News from the Skipper at sea!

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We motor to the Bermuda exit channel, call customs on the VHF—no problem leaving. We get out ten miles—customs calls back and we need to return. There is no wind so motor back, do customs, round of drinks and fuel up.

We leave for second time—no wind and raining. Now day two have yet to see winds above six. Lots of clouds, some sprinkles and rain but little wind. Less then 100 miles traveled—what wind we do have is not in a great direction—we have the spinnaker up.

Kristine’s omelets were great.

Looking for storm clouds!

Grateful Red takes Third!!!

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How exciting this weekend was for boat and land crew of Grateful Red.

Cissy and I announced to the entire Hamilton Bermuda that we were anxiously waiting for Grateful Red to arrive at the dock of Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. (didn’t have much else to do except drink wine). Sitting on our veranda overlooking the Sound, we finally spotted that much loved black mast coming around the corner and down the harbor. We leaped from our chairs and ran down to the dock some 6-8 blocks away.Getting there just in time for dark to fall and grab dock lines, I quickly took a few shots of the boats approach to the dock.

There was quite a reception on the dock for the boat and crew as it was the boat that sailed the furthest in the race before starting their motor sailing. Commodore of the Yacht club, Director of the C2B race, other sailors and Cissy and I all there with arms wide open to greet our sailors. Danny the Director had some Gosling Ginger Beer and a bottle of Gosling Black Rum as a “dock warming” gift. (Dark and Stormy’s for all!)

Before the crew scattered, I took a great crew shot with their Grateful Red jackets on. Then, they all were more than ready to get off the boat and regain their land-legs.

After the boat was secured and crew had a bit of a breather, we walked to a great Italian restaurant on the way to the hotels, had a wonderful meal and heard the beginning of the stories of their adventures.

Grateful Red and Crew received many cudo’s for the great job they did. The choice of sail and their stick-to-it-ness dedication to sail as far as they could before the lack of wind won out and they turned on the motor.

We are all so proud of this boat, Ken, Jack, Curtis, Bridgette, and Mark. Living together on a small space with only water surrounding them for so many days. So glad they returned safe and ready to sail again….and just for fun…, some pictures of Bermuda, The Spirit of Bermuda Tall ship, and the “land-crew” Cissy Yoes and Kristine. We arrived Wednesday and having 2 1/2 days to wait for the boat to arrive, we toured the island. What a place. Highly recommend a travel there. Enjoy.

We have secured a transponder to follow the continued saga of Grateful Reds Transatlantic voyage. Starting Tuesday in the afternoon, the transponder will “wake-up” and start tracking the boats progress. Check out www.iboattrack.com and click on cruising boats, then current cruisers, and then Grateful Red. Should be fun!

Questions, call or e-mail me. kristine@kegonsa.com

From the Skipper – Arrival in Bermuda

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Seven days at sea and 750 miles plus of open water “land-ho” sounds good. Typically the Grateful Red travels about 150 miles a day in average wind. The C2B was not typical wind (read this comment as ‘drifter winds”). No new storms, lots of light wind and plenty of time to drink beer – in fact we even swam off the the back of the boat. High point – we saw a Right Whale breeching three times in the middle ocean. Only 500 or so Right Whales left in the oceans. (How do you tell when whales are mating – how deep the dive and how hard they blow). This whale was way out of the water.

Crew was a blast – Mark and I repaired the numerous boat gear break downs (no boredom here). Bridgette and Curtis provided great eats. Jack was navigating. Rhythm of working six hours and sleeping four has Curtis, Jack and I ready for the leg two – Bermuda to the Azores.

Sail on!