The Meaning of Christmas

The celebration of the birth of Christ is a little more than 24 hours away. Ryen's Quest left St Georges, Bermuda ten days ago and have broken the 200 mile mark within the waters of Tortola. The weather has been warm to moderately hot. Sounds awful, I know. The wind for the past three days has been on the nose and at one point they considered changing their sail plan and go instead to Antigua. Today was their last contact with RCC Bermuda.

The fatigue in Allan's voice gets more worrisome each day. With four hours on watch and four hours to sleep, there is little time to eat, clean up, and do boat maintenance. I regret not being an able sailor to help get the boat to the British Virgin Islands. But, it surely is a good New Year's Resolution. It is hoped that they are anchored early on December 26th and sleep until they get hungry enough to make themselves a decent meal. Canned food is losing it's appeal.

Christmas this year means that our plans have been altered for reasons beyond our control and Allan and I will be apart over the holiday for the first time. It means that being together is more important than the giving of gifts or receiving bobbles of glitter and gold. For us, it means being grateful for God's grace in guiding Ryen's Quest to safe harbour, and His will to bring us together again. (And I would really appreciate that being sooner, than later!)

This will no doubt be my last entry before Christmas, so on behalf of Allan, Mack, and myself aboard Ryen's Quest, I wish to all of our family and friends who follow this blog a very Merry Christmas and a terrific 2010. Follow your dreams, even if there are a few bumps in the water, and a bruise or two along the way. It beats watching cable television.

640 Miles From Somewhere

Al called again today from the satellite phone aboard Ryen's Quest. They continue to enjoy really nice sailing weather, with all sails up. She is sailing well with no problems. The watches are working well, and they are 640 miles from either Tortola or Bermuda. I am hoping they are closer to the BVI's than Bermuda. So the sooner they get there, sooner I get there. It is so less stressful getting calls that they are safe and warm and dry. Al said, and I quote, "Finally, this is what sailing is all about!"

Al says the tuna are literally flying out of the water and they are quite a sight to see. Maybe he has captured one or two on camera and will post them when he gets time. Can't imagine either Al or Mack fishing for their dinner. Sounds like they are having a blast!

Monday December 14th, 2009

I hope Santa's sleigh moves faster than Ryen's Quest. Today, she was 140 miles south of Bermuda, sailing with full sails in 15 knot winds on the starboard quarter. The weather is beautifully warm, and although the seas look calm the boat still feels a rolling, as a result of the poor weather to the north of Bermuda. No equipment malfunctions so far, but the engine is acting up. This will definitely be a priority to get fixed when they reach Tortola.

All is good, the boys are into their watches of four hours on and four hours off.

Bye Bye Bermuda

Today Ryen's Quest said it's good-bye to the beautiful Island and people of Bermuda. With a very good weather window for the next few days, it's off to Tortola. As of 5 pm today, the seas were rolling at approximately ten feet, and the temperature was warm. Much different from the temperatures in Dartmouth. More tomorrow, after what is hoped to be a calm sailing experience.

St George Christmas Celebration

Today was a big day on Ryen's Quest. The sails were put on and everything is a go in that department. They are just thinking about provisioning and waiting for me to leave before they top the water and diesel. After the work was done, we took a dinghy ride to the Dinghy Club for showers. They give you a token to put in a machine, and if you haven't rinsed the soap off or out of your hair, too bad. I would guess one token gives you ten minutes of shower time.

Tonight the Historical Society had a community celebration. All the stores and businesses were lighted up and there was entertainment at different historical locations in the surrounding area. Everyone was in a great mood and high spirit. Lots of artists with their paintings for sail.

Later we had some of the cruisers aboard for drinks, and if Amber from Halifax reads this, we also enjoyed meeting Adam. Nice guy, he's a keeper! Tomorrow we have been invited to Rod and Sweda's home for dinner. Rod works in the sail shop, and is originally from the Philippines. Really nice people. I will post some photos when Al downloads them for me.

All is good. Ryen's Quest looks like she is ready for another passage!

Slow Day In Bermuda

It's almost supper time on Thursday, and I know that because Allan is in the galley cooking spaghetti and meat sauce. Smells delicious. It is always better when somebody else cooks.

Today it rained here, for about a half hour. Just enough to freshen the air up. Not sure of the temperature but the rain makes it a bit muggy. I am not complaining. You don't have to shovel rain or muggy. The boys want me to mention that today has been a typical island day which means they didn't do enough to break the sabbath. Mack read for most of the day, while Al practiced some card games. I walked to the drug store and back and bought some nail polish to play with. It is really quiet in this part of the island. Obvious that the tourist season has died down to damn near nothing. Good thing we are here to kick the economy into the near year.

We have Canadian neighbours now. A couple from Upper Canada in their 45 Dufour "Entre Amis". I haven't met them yet but Al and Mack have helped them with their lines when they came alongside. We have also been offered the private dock of Mr P Outerbridge. The family name is quite well known in this area. Long story short, Mr Outerbridge married a Canadian lady and he has at least one son back in Nova Scotia. I am not sure if we will be moving to his place or not. Like I said, this has been a lazy day, and Al shut down his thinking too. It's nice to see his face soften a little bit. When I got here you could see the strain on his face from the storm me thinks. Anyway, I just hope he continues to relax and enjoy retirement.

I have been checking out some real estate prices. "If" you had a million dollars you could buy a property. A small cottage two bedroom with one bath in need of some TLC runs you about $775,000. That's after you put down a cool million to be able to buy. Gotta find me a cheaper island to live.

That's all from us. Hope everything home is okay. Kisses to Ryen, from Nana!

Nothing To Write Home About

It is hard to believe that a week has passed already. There is nothing to write home about tonight. I just want to take advantage of the internet time. Today the sails and canvass was ready for pick up. Remember the wave that took out the panels of the enclosure? All those zippers have now been replaced as well as the zipper on the stack pack which lost a few teeth on the way down. The top two panels of the stay sail needed to be patched. Because of some chafing during the storm, three small holes were identified. So all that is fixed and the enclosure is good as used. It keeps the sun out of our face. Temperature today was 68F degrees or 20C degrees.

The acronym for boat....Bring Out Another Thousand.

"Just Say No" to Mopeds!

With nothing planned for today, Allan and I thought it would be a good time to go to Hamilton. The sails were in getting the zipper fixed as were the panels to the cockpit enclosure. One travel option was to take a moped and that way we could take our time and stop along the way and take pictures. Maybe pack a picnic. Sounds great in theory, right? Not wanting to be a "negative nellie" I went along with it and dressed as if I was going to be driving a moped.

As we walked with a skip in our step we got to the moped rental shop. After a few quick question and answers back and forth regarding cost and insurance, the attendant invited us to pick out a helmet. You can't know my feeling about wearing other people's head gear. The bottom of my feet started to itch and I hadn't yet picked out a suitable helmet. I wanted both Al and the attendant/moped instructor/mechanic to understand that I did not want to rent this machine if I was not comfortable driving it. I have seen too much moped damage in my young life to risk what I have left. It was agreed. The guy renting these death machines was going to make sure I was comfortable driving.

First up was Allan. He picked a shiny black half helmet that you see worn by sexy, muscled Harley Riders, if they wear any at all. He caught on quick about the ignition, brakes, and mastered working the horn and kickstand. Al drove fearlessly up the small knoll and around the tree and coasted confidently down to the start line. With a broad smile across the attendant's face he was happy to rent to Allan.

Last up was me. I also picked out a shiny black half helmet, not because of my fantasy about Harley drivers, but because it looked like it was newer and cleaner than the rest. There didn't appear to be anything moving that might make someone want to scratch. I, too, caught on quick about the ignition, and the brakes, and the horn and kickstand functions were well woven into the threads of my memory from a previous lesson some thirteen years ago. So the attendant is telling me to get onto the bike and put both feet on the ground. I would have obliged if my legs had been another inch or two longer. Come on, people! It's not like I didn't want to put both feet on the ground. So I failed there. But he wasn't going to let me off that easy. He insisted I start the bike while he held the bike up and to turn the gas on "a little bit". He assured me he would be at my side holding the bike up if the need arose. So define "a little bit". Potayto Potawto! I competently turned the ignition on, gripped the handle, and twisted it a little bit more than either of us expected. With no choke built into the bike, there is no risk of stalling out. So up that little knoll I barreled with the attendant running, but still at my side. I was impressed that he kept his word. (Later I would learn that his fingers had gotten stuck in the grocery basket screwed on the back of the bike.) As I rounded the tree at the top of the hill, I turned my head to see Allan standing at the start line, smiling me on. He really wanted me to pass the instructors standards. Getting to the bottom was no problem. Ta Da! I had passed the finish line. The attendant was smiling, but he knew better than to give me anything close to a passing grade. He suggested we give the practice run another try. So again, he held me and the bike up while the ignition, etc, etc...... Finish line. Still not comfortable with giving me the key? So who was concerned about me driving this machine in the first place? :) After three tries of trying out this practice run I threw in the towel. Some things are just not worth the risk.

We took the bus. Hamilton was beautiful. Temperature today 76 degrees. No snow in the forecast. I hope something interesting happens tomorrow that I can write about.