Full Gale!!!
Trip Start
May 07, 2007
1
20
28
Trip End
Jun 15, 2007
Hamilton,
Bermuda
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Big wind
So we toured around for a few days. Taxes will run $30-40 to go about anywhere so we used the bus system. The bus system in Bermuda is very visitor friendly. Not only is it reliable, but for about $10/day you can ride the bus or ferry anywhere. So we went out to the ends of the island and saw some sights. Sadly, Bermuda is not immune to over tourism. When we went out the the Royal Naval Dockyard we had a good time seeing the shops and sights. But by the time we walked out, it had felt like this interesting historical sight had been made into a theme park with shops and restaurants. The cruise ship was docked nearby and a steady stream of tourists schlepped around looking at overpriced souveniers. This is not unlike what we have seen in m any countries. More and more the mass tourism industry has changed the whole travel experience.
Of course there were the MedBound parties. These ranged from informal, open bar parties to the big "formal" last Thursday night. Formal? Yes, our leader Milt had a vision of a formal affair in which all the men wore pressed Bermuda shorts, polished shoes, knee socks and blue blazers. To the men, this was not a highlight as most of us wondered why we would pack and tote a blue blazer around in a duffel bag and stored in the tight quarters of a boat. By the time mine got there mine was showing the strain of nearly 3000mi in a duffel bag
Full Gale
.So here we are going to the big party. Only half of the men looked "good". Most of us didn't have the polished shoes and some didn't have the matching socks. One defied the commander and showed up in jeans and jacket. To me, most of us looked silly. But the big formal picture came off on schedule. I breathed a sigh of relief when the whole show was over. I would have been happier with a burger and a beer.
Then we had a really nice fish bake. One of our crew members called "Joey" turns out to be not only an expert marine electrician but also a cook. He took some of the fist caught on Salty Dog and put together a terrific dinner supplemented by veg, salad and deserts prepared on various vessels. The fish was Wahoo and I even liked it. While Im not a fish eater, Im finding more and more times when I do like it. Could this be a change of heart at age 58? Maybe.
The weather is the major issue. We have had gale and moderate gale conditions for the past 24 hours. It is "blowing like a freight train" out there and this 30-40kt wind is blowing the boat on the beam directly into the cement dock. We have moved back on New Frontier now and dispite the hospitality of our captain and his admiral, we are very glad to be back in our regular space with Con and Jerry. More on this over drinks when we return.
Looking outside it appears downright scary. The palm trees are looking like a backdrop on a CNN weather spot. Dispit this, we just had a captain's briefing and we are shooting for a Tuesday depature to Newport at 0630. Up to this point, Sue and I had seriously considered catching a flight back to DC and then driving over to Norfolk to begin to make First Forty ready. Now, with a commitment to leave Tuesday we will maintain our wait and see posture. I am sure that no one will be ready to shove off if the condx remain the same. Our wx forecaster maintains that our first 24 hours will be 15-20kts on the nose and then it should flatten. Then our arrival in Newport could be rough again. From what I see outside, this sounds like a sea story in the making.
Stay tuned. Be aware, internet is unreliable. I may or may not be able to do posts. Please watch the weather forecast for the east coast and keep your fingers crossed.
