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Ballytrim - Fwd: Progress report day 5



Sorry for the delay in posting this. I thought it had gone already!
Geoff Ford

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:
Hi All,
I wasn't expecting to be writing anything further until we had finished the race and I guess you weren't expecting to hear anything - but there you go - things change and they did for us!!!
Alls well. No injuries. No damage.
Just no wind and less to come..
Here's our story from 1200 noon 7/5/14 to noon 8/5/14, minus 4 hours UTC..

Having explained in the last report we headed into the night close hauled, predominately on a starboard tack, heeled over at 25 degrees and hoping - hoping - hoping that the winds would change from out of the North to the NE and East allowing us to simply follow the new wind and 'harden up' onto the course direct to Bermuda..... But regretfully, and this is sailing for you, it didn't happen.
We stuck at it. Here's a couple of entries from the ships log written (first at 2000hrs 2nd at 2300) " 1st Reef to main and headsail as winds gusting above 20 knots and close hauled. Short sharp, steep choppy seas. Wind oscillating making it difficult to achieve consistent helming ( even for those that can!)" " Not very nice out there - variables, fluky and fickle are having their effect."

So, this morning we were still 75 miles out and still heading into the wind, which was gradually falling and fading. Forecast over the next 2 days shows less wind.
We did a quick number of adjustments and calculations for were the opposition are and the likely hood of their engine hours? Best guess has it that we could motor in direct to Bermuda and still have time to spare, after deductions/penalties for use of the engine.

We are motoring in now, starting to tidy up and complete the forms and formalities for entering another country ( this time the oldest British independant colony).
I have to share just a couple of the questions being asked of me 'the ships master/captain...... They are very interesting and Im still not entirely sure if I dare answer them in gest or not! What is the sense of humour of a Bermudan official??? We'll find out soon enough.

Declaration of health form for Bermuda customs and immigrations, included these questions:- ( these are not made up questions!!! )

1. "Has plague occurred or been suspected amongst the rats or mice on board during the vogue, or has there been an unusual mortality amongst them?"

[ possible answer:  " there has been no higher or less deaths amongst the rats or mice on board, but it is difficult to tell what the boys have been serving with the curry spices these last few days, so it is possible there has been a higher incidence than normal - it certainly seems so near to the heads in the morning! ]

2. "Has anyone died aboard, during the voyage, other than a result of an accident?"
[There are several opportunities here Mrs C .... With regard to insurance claims for Mr C, his resultant death - I mean accident and possible agreement on my percentage of the proceedings....
Question to the immigration officer: "can this question be answered retrospectively, depending on what your definition of an accident is please?"

What ever the result of the race/rally we will have enjoyed good company and friendship.
Our thoughts to all 'Back home'
Geoff x
Sent from my iPad


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