The weather did not gets its act together in time for us sail to the States. Tomorrow I hop on a plane from Bermuda to New York, then Heathrow. Should be back in Blighty on Friday morning.
Hoping to see Cromford in the sunshine when I get there next week.
My flight back to England is booked for Thursday 15th June. We are still in Bermuda. Deep depressions are rolling from South Carolina up the American coast to Canada suggesting 40 knot winds and high waves. We don’t fancy that very much. I like my tea in a cup not on the floor.
It’s about 600 miles to the American coast. Will we get a weather window to dash north so I can get my flight? Will I end up having to fly from Bermuda to JFK in New York leaving Dave here to work out how to get the boat north? Anyone fancy a few days watching the America’s Cup in Bermuda then a passage to Maine and maybe some climbing when you get there? I’m serious….all you sailors out there. Drop us a line.
If you’re following the America’s Cup you’ll know the New Zealand boat pitch poled in high winds yesterday. We saw it happen. The racing until that point had been fast, oh so fast and on the edge. The Brits have been struggling and we weren’t holding out much hope for them. We are still wearing our recently purchased t shirts proudly around town (they have been washed) and have been asked several times what our role is in the team. People seem disappointed when we say, supporters.
High winds certainly brough high drama. No racing today because of those strong winds. They are due to drop and the depression is due to roll north, but it’s all a question of timing.
The photos are of a walk we did along a disused railway line to a lighthouse which is still in operation today. It’s the highest point in Bermuda and affords stunning views across the Great Sound where the racing is taking place. We chose to return along the beach where there were gangs of Portuguese Men of War jellyfish being washed up on the sand. A local said they tour in June then disappear to their next venue. We’d planned to swim but no thanks, no one fancied being stung by one of those babies.
I like patterns and symmetry; regular tiled floors, mosaics, houses with two windows upstairs, two windows downstairs and a door sitting proudly in the middle, pictures we all produced in school when you paint half a butterfly then fold the paper together to ‘blot’ the other side, my list goes on.
Today I recognised a new satisfying pattern – islands beginning with the letter B. My favourite islands in the Caribbean started with B, ….Barbados, Bequia and Barbuda. And Bermuda can certainly be added to that list. Okay, I know Bermuda is a strictly a North Atlantic island but it feels close enough to sneak onto my list.
Bermuda has been tremendous. i don’t doubt that we’re seeing it at its best what with the America’s Cup taking place. It’s a beautiful place and the Great Sound where the racing is taking place provides a sheltered bay where boats can anchor in about 10m around the buoys that mark the race course.
Weve been out most days on Steph and Brian’s boat watching the racing. We know a couple of the course marshalls quite well now and look forward to the daily banter as we look to anchor as close as possible to the racing area without drifting into the buoyed area.
Yesterday after waiting an hour for non existent wind, racing was cancelled for the day. Dave had clocked a rocky area in some of the tourist literature showing people jumping off cliffs into the water. So we motored off, found the spot and anchored there. No pictures to show here as we having too much fun to think about cameras. All 6 of us, me, Dave, Steph, Brian, Bill and Chris swam ashore. Dave and Brian did a bit of solo cliff climbing, having the option to bale out into the water when it got too much. The boys jumped from the highest spot, I’m guessing between 20 and 25 feet. My 3 jumps were not so adventurous but still good fun. There were caves to swim through and 15 year olds to watch as they hurled themselves without a care off the top like rag dolls.
Everyone felt totally elated and buzzy after a great afternoon. The celebrations continued into the evening on Bills boat as he fired up the BBQ and we watched the fireworks which were part of the Tall Ships Event in Hamilton Harbour. Bill got his guitar out, he’s pretty good, and Steph and I murdered a few songs. Another amazing day in Bermuda.
Today we plan to take a day off the racing and walk out along the disused railway trail to a lighthouse. Should be a little more sedate that yesterday.
grace of longstone 