Atlantic crossing - Bermuda to the Azores #2

Waking up on a boat, starts your day off right.  It’s 5:30 am, the sun is up and it seems later.   Made my bed and my way up to the deck.  Its a cool morning here in St. Georges Harbour A.K.A. “Convict Bay” where the waters are crystal clear like glass in the morning, a nicely protected anchorage.

It was named after the British used obsolete warships as floating prisons during the American revolution in 1799 and 1824 and towed them here.  (I can’t think of a better place to be imprisoned). After the departure of the navy ships and felons, Convict's Bay became a residential neighborhood but kept the street names as reminders.  Convict's Lane, Barrack Street, Old Military Road, Grenadier, and Red Coat Lane.

     Most sailors here at St. Georges Harbor came from the U.S. and are also trying to escape and make their way to the Azores.  All of us are awaiting weather windows.         

     I hear Dan stirring below and the coffee begins to waft through the air outside the galley.  Its Sunday; as we enjoy our morning coffee we hear a siren.  It a huge 35 foot trawler making its way directly at us.  Would you like a blessing this morning the priest hollers from the foredeck of the boat dressed in a magenta cassock with his two clergymen at his side?  Sure we said.  He began “Bless O Lord this Vessel and all who sail her; may she be a trustworthy and safe servant.  In the name of the Father son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.” And the holy water splashed against the boat as he slung it from the bowl.  I felt safer and at peace as he said Amen.  Like time stood still for a moment.  It was the beginning of another good day.

  We rowed to shore got on a bus, rode to the big city of Hamilton to the Phoenix pharmacy and a couple of souvenir shops.  Walking around I bought deck shoes a straw hat, and two keychains. One said “come back to Bermuda” in the shape of a boomerang.  Ate a slice of pizza in the park, fed the birds the crust and bought a bus ticket back to St, Georges since the ferry was closed.  

     Rowed back.  Turkey sandwiches on wheat for lunch.  Dan rowed off to the Canadian sailor who loaned him her rigging tensioner.  “What’re  you bringin her?”  “Nothing” “you gotta bring her something as a thank you.  Take potatoes”.  Returning he said “she loved the potatoes.”  She’d sailed from Canada to the Azores, Europe, back to Trinidad, up the Caribbean islands to Cuba over to Bermuda on her way back to Canada and she did it alone in a 30’ boat...I’m jealous. As darkness fell a huge motored dinghy pulled along side.  Hey, I’m Thomas.  “Looking for an opportunity to cross he Atlantic and heard you were looking for crew.”  He said he’d come back in the morning to talk.  We didn’t tell him, but Aleks is scheduled to land at 3:00pm but theres still no guarantee.   So we agreed to meet him in the morning.  

     Had an awesome roastbeef and potato dinner.  Crashed early.  

     Woke up at 6am, took a dive into the ocean while Dan made Grüt (groot) swedish for oatmeal!  It’s become a routine aboard Resö.  Its not bad slathered in Nutella or raspberry jelly.  Goes well with the grainy black coffee...😛

    Thomas arrives and comes aboard.  We tell him the truth about the situation with Aleks and  he understands.  Turns out he’s crossed the Atlantic three times and he’s only 25 born and raised in Bermuda.  Looks exactly like Riley from Sailing La Vagabonde.  Cool guy. 

  We Rowed to town and I bought stuff for baking bread and pancakes.  Went to the museum and looked around.  Everything was still closed due to the holiday. It’s Bermuda National Hero’s Day...I love these people and everyone of them and their dog was in the bay today.  Yesterday all day in town they wished me happy fathers day I bet ten times.  Genuinely kind and sincere folks here in Bermuda.  

Came back to the boat put up the sails and inserted all the battens into the sails and velcroed them in.  Replaced the sail covers Dan ran the engine to top off the batteries.  Crickets are chirping sun is setting music is playing on a boat nearby, Dan is starting dinner.  Tomorrow we provision the boat top off the water and fuel and meet Aleks!  Woohoo!  Its gonna be a good day!