Stir Crazy!

May 22

We are now about 700 miles from the Caribbean in the Atlantic and hunting for wind. We catch a little here and there and are now heading farther north in an attempt to find some. Maybe another 10 days until we get to Horta in the Azores and then another 900 miles till Portugal.

Eric has started to become a little stir crazy and tried to run laps around the boat. He earlier tried to jump off the boat to save an old bucket that accidentally fell in the sea in response to the Captains sarcastic reply "Yeah Eric, go get that bucket." Luckily he had to take his sun glasses and hat off so we had time to refrain him from plunging in.

Tonight the sky is covered with clouds making the horizon invisible. The watch through the night will be slightly more unnerving as you stare out into the night with the ability to see nothing.

A few nights ago Eric and I went out into the night life for my 21st Birthday in St. Martin, where I proceeded to narrowly escape getting in a fight. sticking up for a few girls who a guy started to harass. Not long after the severely intoxicated guy was thrown to the street trying to fight multiple bouncers at once. It made for an interesting 21st.

We will be able to update occasionally during the voyage as previously unexpected. We can send out (not receive) emails through a Satellite.

Jonathan


And now, word from our Skipper:

Matt here:

Is there a more pretentiously-writen blog than this for crissakes? Jeez, whilst typing this they are arguing about the exact syntax of the sentences above. I don't think that's the important stuff at all. The main things you need to know is the very odd way in which their transat trip came about - only possible by the internet. We've (okay, mainly I have) broken lots of rules, such as that you should *never* sail long distances with people you haven't met (but it's worked so far, and quite brilliantly) and that a transat skipper should only take crew who have least reasonable experience on the water. But Eric and JJ have filled in the blanks swiftly, and with a smile. Tonight, JJ has been giving Eric dancing lessons, with Pat as dancing partner. Another great day. Oh, and finally, the answers you really want to ask but JJ and Eic will never get round to answering 1: No, there's nothing "going on" between me and Pat - my wife and her husband just don't much fancy the ocean sailing thing, and 2: No, there's nothing "going on" with Eric and JJ either, they're just good mates on an only-slightly-planned adventure.



(And the bickering between Eric and I is mainly me being "I don't care about the stikin sentence structure" and Eric reading over my shoulder wanting everything "in print" to be proper. After a short dwell with revolvers Matt conveniently had, we solved all problems. -Jonathan)



Why are there birds 700 miles out to sea? -Eric