in Isl d' Pin we headed back to Noumea, stopping again in Prony on the way. We've been in the marina for a few days reprovisioning, and will head north in the lagoon tomorrow for another jaunt. Our good mates Bruce and Jody from s/v CaVa have just arrived from Fiji, so will share a few anchorages together.<br />
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New BRAVO update: the aluminum has been ordered, and is at the CNC cutting shop. The pallet loads of numbered pieces will be delivered to the Boreal yard in early September for fabrication to begin.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Noumea, New Caledonia-22.2710727 166.44164590000003-22.388631200000003 166.28028440000003 -22.1535142 166.60300740000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-35932755325786650892018-07-09T17:34:00.000+12:002018-07-09T17:35:18.509+12:00Tasmanian UpdateWell, it's been too long. Yikes!!! We actually returned from Tassie a few months ago.....before our trip to Europe. So we thought we'd take this opportunity, while waiting for a weather window to head to New Caledonia, to share a bit of our Tasmanian travels. We left Sydney on a beautiful day, heading south on a perfect spinnaker run down the coast. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR7LWHqOVMZ7b-KCrvfNzTQgs1tDmAtUpUY9frDahK39PGF6qcrLJPsXt7OwwJEBfsFysRUNxF0qFuZvPVhY3Zcoe0jves4vK1iq71jF_T8jk5e-fSHT2QYYoJejW9qDSH0JlMq-Ll7Rx/s1600/IMG_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR7LWHqOVMZ7b-KCrvfNzTQgs1tDmAtUpUY9frDahK39PGF6qcrLJPsXt7OwwJEBfsFysRUNxF0qFuZvPVhY3Zcoe0jves4vK1iq71jF_T8jk5e-fSHT2QYYoJejW9qDSH0JlMq-Ll7Rx/s640/IMG_0215.jpg" width="358" /></a>With 3+ knots of current with us, the miles flew by<br />
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Finally, after a surprisingly mellow four day crossing of the Tasman Sea, we made landfall at Wineglass Bay at dawn...what a treat to drop the pick in Tasmania and watch the sun come up before anchor beers and a good sleep!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were anchored at the little spit across the bay from here to try to get some protection from the swells...didn't happen!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hIpV5QMiNCenW3k0wusgAD5XhBAn2_VVKapJ9N7wJkT46qx2Zfbi5jcxqCim5YgXskkqmSvgHv6XgZrHSAuF81H79ual1LPDSDMNiNoZkhuxvzD3uoZMgzaUrlK6WN9NV4JY2udmTgAV/s1600/P2050242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1600" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hIpV5QMiNCenW3k0wusgAD5XhBAn2_VVKapJ9N7wJkT46qx2Zfbi5jcxqCim5YgXskkqmSvgHv6XgZrHSAuF81H79ual1LPDSDMNiNoZkhuxvzD3uoZMgzaUrlK6WN9NV4JY2udmTgAV/s400/P2050242.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
We'd been to Tasmania a year before with our trusty old land cruiser, but this was our first sail down here. Wineglass, though gorgeous, was a rolly anchorage, and we didn't spend too much time there. Besides, we were eager to sail to Hobart, to meet up with good Seattle mates David and Diana, veterans of several joint Bravo adventures.<br />
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We rented a couple of camper vans and hit the road to do some fantastic backpacking and hiking around this terrific southern Australian state. Some we had hit the previous year, other spots were new to all of us, but all were a great time. In no particular order, here are some highlights:<br />
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<u>Freycinet Peninsula</u><br />
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With its beautiful beaches, and Wineglass Bay hiking, this is just a fantastic intro to Tasmania. <br />
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<u>Walls of Jerusalem</u></div>
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We saddled up the rigs and headed to Walls of Jerusalem, a fantastic national park, with terrific alpine hiking. We did a three day backpack into the park. Perfect weather (rare) made this an exceptional hike. The only mishap except for sore knees and blistered feet was the night that a possum chewed his way into our tent and pushed his front feet and head in before we chased the rascal out.....got a bit of adrenalin pumping, and left a nice hole in the tent!!! Most animals in Australia, we've learned, will kill you if they get half a chance, so I guess the little bastard let us off easy!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit ridge rock hopping. Much of the hiking was above tree line this far south</td></tr>
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<u>Bay of Fires</u><br />
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We drove around the north east coast, camping in some sweet beach camps along the way. <br />
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Into the World of Opium...<br />
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We couldn't visit Tasmania without seeing our Tasmanian mates Merve and Trudy who live in Longford. Had a fun couple of days with them. Merve just retired from the opium business, where he ran his harvester when the poppies were ready to pick. (Trivia bonus question: Where is the world's largest crop of legal opium poppies grown? Tasmania, of course!!!). We had a fun visit to a field being harvested, and learned a lot of the inside story of opium, Tassie style!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tUM_oyI-JD5D9Gz645M1zylpG5y7dxJ55aDuXaSf6c9N3eGKOtitXcMdz9wakDMdX7oX0i8cR-AB8SiklVk2K_uaiMLYFUkZMMlF_jBIJEYVEsWlpTXCzOpF2W29ewN6IdEepIv5Odfb/s1600/P2040218-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tUM_oyI-JD5D9Gz645M1zylpG5y7dxJ55aDuXaSf6c9N3eGKOtitXcMdz9wakDMdX7oX0i8cR-AB8SiklVk2K_uaiMLYFUkZMMlF_jBIJEYVEsWlpTXCzOpF2W29ewN6IdEepIv5Odfb/s640/P2040218-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tbe men and their machine!</td></tr>
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<u>Mt. Fields National Park</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrATApdLgfpCMeb-6b_3Pz_VZqrbUJszoWv2X6vgQmEhg_E5C2qddbZHsYFuw5fBhPG89jeCEWTOVhYE2QOGsmXwNfjqOuGeWd2BVSsOjZT72miAIcAOpBW319qczdsYZRDr7sKlgXxmFM/s1600/P2070350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrATApdLgfpCMeb-6b_3Pz_VZqrbUJszoWv2X6vgQmEhg_E5C2qddbZHsYFuw5fBhPG89jeCEWTOVhYE2QOGsmXwNfjqOuGeWd2BVSsOjZT72miAIcAOpBW319qczdsYZRDr7sKlgXxmFM/s400/P2070350.jpg" width="400" /></a>Heading west, we paid a visit to Mt. Fields. Though the weather was a bit more Tasmania-like, we got in some good hiking in the mist around the old ski fields.<br />
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We came across an old ski cabin. It was a club cabin, and all the old gear had been left intact, like an old leather boot and climbing skin time capsule...Very cool to poke around<br />
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It was a bit of a soggy hike!<br />
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<u>Corinna, the Tasmanian Rainforest</u><br />
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Our final exploration with David and Diana was back in the Hobart area, on the coast near Port Arthur. There was some dramatic coast hiking to be found at Cape Raoul!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Bruny Island lighthouse</td></tr>
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After a few weeks of land exploring, we sadly said our good byes to D&D, and loaded Bravo back up to check out more of Tasmania by water. It really reminds us of our home turf, the US and Canadian Pacific Northwest. Beautiful cruising grounds, with lots of little bays and gunk holes to discover.<br />
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That about wraps up our Tasmanian junket earlier this year. We had a good sail back north to Sydney. Took a bit longer due to that East Australian current on the nose. We enjoyed Pittwater in the off season, much more laid back than at Christmas and New Years. Then hopped up to Yamba for a wonderful visit with cruising mates Lionel and Irene from s/y Kiapa. They've bought a really outstanding B&B, (https://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/nsw/northern-rivers-byron-bay/yamba/4937325). If you're looking for an Aussie getaway, you can't do better!<br />
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We've just completed a quick haul out here on the Gold Coast for anti foul and a few other odds and ends. Now in Southport, we're looking good to clear out and sail to New Caledonia tomorrow. Looks like a decent weather window, and we should arrive in about a week. We plan to spend about three months in New Cal, supposed to be some beautiful diving. Then "lather, rinse, repeat".....(sail back to Australia before cyclone season arrives). Cheers!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-14549409478086435932018-05-10T20:47:00.000+12:002018-05-10T20:47:55.164+12:00Changes in Latitudes.....OK, so this delayed blog posting mode is starting to seem like a habit.....it's one we'll try to break. We still owe you a post on Tasmania, where we spent January through March.....coming soon to a theater near you, stay tuned.....<br />
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In the meantime, we've sailed back to the Sydney area (now in Pittwater harbor area, just north of Sydney). And then we've just returned from a 2 week whirlwind trip to Europe; France and the Netherlands, to be exact. 21 hours flying time each way, plus 3200 km of driving while there!!! Not purely a joy ride.<br />
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So, if not a joy ride, then what the hell? Well, as some of you know, for the past several months, we've started to look at changing boats. BRAVO has been a fantastic ride for us, taking everything we've thown of her with grace. She's a strong, capable cruising boat (stronger and more capable than us, I'd say!!!). But after the past 8 years cruising in some of the most beautiful tropical waters of the world, we have developed a hankering for some higher latitude explorations. (read: COLD!)<br />
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And that has lead to discussions about the best boat for the job. Countless hours chatting with Mr. Google, and discussions with friends, and sailors on various forums have led us to some new parameters which BRAVO simply doesn't offer. Our "big 4" became distilled down to:<br />
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<li>Aluminum construction vs fiberglass: Aluminum offers the best resistance to damage, whether from ice, coral, rock, or simply tying up next to a manky old fishing boat.</li>
<li>Centerboard instead of deep keel: We'd like the ability to explore some of the shallower anchorages, rivers, and atolls of the world without constant concern about how skinny is the water beneath us!</li>
<li>Interior helm position: Especially in cold, rainy climates, standing watches outside while sailing gets old fast. We'd like the ability to steer and navigate from the comfort of a dry interior pilot house or "raised deck saloon"</li>
<li>Good visibility to the outdoors from the interior spaces. In traditional sailboats such as BRAVO, the interior can feel a bit "cave-like", both while underway and at anchor. We got spoiled while aboard friends Graham and Diane's lovely MAUNIE, with the ability to have a great view out while sitting below.</li>
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Of course, after 8 years of full-time cruising we have other design goals in a "new" boat related to rig and hull design, systems, interior layouts, etc, but these became our "big 4". With these in mind, we've been searching hard on the internet for a boat which fits the bill. And to our disappointment, none exists on the used market.....really! If we would take 3 of the 4, say, stay with fiberglass instead of aluminum, no problema. Or give up the interior helm position, piece of cake! But we could not find any on the used market which offered all 4.<br />
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That led to online viewing of new boats.....what is out there, where are they built and by who, and what does it cost to play the game? It became apparent that Europe is where these boats happen. Especially the French and the Dutch are masters at designing and building the types of boats that we were after. We narrowed it down to three excellent yards, one in Holland (KM Yachts and their "Bestevaer" line designed by architect Gerard Dykstra, famous for many ocean race yachts and the "Maltese Falcon"....(google it !!!), Garcia yachts, with a fine history of aluminum boat construction, and now building Jimmy Cornell's "Exploration" series, and a small yard in Brittany, Boreal, owned by two Belgian high latitude sailors with 20 trips to Patagonia and Antarctica between them!<br />
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There's only so much you can absorb by reading, looking at photos, and drooling, so it became time for a trip to see these boats in person. All had aspects that we found appealing, and we were eager to get aboard and even test sail if possible. So off we went, flying to Paris via Abu Dhabi, where we we picked up our car for the two week odyssey.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Tulip season just beginning</td></tr>
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Leaving Paris, we headed up to Holland, spending a few days to get to our first boat yard.<br />
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We enjoyed the little Dutch fishing village, Urk. (how would you pronounce it??? !!!)<br />
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Took a couple of days driving up to Makuum, near Amsterdam and had the good fortune to get to KM's annual "Open Day", where they invite many of their owners to bring their yachts to their "birthplace" and put them on display. Especially for KM, a fully custom yard building yachts from plans of several top architects, this was a great opportunity to view the various boats, talk to their owners, and get a feel for how the yard operates.<br />
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The boats are beautiful, and the folks who build them couldn't be nicer. With a sort of modern pilot house iteration of traditional channel cutter aesthetic, we liked the quality of both the design and construction. The raw aluminum hulls are almost industrial looking, with a real no-nonsense feel. The Bestevaer was initially designed as Dykstra's own boat, and sister ships have explored every remote region of the globe, from Antarctica to Greenland.<br />
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Though the basic hulls are similar, the interiors vary greatly, as each was built to spec for a particular owner. Some are modern down below, some more traditional. Some have water ballast tanks, some don't. And on it goes. But the quality is always very good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Bestevaer 49, "Zenith" on left, just launched, and a 45 on the right</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">"Zenith"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Interior of "Zenith"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Bestaever 45 hull before sheathing and rolling over</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Nifty machine to form compound curves into the sheathing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Cindi checks out the rudder of 80' "Tulip"<br />
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After the "Open Day" we rented bikes and had a great time riding around the town of Makkum, checking out the harbor and traditional Dutch sailing designs<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Sheep tend the grass on the dykes</td></tr>
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We then drove back to France, past Paris, stopping with a visit in Dunkirk, and up to Brittany, and the coastal city of Cherbourg, home of ferries to England and Ireland. We were here to visit Garcia, a well known yard recently acquired by Grand Large yachting (!!!!), a conglomerate builder now making Alures, Outremer, Gunboat, Garcia, and likely a few others. We were interested in their Exploration 52, a larger version of the boat that Jimmy Cornell recently took through the NW Passage. The design is unique, with its interior helm position pushed to the front of the main cabin for good visibility in bad weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19MPHDbMUL_VHk8rhWy42dIxLmztvlqCPfB8Uqsnkthkbn9eILgkUbWFaO8S14gfSKqMqptDFSEwdZbKUVFnNHgZlT9VhMmd0tPkFM9IxNMmvY1c4aeOvGI-uk4gd7Gk-5oPviFuxqek0/s1600/P4240198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19MPHDbMUL_VHk8rhWy42dIxLmztvlqCPfB8Uqsnkthkbn9eILgkUbWFaO8S14gfSKqMqptDFSEwdZbKUVFnNHgZlT9VhMmd0tPkFM9IxNMmvY1c4aeOvGI-uk4gd7Gk-5oPviFuxqek0/s640/P4240198.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Hopping aboard the Exploration 52</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XgKiKvXtX97dIKM1NY5Z9mlF4sv9Vio5CflsLDZ1eqYWwF2eI_oUv4xNAkAyLCabKidh99NCZESItUpc3CL9XWIIk9N1CCrT9sL707JQxNfVvqISrSIl-OPa5mwN8SLkIs303uUH9Y-u/s1600/P4240199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XgKiKvXtX97dIKM1NY5Z9mlF4sv9Vio5CflsLDZ1eqYWwF2eI_oUv4xNAkAyLCabKidh99NCZESItUpc3CL9XWIIk9N1CCrT9sL707JQxNfVvqISrSIl-OPa5mwN8SLkIs303uUH9Y-u/s640/P4240199.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvVGw2Pp8y1sGR2aagKjmIqjk3afxBs2F0tqRVx5JT4wWzPrA8h2UbPiBPCLvnupuT0pm3yeOc6gdcGo11SATz2rt0p8PlBy1xDQH_wnijs3z4FbGL2LO9WsnU_9-3QjkiqP469cupvTw/s1600/P4240174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvVGw2Pp8y1sGR2aagKjmIqjk3afxBs2F0tqRVx5JT4wWzPrA8h2UbPiBPCLvnupuT0pm3yeOc6gdcGo11SATz2rt0p8PlBy1xDQH_wnijs3z4FbGL2LO9WsnU_9-3QjkiqP469cupvTw/s640/P4240174.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">A 52 under construction</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9QaQeA6q7lVADUBBt_wuORybhiUgJhCfO31heVBasBPd8Y_oWxL0aSDGYK1TITxbJn9-BKPWsiB_9y4l4XWgj0btaMUztjP47unn5OjTC6IQYWEyUKaIjqF8L03q0zCYQZOD72caI2-0/s1600/P4240190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9QaQeA6q7lVADUBBt_wuORybhiUgJhCfO31heVBasBPd8Y_oWxL0aSDGYK1TITxbJn9-BKPWsiB_9y4l4XWgj0btaMUztjP47unn5OjTC6IQYWEyUKaIjqF8L03q0zCYQZOD72caI2-0/s640/P4240190.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJoMmG9iNayQ368Zb3k7wUMNVpKJCTo206nGBJnPQIAK5MorAhnhXMsiNxJfeqJw2SDci5jnbRzp5tgcyStSb4oHpyuCGopDzCPwUwPjRY1tjArAzaLdD2kN7LETgU-CWSJqxrM2KxHe8/s1600/P4240196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJoMmG9iNayQ368Zb3k7wUMNVpKJCTo206nGBJnPQIAK5MorAhnhXMsiNxJfeqJw2SDci5jnbRzp5tgcyStSb4oHpyuCGopDzCPwUwPjRY1tjArAzaLdD2kN7LETgU-CWSJqxrM2KxHe8/s640/P4240196.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">And the finished products....note the interior helm at the forward end of the salon for visibility</td></tr>
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After Cherbourg we saddled up and headed off to the little French village of Treguier, in the NW corner of France.<br />
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A really sweet, historic French town (our B&B hotel was built in the 1200's !!!), Treguier is home to Boreal Yachts, builders of boats from 44 to 55 feet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqSHlBOGXl6i6FLbMTYECaWGzKYn_JiISd0x14AUNUB1GBq3OXib7Crig3nUhlDTCWzK497ldW9W-NSz0ciBnX5iBLlYsUcmP9GiGBZBrtZ5_YABoV-ZEKEdHN0yo4iWj0elYBWpGRjBk/s1600/OX9242U5Qga1lzTKCYa7Nw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqSHlBOGXl6i6FLbMTYECaWGzKYn_JiISd0x14AUNUB1GBq3OXib7Crig3nUhlDTCWzK497ldW9W-NSz0ciBnX5iBLlYsUcmP9GiGBZBrtZ5_YABoV-ZEKEdHN0yo4iWj0elYBWpGRjBk/s400/OX9242U5Qga1lzTKCYa7Nw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Boreal 47 awaiting her new owners</td></tr>
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All were designed by sailor and naval architect Jean Francois Delvoye, partners in the business with Jean Francois Eeman. They met several years ago, when both were sailing in Patagonia, and decided to form the company. Now the growing small yard builds around 10-12 boats each year on a "semi custom" basis, all designed to explore the far corners of the world. We had a terrific visit with both Jean Francois', and got to spend time with several owners whose Boreal's were down in the town marina. All were thrilled with the performance of the boats and the yard, which much like KM has developed a cult like following.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOAaOqrL3z0dF0v_HLpGCkY5sD7zr8tFw_R4_tTVO_jLIESkOLxUCurQh7K4ZPrE_I4cJukAq6KEb7zLPRi5bED6flf54p-yNHkskmoLfc50Sl6BisbAlOWBz7oHyrjaZaqsInCNmcGGW/s1600/l0o6y7W%2525S8%252BPw6Q0Rrl%2525JA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOAaOqrL3z0dF0v_HLpGCkY5sD7zr8tFw_R4_tTVO_jLIESkOLxUCurQh7K4ZPrE_I4cJukAq6KEb7zLPRi5bED6flf54p-yNHkskmoLfc50Sl6BisbAlOWBz7oHyrjaZaqsInCNmcGGW/s640/l0o6y7W%2525S8%252BPw6Q0Rrl%2525JA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Boreal 47</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXX_4266ncGmS2AugsMW4_h2F-C0wsvevycAJnosYh8DJBiKAzJ9tQeMKnC4t1OhnsuD9u8IR7JZ2QW6gZuwd7pcg7HZrB-b7wf4TYgeJlfj6sF_5XQYCYKhyphenhyphennEAaYDiYqFlvAIl9puQk/s1600/P4260206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXX_4266ncGmS2AugsMW4_h2F-C0wsvevycAJnosYh8DJBiKAzJ9tQeMKnC4t1OhnsuD9u8IR7JZ2QW6gZuwd7pcg7HZrB-b7wf4TYgeJlfj6sF_5XQYCYKhyphenhyphennEAaYDiYqFlvAIl9puQk/s400/P4260206.jpg" width="400" /></a>Construction of the Boreal's are done in the small factory close to town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHfVGzT0R1kmlM5cW4l5fpDyz_A7zP96b60L5xUl2Dm1CWL3aGh0JDn66WZDnnwX6otNjqbLKt6m9m5YdlryRcwUJwIWcl0tbWaTvC2dvZE1wVifrp531inYEfU3L-EfIf230P0R6hitE/s1600/P4260222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHfVGzT0R1kmlM5cW4l5fpDyz_A7zP96b60L5xUl2Dm1CWL3aGh0JDn66WZDnnwX6otNjqbLKt6m9m5YdlryRcwUJwIWcl0tbWaTvC2dvZE1wVifrp531inYEfU3L-EfIf230P0R6hitE/s640/P4260222.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">After cutting by computer (CNC), the aluminum pieces are ready for fabrication</td></tr>
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Like all of these boats, the Boreal hulls are built upside down, then turned upright to complete.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn-KlmQ5zBexU7FJaJYVVeb2yMpMhUtpgpHUIVkFEFdEhdZ5XDnSxz3JTHiMTZYkO5d72PpriUE93VVqvRoTTo7cl7oqdEsa2lZ7Y6tiiRmPDPq57Vrw17XROcO6fkkB4iHQkEAesEbrI/s1600/P4260210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn-KlmQ5zBexU7FJaJYVVeb2yMpMhUtpgpHUIVkFEFdEhdZ5XDnSxz3JTHiMTZYkO5d72PpriUE93VVqvRoTTo7cl7oqdEsa2lZ7Y6tiiRmPDPq57Vrw17XROcO6fkkB4iHQkEAesEbrI/s640/P4260210.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">The red is penetrating dye, applied to all hull and tank welds to test integrity</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1ePeRqW-FVVw-OMk3QPv8712-5_7VGhsSxnf-uN2H4bgIMrYwJPDUb9blK_8772AJuXpqvxjsei7qJ6h6f3gp3-DXMEOPxigbQh-6tcmasmiH7gLRjZH3Dsf0ROg4nmZbUcNk5GZpf4Q/s1600/P4260213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1ePeRqW-FVVw-OMk3QPv8712-5_7VGhsSxnf-uN2H4bgIMrYwJPDUb9blK_8772AJuXpqvxjsei7qJ6h6f3gp3-DXMEOPxigbQh-6tcmasmiH7gLRjZH3Dsf0ROg4nmZbUcNk5GZpf4Q/s640/P4260213.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Transom of a 47. (The transoms of the 47's and 55's are "stretched" versions of the 44 and 52, with a sugar scoop transom like this one adding the extra 3 feet to the basic hull)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Dr0F_VtPdQ4D47OabytPa6YJ-CIicdP8TZrYCjJPZ4znhK8SZ2KXfsHwcb7XQ9G2r0N3B_u4eSzux6wHhIF0rEQG54zFruSEk6JlorX46Elq2GzRkBMA-nwSQ2JyK74Cc70wcNP61oPw/s1600/P4260219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Dr0F_VtPdQ4D47OabytPa6YJ-CIicdP8TZrYCjJPZ4znhK8SZ2KXfsHwcb7XQ9G2r0N3B_u4eSzux6wHhIF0rEQG54zFruSEk6JlorX46Elq2GzRkBMA-nwSQ2JyK74Cc70wcNP61oPw/s640/P4260219.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Comparison of the 2 different transom designs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjPFriL9gWdNUulg15hGrlMWaUPN44jgQplL5T9otOk7NWJewril3u29ZHdAeGr_lBIHD69wc2pOEN_iUfpFtSvbrwOdwjoFij3wsCFpHk8ow0UTDJNzRwqcRkV74OxpGahE9SeCsuJDo/s1600/P4260223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1352" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjPFriL9gWdNUulg15hGrlMWaUPN44jgQplL5T9otOk7NWJewril3u29ZHdAeGr_lBIHD69wc2pOEN_iUfpFtSvbrwOdwjoFij3wsCFpHk8ow0UTDJNzRwqcRkV74OxpGahE9SeCsuJDo/s640/P4260223.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Centerboard of a 44</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKansCWUd6Ya9i7xUKioxjx7JN_EDNae1HISoqXGMhtyCfiky8LqVOqgqM1PA89U416Axs8IMjgG6gkzlm5-39qITUFPmWH_yYTa8tw16IWEeEFjYMW3HvAjKfXyNe4LCuql_i8T0eQXl/s1600/P4260226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKansCWUd6Ya9i7xUKioxjx7JN_EDNae1HISoqXGMhtyCfiky8LqVOqgqM1PA89U416Axs8IMjgG6gkzlm5-39qITUFPmWH_yYTa8tw16IWEeEFjYMW3HvAjKfXyNe4LCuql_i8T0eQXl/s640/P4260226.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Boreal 55 on the left, 47 on right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ATaCmrM-infRcBPvgsUoSKDjnyrx1pArjEID2tRNRKQvXPZDTgsw83fDM-tMMNMOcjUUM3KoiT9MJP5iklwPJVQ_NSkXjsRyOE7idVGH2Hj9-cks1XlGvigY9-QplC8qJ6EmamNOc2Ey/s1600/P4260229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ATaCmrM-infRcBPvgsUoSKDjnyrx1pArjEID2tRNRKQvXPZDTgsw83fDM-tMMNMOcjUUM3KoiT9MJP5iklwPJVQ_NSkXjsRyOE7idVGH2Hj9-cks1XlGvigY9-QplC8qJ6EmamNOc2Ey/s640/P4260229.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Enormous stern locker on the 55, similar on all 4 boats. Designed originally to hold a 150cc motorbike, the locker, behind a watertight bulkhead, allows great access to steering gear, as well as all kinds of other stuff, including a dive compressor!!!</td></tr>
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Interiors<br />
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Boreal basically makes four different yachts. The 44 and the 52, and the 47 and 55, which are basically the same boats as their smaller twins, but with a sugar scoop transom. Though the two sets of twins are very similar, obviously the 52/55 offers more volume and amenities. Unfortunately there were no 52/55's at a finished stage for us to compare, so these photos are all of the 47, Jean Francois' personal boat, a beauty!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYDm8nNS2gMJECj0U1mvHD5XSNaNh5hswMLdJeYllrpxYKOtw441tFzqYtWa0u8VMFoAE6oc6uwSKBrS-1_DIw9FxZXpWi7OpI2XDdtNElujw6gFEM9skA6PubcaK0WOjI2NuhcKhLb21/s1600/P4270230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="1600" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYDm8nNS2gMJECj0U1mvHD5XSNaNh5hswMLdJeYllrpxYKOtw441tFzqYtWa0u8VMFoAE6oc6uwSKBrS-1_DIw9FxZXpWi7OpI2XDdtNElujw6gFEM9skA6PubcaK0WOjI2NuhcKhLb21/s640/P4270230.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">The "doghouse". Perfect for standing watch on a cold night!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IXw-OGxqawkRFFWwVl9pIue-FaK9K71T-qy7oIqRXJu5BZA6PMyZX7bV-h6SZsbT-FI0UysAAH6LpiNenIXlop0YIQpFKoEataI-wXdzjmoHzEjC_qO72a1jn8Wvj4Mu6IVjy_xmXBA_/s1600/P4270231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IXw-OGxqawkRFFWwVl9pIue-FaK9K71T-qy7oIqRXJu5BZA6PMyZX7bV-h6SZsbT-FI0UysAAH6LpiNenIXlop0YIQpFKoEataI-wXdzjmoHzEjC_qO72a1jn8Wvj4Mu6IVjy_xmXBA_/s640/P4270231.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">View to below from the doghouse. Jean Francois in his favorite seat!!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWxc2YwC-1FIQ9GU8u6ON3sStqSq9K8ZV5GvnK8OGqTXzBFSfMYjGy0zrmZdnFDWjQFQ8nJfGtMSdyxuamcy_riERXFKuIP_gxtEH241Mq9W1OCIfi4F0_QBmXZPYEiSl-q7Yp1oHJErl/s1600/P4270235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWxc2YwC-1FIQ9GU8u6ON3sStqSq9K8ZV5GvnK8OGqTXzBFSfMYjGy0zrmZdnFDWjQFQ8nJfGtMSdyxuamcy_riERXFKuIP_gxtEH241Mq9W1OCIfi4F0_QBmXZPYEiSl-q7Yp1oHJErl/s640/P4270235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Forward stateroom</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-f74ajj_3aS5c0EADnhvICfVKjs13_JYEMhPEo2vrpjs_QkV0xOgFQt6hKwvpfhRa6vQRR2OV2mUzKpesG1byK2GI_rw5dBFe1eDbHOXVUpoJM26aYLnb_zgkrCPkkFmXrqRE7Ew7Ir6/s1600/P4270238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-f74ajj_3aS5c0EADnhvICfVKjs13_JYEMhPEo2vrpjs_QkV0xOgFQt6hKwvpfhRa6vQRR2OV2mUzKpesG1byK2GI_rw5dBFe1eDbHOXVUpoJM26aYLnb_zgkrCPkkFmXrqRE7Ew7Ir6/s640/P4270238.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48eK-2iRsa7axjAaUE9pg9-8MgARXf_0BFmP0YatmDPASVIzZw0IsUImvCZYG_kkgAAJexS3RmG4vF1iTsbfyquUg6LrUbQp3htNg4UIjI-ZWVzG3MxyqITVhP4Qo8ymMdEaxtJkTT71s/s1600/P4270245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48eK-2iRsa7axjAaUE9pg9-8MgARXf_0BFmP0YatmDPASVIzZw0IsUImvCZYG_kkgAAJexS3RmG4vF1iTsbfyquUg6LrUbQp3htNg4UIjI-ZWVzG3MxyqITVhP4Qo8ymMdEaxtJkTT71s/s640/P4270245.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">The two aft staterooms can be either twin bunks like this, or double berth. We likely would get one of each, using the double for guests, and this layout above, with cushions replaced by plastic storage totes, as a storeroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrngEOhm91ccjicOgSvtAZuTABImVSUefkmQOkH_fe4xkasxZjIRrS1Pljp4-C0138gVL7w4Z8pKm0pMpvmkmPzW5FSoOBwTjJ-9H7c0oBqjfbBTUHEPCkGU7Zy9xasfyCt5sjmJxtja-j/s1600/P4280279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrngEOhm91ccjicOgSvtAZuTABImVSUefkmQOkH_fe4xkasxZjIRrS1Pljp4-C0138gVL7w4Z8pKm0pMpvmkmPzW5FSoOBwTjJ-9H7c0oBqjfbBTUHEPCkGU7Zy9xasfyCt5sjmJxtja-j/s400/P4280279.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Ceiling of a small abandoned 600 year old church outside town</td></tr>
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After our heads were chock-a-block full of boat stuff, we enjoyed playing tourist, first with a day of walking around Treguier, then on the road back to Paris via Chartres.<br />
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The town itself is amazingly well preserved, with much of the historical district dating back to the 13th century. It's far from most everywhere, which apparently is the reason it survived the two world wars so well compared to much of the rest of France. As one shopkeeper said when we asked about it said, "Bomb little Tregiuer??? Why would anyone bother???!!!" Our kind of town!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZyEHt5UbhA3j06ih9mVqlDkFGn2hgQnEiLfStI3H26D4Qq0qAJslYUWUNPZ5KIq5mAoZfpYkJm_STsqyXUadgsrs4FGIHNgCDLOLktO9Vj55cPB-4erXm9Mj7_s5RG9zBOYMftTciIqM/s1600/P4290288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZyEHt5UbhA3j06ih9mVqlDkFGn2hgQnEiLfStI3H26D4Qq0qAJslYUWUNPZ5KIq5mAoZfpYkJm_STsqyXUadgsrs4FGIHNgCDLOLktO9Vj55cPB-4erXm9Mj7_s5RG9zBOYMftTciIqM/s640/P4290288.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Main cathedral was just outside our hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rW4Cuf0M50hiy8oT5aXPRuB6OHVe8CuUyGNhCwdtYth_JtW1YLjzA3rKnynMLHV03z8H28CNu-eumXF2_7MdYQHeZk_0WjF6ddcqNVbRqgecZi-U4UsmJTC-1jh53fZDICeU9fQ49gRr/s1600/P4290300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1122" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rW4Cuf0M50hiy8oT5aXPRuB6OHVe8CuUyGNhCwdtYth_JtW1YLjzA3rKnynMLHV03z8H28CNu-eumXF2_7MdYQHeZk_0WjF6ddcqNVbRqgecZi-U4UsmJTC-1jh53fZDICeU9fQ49gRr/s640/P4290300.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">The gothic cathedral sported terrific flying buttresses all around</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Our B&B, the Le Saint Yves, in business since 1200's</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Amazing stone homes nestled into the rocks on the Brittany coast</td></tr>
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With nearly a 30 foot tidal range, Treguier takes its tides seriously!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Pretty steep ramps at low tide!!! "ON BELAY"</td></tr>
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So that was our road trip, then a day at Chartres and back to Paris for the long return flights to Sydney. We've been doing a LOT of noodling and discussing the options, running spreadsheets, and consulting with The Google since returning 3 days ago. As the jet lag faded away, we allowed ourselves to finally make a decision between the two finalists (KM and Boreal)<br />
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.......the envelope please.........<br />
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And the winner is.........BOREAL YACHTS !!!<br />
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The Boreal has a great deal of appeal for us. Sleek, with a low freeboard and carefully thought out voyaging features, these modern yachts are built for remote exploration. They were awarded "European Bluewater Yacht of the Year, 2014/15" by Yachting World Magazine, and was the overall winner for "Boat of the Year, 2018 by Cruising World. High honors for a small company which spends near nothing for advertising. Beautifully built, yet not fully custom boats, they nonetheless have a good range of options and features, and the Jean Francois' both seem willing to listen to our input and goals for the build. The company's two owners inspired our confidence and trust, and we are eager to begin this next phase of our cruising journey with them and Boreal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UPhxnn9KNCuvdL4cqyoNMg54c5w6h3vWxTen1MfOnJa7vpSYyHFMjvapz9C0jIoEIs3qlz6YHU5KKVc-qVYY2zMjctFgO8cvkL7pX3Bb44nLUt6MRpk3RN6ASi3FgOpZ9yJE3roCpITZ/s1600/16113428_1362086107181077_7582686439375562763_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UPhxnn9KNCuvdL4cqyoNMg54c5w6h3vWxTen1MfOnJa7vpSYyHFMjvapz9C0jIoEIs3qlz6YHU5KKVc-qVYY2zMjctFgO8cvkL7pX3Bb44nLUt6MRpk3RN6ASi3FgOpZ9yJE3roCpITZ/s400/16113428_1362086107181077_7582686439375562763_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Photo courtesy Boreal</td></tr>
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Clearly these boats can do anything these two old farts, Adam and Cindi, could ask of them and more!!! It will take about 18 months until we can take delivery, so in the meantime, we look forward to another season or two happily cruising Bravo up to the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and back to Australia, and possibly another trip to Vanuatu......stay tuned!!!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-21009496027673040972018-03-17T12:57:00.000+13:002018-03-17T12:57:15.733+13:00Australia, Brisbane to TasmaniaClick on link to go to page in Adobe Spark<br />
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<script charset="utf-8" data-zindex="1000000" id="asp-embed-script" src="https://spark.adobe.com/page-embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><a class="asp-embed-link" href="https://spark.adobe.com/page/Fv21OuCW7ZDg2/" target="_blank"><img alt="Australia Update" border="0" src="https://spark.adobe.com/page/Fv21OuCW7ZDg2/embed.jpg?buster=1521244586242" style="width: 100%;" /></a><br />
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Cheers from Team Bravo<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-91369539010449386372018-03-17T12:51:00.001+13:002018-03-17T12:58:30.615+13:00Chesterfield ReefBlog post on Chesterfield, click on link to connect via<br />
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<script charset="utf-8" data-zindex="1000000" id="asp-embed-script" src="https://spark.adobe.com/page-embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><a class="asp-embed-link" href="https://spark.adobe.com/page/8x5nKV5OP2ssu/" target="_blank"><img alt="Chesterfield Reef" border="0" src="https://spark.adobe.com/page/8x5nKV5OP2ssu/embed.jpg?buster=1521244658865" style="width: 100%;" /></a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-38752446168486454992017-12-19T14:26:00.000+13:002017-12-19T14:26:51.069+13:00Vanuatu wrap-up - Maewo and Pentecost IslandsWell, more than a few miles have passed under the keel since our last blog post two months ago. For that, loyal readers (if we still have any!!!), we apologize. Now in Australia, we've been traveling by planes, trains, automobiles, buses, and, of course, boats. We'll do a quick catchup of the last few months.<br />
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Our last report from Vanuatu was from Espiritu Santo, where we did quite a bit of diving on the reefs and wrecks. But we still had time for a few more adventures before departing for Chesterfield Reef and Australia. It was a good place for socializing, and after a fun few weeks exploring the eastern shore of Santo with friends Rich and Cyndi on Legacy, and Matt and Elizabeth on Rubicon, we headed east for a long daysail east to Maewo Island. We made landfall at a rather open roadstead anchorage near the north end. <br />
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The morning after dropping anchor, we awoke to a steady stream of curious visitors in their dugout canoes. It seems that few visitors stop here (we were just the 3rd boat this year), and all were eager for some trading opportunities. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdQwlhQ9P6EguPFOltiiAnIHkzuYCuzWK-5gM4PW1bkuYk7YnqlGtVCUv4NJDg43hDfCQHC8qSJXH2MPwqyLYpDq0bzsv9jpX6BILhMMzzCc7PHAjncRqZPZfxGXI6NMpoRj6wcMiQa0c/s1600/P9160026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdQwlhQ9P6EguPFOltiiAnIHkzuYCuzWK-5gM4PW1bkuYk7YnqlGtVCUv4NJDg43hDfCQHC8qSJXH2MPwqyLYpDq0bzsv9jpX6BILhMMzzCc7PHAjncRqZPZfxGXI6NMpoRj6wcMiQa0c/s640/P9160026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soccer balls are our best trading items!!!</td></tr>
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Men, women, and kids all wanted to tour Bravo, none had ever been on a boat larger than a canoe. We had a great day visiting, and were sad to have to head south to beat a bit of squally weather in the forecast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki2uQBSFRa0Xc0PE_xlzkiQETy38wAv52Wi_aOT95zthXYXNAimWJayPY93xXvWseaf0V3emcu8avRuFq2NGq3Yh9hEqBL5RSwud2mpK7zNbfgGNUra1HWL09qZivOZvNhc4wIzBPfRmJ/s1600/P9220171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki2uQBSFRa0Xc0PE_xlzkiQETy38wAv52Wi_aOT95zthXYXNAimWJayPY93xXvWseaf0V3emcu8avRuFq2NGq3Yh9hEqBL5RSwud2mpK7zNbfgGNUra1HWL09qZivOZvNhc4wIzBPfRmJ/s400/P9220171.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
We enjoyed the sheltered anchorage at Asanvari, at the southern tip of Maewo. <br />
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The diving at the point was excellent, and the bay and surrounding landscape was beautiful. <br />
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Unfortunately, due to it's near perfect anchorage status, the village is rather inundated by yachts. The locals were demanding of large gifts and seemed to just want to see how much they could get from us. We felt a bit used, especially compared to our other interactions in Vanuatu. I guess you can't blame them, but nonetheless we were quite ready to head south after a few days of exploring the waterfalls and pretty village.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXuRpvE_YEVFKcxA6fmamKnxssw0rMzl3VyK7ugyQzpeoDu3EsdJq1A7zcWRAWOuC0mdIaEtY2bPzzepb-BzMtUri_ZoBgTm498oUNqhlG3AewIBsHZAJdH1qAImt1MskHUe_Z0yHN8fP/s1600/P9220145-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXuRpvE_YEVFKcxA6fmamKnxssw0rMzl3VyK7ugyQzpeoDu3EsdJq1A7zcWRAWOuC0mdIaEtY2bPzzepb-BzMtUri_ZoBgTm498oUNqhlG3AewIBsHZAJdH1qAImt1MskHUe_Z0yHN8fP/s640/P9220145-Edit.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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As we were weighing anchor one morning in Asanvari to prepare for a quick sail south, we heard an enormous explosive BOOM!!! We looked up, and just a few miles to our west, the large volcanic cone on neighboring island Ambae was erupting!!! The threat level had been raised to "3" a couple of weeks prior, so it was not completely unexpected, but the eruption was spectacular, sending smoke and ash high in the air. It was to continue erupting (considered level "4") for several more weeks. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DwjjGgodsFdT3FABigWB5EEWscoY_mUN5Wh_bW0h6xKX3dMk-_bE8MgtblTf-OKBn1rRB65xF8cYIs1NCLHonP2vyGh2bjFaJARjFKfkqri0JMqAxyn5NE0Q4AihkLXHQFzUl559A_jM/s1600/P9230565-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DwjjGgodsFdT3FABigWB5EEWscoY_mUN5Wh_bW0h6xKX3dMk-_bE8MgtblTf-OKBn1rRB65xF8cYIs1NCLHonP2vyGh2bjFaJARjFKfkqri0JMqAxyn5NE0Q4AihkLXHQFzUl559A_jM/s640/P9230565-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoJvPMRsJ_G6nYyytZpuw2t9KOxadkJYUhc-4a4Na7etI8wxq2-9EO6zOyJqJx4SROMybugqIz2GQFo4ntZbtJH_JtwE8yiOfF4OrzDEaxp-mz860Qg9kgb8oqKbg28M_eHT2KC5YpEnB/s1600/P9230570-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoJvPMRsJ_G6nYyytZpuw2t9KOxadkJYUhc-4a4Na7etI8wxq2-9EO6zOyJqJx4SROMybugqIz2GQFo4ntZbtJH_JtwE8yiOfF4OrzDEaxp-mz860Qg9kgb8oqKbg28M_eHT2KC5YpEnB/s640/P9230570-Edit-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sadly, the eruption necessitated the evacuation of all 11,500 villagers on the island to neighboring islands. The people fled with very little more than the clothes on their bodies, and when they were finally allowed to return to their villages weeks later, they found their crops largely destroyed by the acid rain caused by the eruption, their animals dead or dying, and, in some cases, their villages looted. Our hearts go out to the people of Ambae, and hopefully the recovery from yet another natural disaster (the island was hit hard by Cyclone Pam, a bit over 2 years ago).<br />
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As the Ambae eruption began, we got underway for the north end of Pentecost Island, just about 10 miles away. When we arrived at this beautiful bay, we found the villagers all sitting on the beach, spellbound, watching and listening to the eruption developing on neighboring Ambae. Most had never seen an eruption before, so this was obviously a big event. And the speculation was, of course, about what caused the island to erupt, and what might it mean for their island of Pentecost.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyUWbgYbBeYM6n7p7Iw8iMSCM3C2GONAKHYyNLr0SkAyXlMPtaGieRToQhVkWTO4K6DHzhKqSr66ywMCt7Y1K5Je_APTSxFopqxswVqT-oxBy8cZngPlw1qg9ZMMRhlu5wkySE66F1A_e/s1600/P9250212-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyUWbgYbBeYM6n7p7Iw8iMSCM3C2GONAKHYyNLr0SkAyXlMPtaGieRToQhVkWTO4K6DHzhKqSr66ywMCt7Y1K5Je_APTSxFopqxswVqT-oxBy8cZngPlw1qg9ZMMRhlu5wkySE66F1A_e/s640/P9250212-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bravo in a perfect Pentecost anchorage, Ambae volcano visible in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gAxexr_HM-h1DZ7f85DUrf-vejXXp83bLAhc8IYBsuDHCEDH2SQGqDX5PzmU865XjG83vP5Fh_2qNdAjvRKDhwxO91zVz2dhrUy69er0ikwVRQCO2ZZV4YDp6L3CsGasTThmozZqv6wH/s1600/P9230174-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gAxexr_HM-h1DZ7f85DUrf-vejXXp83bLAhc8IYBsuDHCEDH2SQGqDX5PzmU865XjG83vP5Fh_2qNdAjvRKDhwxO91zVz2dhrUy69er0ikwVRQCO2ZZV4YDp6L3CsGasTThmozZqv6wH/s640/P9230174-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ash plume, seen from Bravo's deck, anchored at Loltong Bay on Pentecost.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JpVlZih-LiTktbD3VO8ow44gPTvDG8VS4_CQxLECDfy09sn82mEMoYX4Z97ZJJ_Tty8lUD3u_ppiz7g_-GdCqwICsKBW-6SxFO4NZJEQrdbAxwpBuGGsHSRnv-yZZLJdkxWjYAiwyeKD/s1600/P9250226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JpVlZih-LiTktbD3VO8ow44gPTvDG8VS4_CQxLECDfy09sn82mEMoYX4Z97ZJJ_Tty8lUD3u_ppiz7g_-GdCqwICsKBW-6SxFO4NZJEQrdbAxwpBuGGsHSRnv-yZZLJdkxWjYAiwyeKD/s400/P9250226.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
On the beach at the head of Loltong bay we met Mathew and his wife Mary, the proprietors of their local yacht club. They welcomed us like family, and proceeded to give us a great tour of the village. We had heard about their hospitality and tasting dinners of local Nivan cuisine, and we arranged for their 10 course (!!!) dinner for the following evening. Wow! Mary is a fantastic cook, and their 3 kids took their job of serving us very seriously. We had a great time with them, and Mathew offered to take us to their garden area the next day, to show us where they grow all of the food up on the mountain behind the house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNnC3dWaIl81QcJoEUCg-CfoQlafFkrsozYSzfcBQqPMwmVjgadG0k5bCO83QV8wkNQAfyoO0Y18qVCW67uhjLDa_3pF5wx_-hDQpsn4oLVsBgU3d4ZoObRQyn9QX6T1gVZzPlsj3itPZ/s1600/P9250209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNnC3dWaIl81QcJoEUCg-CfoQlafFkrsozYSzfcBQqPMwmVjgadG0k5bCO83QV8wkNQAfyoO0Y18qVCW67uhjLDa_3pF5wx_-hDQpsn4oLVsBgU3d4ZoObRQyn9QX6T1gVZzPlsj3itPZ/s400/P9250209.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guys heading down from their field</td></tr>
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Their gardens are about a 30 minute walk up the side of the hill. We left early to avoid the worst heat of the day, but the temp and humidity were tough on us flat landers! Finally we all made it, and we first checked out their new garden, just being carved out of the bush and planted with cuttings from the old farm. <br />
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We headed over there next, to get the cuttings of tarot, kava, manioc, yams, and island cabbage to transplant. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-J6Ps93M6KeS5o_pXkI9pkJDChQ1fPl3mH-SXX4HBf0u5GIhnv9T-tducp8oQl1Qb5fn6Kg6J79zlR_7uPsZrwDth8ZMQ-LERHFWmUYkJgRs6XOaIMNDLAlbsiLHQ2NyagvrsqumvAvZ/s1600/P9270242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-J6Ps93M6KeS5o_pXkI9pkJDChQ1fPl3mH-SXX4HBf0u5GIhnv9T-tducp8oQl1Qb5fn6Kg6J79zlR_7uPsZrwDth8ZMQ-LERHFWmUYkJgRs6XOaIMNDLAlbsiLHQ2NyagvrsqumvAvZ/s640/P9270242.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary and Cindi off on a planting mission...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6brIGijE3Csf3UeRoySzAJeTUDIFsGnne2IMDy4lM5_SP78x7pZf66yDcPKKy3dQ-6sUZX-hRLjsLSBJ8Wj2wXfgX_TYeC4vaVPvYLDSDlg3vQCmQ8Fqvm7o_2VWCqGKeQBl9ykz9uS9n/s1600/P9270259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6brIGijE3Csf3UeRoySzAJeTUDIFsGnne2IMDy4lM5_SP78x7pZf66yDcPKKy3dQ-6sUZX-hRLjsLSBJ8Wj2wXfgX_TYeC4vaVPvYLDSDlg3vQCmQ8Fqvm7o_2VWCqGKeQBl9ykz9uS9n/s640/P9270259.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mathew shows off a kava plant ready for harvest.</td></tr>
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On the way, we passed through another village near the top of the hill, and Mathew remembered that there was to be a fund raiser in the village that evening. The chief had the only vehicle on the north end of the island, a nice pickup truck, that all used to bring their crops, especially the bundles of kava, down to the shore to sell to the island trading boats. They held these fund raisers to raise money to give to the chief to cover his costs to run the truck. We heard that the bash would begin later that afternoon, and 500 Vatu (about $5.00 USD) would get you a bit of dinner and all the kava you could drink!!! We already knew that Vanuatu kava was the best in the Pacific, and the kava of Pentecost was reputed to the be best of the Vanuatu swill.....how could we say no???<br />
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With our load of cuttings we headed back to the new garden plots to get the sprigs, and some seeds in the ground before lunch. The kids worked the field with us, especially their son, who had been given his own plot to grow kava as a cash crop. Though primary school is free in Vanuatu, families need to pay for secondary education for their kids. The boy wanted to go to high school when he gets old enough, about 3 years away. Kava takes about 3 years to mature for market, so he was planting his garden now to have it ready to sell when he graduates primary school. We were impressed!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing cuttings for planting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After planting seeds, we built little shade canopies to protect the new seedlings and keep them moist in the sun</td></tr>
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When it was time for lunch, the kids went out and found some yams, taro, plantains, "bush spinach" and coconut. Mathew built a fire, and they cooked their typical daily meal. It was great, and we had a terrific time playing farmer for the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yam, papaya, and plantain roasting on the fire</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squeezing coconut milk over bush spinach before cooking.....tasty business!</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, back at the nakamal, the women of the village were preparing the meal for the fundraiser. It would cook all day in the open earth ovens.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful building, this nakamal is the heart of the village's social fabric</td></tr>
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After a bit more planting, it was time to head over to the nakamal, or community long house for the fund raiser. The men were already at work making vats of kava, and the women had been cooking all day over the open fires in the building.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUpWrCEI6x0HdEnXeRi2nomhsMjtB_TITYa11fdsHlbXWutYRyP6hlm-m3PlFLMsNxPpS4y6G-rwLJW3iuMg9wKXbd4sa6iR9OY2aW7n5D43kf1_WywvTVbYwIwqLpcxIgGXE40QxcyUO/s1600/P9270297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUpWrCEI6x0HdEnXeRi2nomhsMjtB_TITYa11fdsHlbXWutYRyP6hlm-m3PlFLMsNxPpS4y6G-rwLJW3iuMg9wKXbd4sa6iR9OY2aW7n5D43kf1_WywvTVbYwIwqLpcxIgGXE40QxcyUO/s640/P9270297.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kava prep begins outside, pounding the roots into a pulp</td></tr>
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Cindi had blown out a flip flop in the field, and one old boy was determined to fix it. He worked his magic using a bush knife and bits of plastic shopping bag twisted into a string for the thong. He chuckled, "white man makes the shoe, black man fixes"!!! The repair held for several weeks!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfpVdoKmpV7Kb2Ak-FV4HxIYf57jW1klY0FkT-Dkz1mP1ZrKcgD145B4YjvTrk5-DaZopQHB_HUoixyMyRRrddRvjO1wng-0Rnij25R0f5FwWA3WY6knCSzceTpsDhSeZBHz1dr98CRbI/s1600/P9260164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfpVdoKmpV7Kb2Ak-FV4HxIYf57jW1klY0FkT-Dkz1mP1ZrKcgD145B4YjvTrk5-DaZopQHB_HUoixyMyRRrddRvjO1wng-0Rnij25R0f5FwWA3WY6knCSzceTpsDhSeZBHz1dr98CRbI/s640/P9260164.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, it was time for kava!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYbQTDqZtcMbLgvtqnTlZfvJxNzG9r6FsUtR9VKj-20PrJbkFTs2dVf8DtZKInPOUC553UBFlH2Gn_VJ9MmHyzngUOOm-582w49DIDwU0h-Fb4V_graHZgBFC3TbgWdyl83xcwQaTfHsc/s1600/P9270321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYbQTDqZtcMbLgvtqnTlZfvJxNzG9r6FsUtR9VKj-20PrJbkFTs2dVf8DtZKInPOUC553UBFlH2Gn_VJ9MmHyzngUOOm-582w49DIDwU0h-Fb4V_graHZgBFC3TbgWdyl83xcwQaTfHsc/s640/P9270321.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texting is important between shells of kava!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling "travelers" of grog for the walk home. </td></tr>
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We spent a long evening with the gang, drinking LOTS of grog, and getting to know a bit more about local village life. A few of them were curious about the US, and seemed especially concerned with whether the US was about to go to war with North Korea!!! Amazing how bits of news make it into the smallest corners of the world.<br />
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Finally the truck showed up at around 10 to give about 20 of us a ride back down the mountain to the lower village in Loltong Bay. A good day all around!<br />
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This wraps up our 4 months of cruising in Vanuatu. The country is not without its problems, to be sure, but the people could not be friendlier and more welcoming. We eagerly look forward to our next chance to visit again one day. <br />
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Next up, photos of Chesterfield Reef, enroute to Australia.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-90396368445608785442017-10-23T15:06:00.000+13:002017-10-23T15:04:37.605+13:00Passage Notes - Chesterfield Reef to Australia, BRAVO gives Murphy a ride!Well, we finally pulled out of Chesterfield...it is a magical place, but waiting there for a weather window was getting a bit old after a 9 day stay. Finally the stars seemed to align, and we hoisted anchor in a 20 knot SE breeze. The winds were perfect, but the beam-on 2-3 meter seas were a bit sporty. Provided enormous breaking green waves over the entire boat.....yuchhh.
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<br>Shortly after leaving the reef, we noticed that Otto, our trusty auto pilot, was not steering....at all. The hell, Otto, what gives? You've always been Mr. Reliable!!! No worries, though, we have a wind vane steering system called a Hydrovane. Unfortunately, Otto has been SO reliable, that we decided not to mount the Hydrovane rudder, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 7 YEARS of passages!!! Big mistake, as you need to either get into the water in the 10 foot seas, or launch the dinghy....neither looked too good. And its only a bit over 500 miles to Brisbane, no worries!!! Uhhh, no. We hand steered for about 24 hours before the seas calmed down enough for Adam to crawl under the aft bunk to see if Otto's problem was fixable. Immediately saw that the pilot's dedicated steering quadrant on the rudder shaft had completely gone on walkabout.....all 4 bolts had unscrewed, and the bugger was just lying in the bilge!!! A few hours later, and heaps of upside down sweating and swearing, and Otto was back at the wheel! Sweet as...
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<br>Next, we noticed that the headsail genoa had no tension in the luff. Since we had just tightened the hydraulic backstay to provide that tension, it called for a major OH SHIT.....we had now blown a seal in the hydraulic, and the backstay was providing minimal if any support to the mast.....a very bad thing. So McGuyver got back off his butt, and rigged our spare main halyard as a backstay to add support. Not great, as it can't be tensioned anywhere near the hydraulic, but at least we won't lose the rig!
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<br>OK, good to go now, right? Not so fast.....Last night we noticed a strong thumping noise coming from the aft end of the boat. Thinking it might be related to the Otto fix, we tore the bunk apart again. No joy, all looked fine. So what could it be? We felt like Robert Redford in his awful flick where he hit the shipping container.....did we have a bit of shipping or fishing debris stuck down there, banging on the hull? Looked as much as we could w/ flashlights, but couldn't see anything. So the problem persists, still banging down there. Hopefully its not the rudder going into failure mode, but clearly not much we can do out here. Now only 90 miles to go to Brisbane, and the winds are down to 10 knots....should be ok.
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<br>So this little passage has been surprisingly challenging, and completely unexpectedly so! But we'll soon be in Australia, marking the end of our 7 year crossing of the entire Pacific (well, not yet including cruising Alaska.....one of these days!) We're really looking forward to the next year cruising in Oz, and after that??? Indonesia and rest of Asia are beckoning! But first we need to wash off the salt....on Bravo and ourselves!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188789717376101953.post-74749749923545770992017-10-16T22:47:00.000+13:002017-10-16T22:49:07.152+13:00Passage to Australia - Chesterfield ReefWe had a terrific 3-1/2 day sail from Luganville to Chesterfield Reef. Seas were a bit rolly at first with about 2 meter seas on the beam, but died down after the first day. The only challenge then became trying to slow down in the 15-20 knot broad reach to allow for a daylight entry into the reef. Actually, scratch that.....there was another challenge.....Bravo became an official Booby Transport Vessel. Each night, we had from 2-5 large booby birds stowing away for a several hour ride toward Chesterfield. We thought it was pretty funny to watch them make landings on the flat glass solar panels.....sort of like watching Top Gun fighters try carrier landings without a tail hook!!! They'd usually skid right off, and keep at it until they settled in for the ride. But the challenge came in the morning, when we found that, like all animals, birds are what they eat. And they eat fish, and show their gratitude for a nice night sail with a leave behind of piles of stinky fish crap.....thick enough to nearly shut off our solar panels!!!
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<br>Chesterfield reef itself is extraordinary. Actually part of a few reefs joined together over a distance of nearly 60 miles, Chesterfield is a series of low sand bars and rocky shoals surrounded by ocean depths of over 10,000 feet, all hundreds of miles away from any other land, with occasional entries into a beautiful blue inner lagoon. While the low sandy shoals offer nearly no protection from the wind, they break the swell nicely, allowing for a terrific interlude in the passage to Australia.
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<br>The reef is a major sea bird rookery, with various boobies, noddies, shearwaters and terns all nesting in the low scrub or right on the sand. Young hatchlings are learning to fly (the beach is littered with the carcasses of the slow learners!!!), and the area where we've anchored has continual fly bys of parents out fishing. Walking on the beaches is amazing. You can literally walk right up to the birds, as they have zero fear of humans here in this remote outpost. We remain a respectful distance, and save the occasional feisty booby parent, all seem fine with our quiet presence.
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<br>The sand also serves as a nesting beach for loggerhead turtles, which we frequently see swimming near the boat. Although we've seen many tracks on shore, as well as the big holes indicating their nests, we have yet to find a turtle laying her eggs, even when we stayed ashore after dark one evening.
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<br>The big issue now is the weather. We've now been here at Chesterfield for 5 days, and are ready to head on to Australia. Unfortunately there is a very large high pressure system south of us, creating winds of 30-35 knots on the passage route, with higher gusts in the squalls. The winds will likely reach us here at Chesterfield in about two days, and hopefully after they pass, in 5 days or so, we'll be on our way again to Oz in a nice weather window. In the meantime, the sun is shining in this beautiful spot, and it may be time to head back to the island for some more photos!!!
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<br>We also plan on some snorkeling or diving while here, as the coral looks promising. The 3 meter tiger shark that swam by does give a bit of pause, though!!!
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<br>Sorry for the lack of photos. We obviously have no internet here (how refreshing!!!), so this blog post is made via ham radio Pactor email, which is extremely slow...text only. Photos will have to wait until we arrive in Australia, hopefully in 1-2 more weeks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1