Gust Book 3

Gust Book 3

Name: L, J and H
E-mail: jezrowles @ ukonline.co.uk
Location: Essex, UK
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 13-Dec-2005 19:09

Glad you old folks managed to get Kevvo home safely ! Congratulations and thanks for the ride.

Name: kevin fleming
E-mail: fleming marine engineering @
Location: port lincoln
Interest: Sailor
Date: 13-Dec-2005 17:28

a fine sail from any prospective. exacuted and acheived in any sea and weather that the examiner could think off. you have done all sailors proud and for us personally glad to call australia home. kevin @ denise

Name: Ann Graham
E-mail: balicia.beacon @ gmail.com
Location: Maryland US
Interest: Friend
Date: 13-Dec-2005 17:00

Hello Alex and Pete - CONGRATULATIONS -

Name: George Compton
E-mail: comptongeorge @ hotmail.com
Location: Nanaimo,British Columbia,Canada
Interest: Sailor
Date: 13-Dec-2005 12:38

I read about you guys in Sailing Anarchy.Started reading your log and put my life on hold.Wish you all the best

Name: Wendy Moline
E-mail: wendymoline @ bigpond.com
Location: (temporarily) Sydney, mostly near Cairns
Interest: Sailor
Date: 13-Dec-2005 11:07

hi Alex and Peter - having been briefly in Hobart to see you arrive last year when i first heard of your intended exploits, i was delighted to hear your interview on ABC this evening (other things than sailing having occupied me in the meantime, unlike you two). And Jean's side of things when she rang in shortly afterwards! Looking forward to Berrimilla's safe arrival dockside at RANSA (or have you deserted to CYCA, Alex???)

Name: Lilian Amato
E-mail: LilianAmato @ aol.com
Location: London UK
Interest: Family
Date: 13-Dec-2005 11:03

ALLELUIA! Well Done & Congratulations. Have so enjoyed following your daily Logs and progress map,anxiously but admiringly,praying daily with your mother for your safe arrival. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH and enjoy your Christmas and may 2006 be a very blessed one for you and your families.

Name: JOHN
E-mail: BAILY @
Location: DUBLIN
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 13-Dec-2005 09:43

Congratulations --- we will make an extra three million pints of the Doctor today in Dublin,in celebration !!!

Name: Ken Schneider
E-mail: kschneider @ sprintmail.com
Location: Cape Coral, FL USA
Interest: Sailor
Date: 13-Dec-2005 08:33

Just recently got back into sailing after 30 year absense.
Best wishes from Sailing Singles of SW Florida.
Goog luck in the Sydney to Hobart race.

Name: David Carnwath
E-mail: david.carnwath @ gmail.com
Location: UK
Interest: Friend
Date: 13-Dec-2005 05:30

Bloody marvellous - and a nail biting climax, not that you probably saw that as a priority. Anyway, good luck on the Sydney leg and even more on the S2H.

DavidC

Name: J. R. Smith
E-mail: halyardz @ aol.com
Location: New Paltz, NY Hudson River
Interest: Sailor
Date: 13-Dec-2005 03:00

My sailing family wishes you guys the best.Over 55 doesn't mean you have to stay on the beach and Alex and Pete are more than proving that. A few of the other members of the Tartan owners group will also be following your adventure.Dreams transform to realities once the dock lines are untied. You have done that in fine fashion.
Jim

Name: Jennifer Rezek
E-mail: jrezek @ ozemail.com.au
Location: Sydney
Interest: Sailor
Date: 13-Dec-2005 00:55

Alex & Pete - a great big CONGRATULATIONS to you both (and of course, Berri) on closing the loop today on a remarkable and epic adventure. Hopefully next time you will have more time to stop along the way and enjoy the scenery ;-)

Best regards & see you on the S2H startline.

Name: Jennifer Rezek
E-mail: jrezek @ ozemail.com.au
Location: Sydney
Interest: Sailor
Date: 13-Dec-2005 00:46

Alex & Pete - a great big CONGRATULATIONS to you both (and of course, Berri) on closing the loop today on a remarkable and epic adventure. Hopefully next time you will have more time to stop along the way and enjoy the scenery ;-)

Best regards & see you on the S2H startline.

Name: jenny
E-mail: dsjb @ bigpond.com.au
Location: gardners bay. tas
Interest: Accidental Visitor
Date: 13-Dec-2005 00:11

as you end this epic journey I hear about you - my partner, David read about you both today in the Australian - I then looked up your log book entrants for today - I then was driving over the Woodbridge Hill - in front of me is one of the views some only dream about - and YOU - I was terribly moved to see you both and Berrimilla gently sailing up the estuary to Hobart - welcome back to Aus. David and I cannot claim to have journeyed so far and for so long, but as long distance walkers, one younger and one a lot older than you two - may that sense of adventure never leave us - or you.

Name: Graham H
E-mail: @
Location: Hobart
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 13-Dec-2005 00:04

Congratulations and well done. I was at the yacht club to see your arrival and think your endeavours are magnificent. Best wishes for the final couple of legs of the journey and here is to the London 2007 marathon hope to be on the starting line with you.
Graham,Ceri and the kids.

Name: Dennis
E-mail: Yachtboffin @ bigpond.com
Location: Dangar Island
Interest:
Date: 12-Dec-2005 19:47

Congratulations, just a H-S delivery and you are home.........(for a short while) You will be VERY thirsty by the time to get into Hobart on your return visit in a coupla weeks.....Once Again......CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

Name: Aleck J Poole
E-mail: aleck @ btinternet.com
Location: 40 miles east of London UK
Interest: Sailor
Date: 12-Dec-2005 18:05

Ever since finding an article in the RYA magazine a week ago I’ve been appreciating the logs of your trip. You really capture those moments that would be missed if written up later. They make great reading.
Having typed one or two journals underway myself, but only in a flat calm on a jog along the coast, I recognise the gendre. I will be following your progress regularly from here on. 13th December is my 67th birthday. I’ll raise a medicine cup to you then. Good Luck!

My contribution to the verse is one I’ve left in differing forms in a few guest books.

The yachtsmans' Success

Nothing works to plan of man
he can but set a course
and if through change and time elapsed
a goal of sorts is claimed
he’s doing well who’s reached that place
the one at which he aimed.

If consolation is required then you need this one….

The yachtsmans' Lament.

Nothing works to plan of man
he can but set a course
and if through change and time elapsed
a goal of sorts is claimed
the chances are its not at all
the one at which he aimed.

Name: Emma Browne
E-mail: ebrowne @ keycorp.net
Location: Keycorp, Sydney
Interest: Friend
Date: 12-Dec-2005 18:03

Hi Alex - words can not express how amazed we all are at your massive feat. Good on you, I have been following you for almost the whole trip, Ian (Dad!)& I have been regular visitors to your logs, and have ridden the waves with you. I don't know how you do it, but it's fantastic. Congratulations to you and Peter, Sal, Dad and I will do our best to wave you into Sydney Harbour next week! You're so close now, just reach out and touch it! Good on you!!

Name: Ron Brennan
E-mail: rondbrennan @ hotmail.com
Location: Cadiz, KY USA
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 12-Dec-2005 15:03

Just picked up on your seagoing adventure in the latest AARP Maz. I read everthing I can about the sea and mostly sail boats, Good Old Boats maz., etc. 70 years young and still want to try at least coastal sailing. Wishing you good luck and GodSpeed!

Name: Bob Penney
E-mail: rpenney140 @ aol.com
Location: Casper, Wyoming, USA
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 12-Dec-2005 11:08

I am a former naval person who weathered tag ends of a couple of Pacific typhoons, and I marvel at your stamina and zeal. Bravo!

Name: Amy and Greg Lansdon
E-mail: gregamy @ cia- com
Location: mountains of New Mexico,USA
Interest: Sailor
Date: 12-Dec-2005 10:55

Your adventure makes our gunkholing in the Sea of Cortez seem like child's play!We wish you well and if you ever sail to the desert climes of Baja we will meet for a cold one.
Best , Greg and Amy

Name: Harry Webster
E-mail: webster_hj @ yahoo.com
Location: Souda Bay, crete
Interest: Accidental Visitor
Date: 12-Dec-2005 08:32

Abolutely incredible adventure. Best of luck!

Name: Marcus Hayward
E-mail: mhayward @ xln.co.uk
Location: Kent .England
Interest: Sailor
Date: 12-Dec-2005 08:32

Just to let you know that I am still following your progress with awe. You are very nearly there and I wish you all the best .
p.s. Berrimilla sandwiches still selling well. Perhaps when you come to England to run the marathon you might like to take a traing run down into kent and visit my restaurant where you will be the guests of honour

warmest regards
Marcus

Name: Scott Preston
E-mail: scott.preston @ securelink.com.au
Location: Canberra / Sydney
Interest: Friend
Date: 12-Dec-2005 07:23

Alex and Pete - hope you make it to the S2H start line. I'll race you down to Hobart - my boat gets in 30 Dec and then I'll have to navigate my way from Devonport down to Hobart:-)
If you need anything transported back up from H to S, I've got a mostly empty Falcon sedan available on the return leg.
Looking forward to catching up for a wee little drink new year's eve.
Cheers, Scott.

Name: Odd-Arne Johansen
E-mail: @
Location: Norway
Interest: Sailor
Date: 12-Dec-2005 04:44

You guys rock!

Name: Philc
E-mail: philc @ vcmentors.com
Location: Sydney
Interest: Sailor
Date: 11-Dec-2005 21:39

Well the two of you are an inspiration to us all. From a little foolish thought to nearing Iron Pot with a few diversions on the way.

Your writing has been great and the book will be great, but what are we to do when this journey is over. Our receptionist, who has never sailed, is hooked on the trip. She even printed out each day when I went on holidays so I would not miss out on the story. See the effect you have on the world.

I will be out to see you into Sydney, as are a number of yachts I know, so see if you can make it in daylight.

Philc.

Name: Joanna Torreano
E-mail: Thisisdu @ msn.com
Location: NY State
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 11-Dec-2005 20:24

Saw the article in AARP. My husband and his friend are very adventuresome,so I showed your photographs to my husband hoping he WON'T get the same idea. Both my husband and his friend, live on the "edge" so to speak. GREAT photos..loved looking at them.

Name: Campbell Cooney
E-mail: cooney.campbell @ abc.net.au
Location: Melbourne
Interest: Friend
Date: 11-Dec-2005 15:34

Dear Alex and Peter.
I remember when I crewed aboard Berrimilla during the Sailing South week in Hobart, 2002, you telling me that you planned to take this trip.
Embarrassingly for me, despite being a member of the media, the trip's nearly over and I have just learned about it. So my apologies to you for not getting in touch earlier.
It's great to hear you have made this dream come true, and it looks you it's been a hell of an experience.
Wonderful to hear you are both nearly home, and home safely.
Warm regards.
Campbell Cooney.

Name: Bill
E-mail: sail_fast_bill @ hotmail.com
Location: Michigan, USA
Interest: Sailor
Date: 11-Dec-2005 11:09

Hope you're basking in pleasant weather and fair winds, while I'm freezing my butt. My thoughts are with you.

Name: Peter Cox
E-mail: pjcox @ froggy.com.au
Location: Sydney Australia
Interest: Sailor
Date: 11-Dec-2005 07:56

G'day Alex, & Heartiest congrats to you & my namesake for a brill effort. Without wanting to pry, I'm amazed & heartened that 2 blokes can endure what you've done - sail changes immersed in spray & rain + (superburbly put) tumbling warehouses going by.
Lucky there were only 2 unscheduled swims in the whole trip, eh?

Went for a sail on SH today, & asked the owner of Anthanta II whether RANSA had a good party planned. He answered - pretty much, "You bet!!!" to sum it up.

A magnificent effort by Peter & you - but now is the time to cheer up & enjoy!!
Cheers

Name: Mat Gray
E-mail: mjmsgray @ tasmail.com
Location: Bellerive Tasmania
Interest: Sailor
Date: 11-Dec-2005 05:09

Alex and Pete, we have 2 young children who have followed you all the way,it looks a little like their going to get a little time of school,because theres no way were going to miss the iron pot arrival! well done guys"

Name: TLeana Sheets
E-mail: @
Location: Indiana, USA
Interest: Accidental Visitor
Date: 10-Dec-2005 20:48

You Aussies are absolutely awesome!!!!!! Loved the pictures on your website and admire your perseverance and courage.

Name: chuck pringle
E-mail: pringmk @ unitelsd.com
Location: bridgewater south dakota
Interest: Accidental Visitor
Date: 10-Dec-2005 20:10

read about you in the aarp bulletinboard. sounds like you are an the trip of a lifetime wish you well

sincerely

chuck pringle

Name: Grady Stokes
E-mail: gstokes @ charter.net
Location: Waynesville N .Carolina
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 10-Dec-2005 15:08

Good luck...keep sailing...inspration to all the rest of us "old farts".

Name: Grady Stokes
E-mail: gstokes @ charter.net
Location:
Interest:
Date: 10-Dec-2005 15:06

Name: Peter Good
E-mail: pgood53 @ yahoo.com
Location: Chicago, USA
Interest: Sailor
Date: 10-Dec-2005 09:35

Read about you in AARP magazine. I race on Lake Michigan, and have done a dozen or so Chicago to Mackinac races (333 mi race). Felt rather good about my sailing accomplishments until I saw the chart tracking YOUR travels.

Hold your course, sail fast, and Godspeed!

Peter Good

Name: Mr, John F.Hurley
E-mail: MOPA12HOTMAIL.COM @
Location: MESQUITE,Nv.89024-8000
Interest: Sailor
Date: 09-Dec-2005 23:35

Gentlemen,
I tip my hat to you & wish you the best of luck ! I have always wanted to sail around the world some day ? In fact I hoped to get a sailboat
when I retire an sail around the world. Well I hope god give you great sailing
weather for your grand trip. GOD'S SPEED.

Name: L.C. Florence
E-mail: fones.1 @ netzero.net
Location: Nashua, NH
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 09-Dec-2005 19:49

Read an article about you in AARP and just wanted to say (one old fart to another)I wish you both a safe trip. Glad to see someone has the courage to fulfill their dreams. Now that I know you are out there, I will continue to follow your journey. God Speed.

Name: Barbary & Bill Chaapel
E-mail: bchaapel @ aol.com
Location: mountains of West Virginia
Interest: Sailor
Date: 09-Dec-2005 15:59

Kudos to you both for courage and fortitude. We are sailors returned home from the sea.

Name: Joe Casey
E-mail: pjcasey112 @ yahoo.com
Location: Annapolis, MD, USA
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 09-Dec-2005 15:40

Have been reading daily since finding you two somewhere between NZ and the Horn. Truly brilliant! A book is mandatory.

Name: George R. Wiltsie
E-mail: grw @ wiltsie.net
Location: Ithaca, New York, USA
Interest: Sailor
Date: 09-Dec-2005 12:31

Ran across your site when mentioned on listserv 4 my boat, a Catalina 27. Most of us only dream of doing what you are actually doing. Best of luck!!

Name: harry melnick
E-mail: maggharry @ aol.com
Location: Las Cruces New Mexico
Interest: Sailor
Date: 09-Dec-2005 11:50

Being a retired Navy man I wish you both Fair Winds and a Following Sea.

Name: Ella May Rinehart
E-mail: ssurvivor @ mailaka.net
Location: Forsyth, Missouri, USA
Interest: Accidental Visitor
Date: 09-Dec-2005 11:37

Read about you in the AARP magazine, and have visited your site several times since. Have a son who lives in Clermont, Queensland, Au. and sent him this site also.
Good luck to you, and my husband James, says "right on" he's one of those old farts too.

Name: Joyce Hargrove
E-mail: joycehargrove @ aol.com
Location: Ohio USA
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 09-Dec-2005 07:19

I read an article on your voyage in the AARP bulletin. I love adventures such as this, so I am watching everyday. Hope you have a safe voyage.

Joyce

Name: Stuart Murray
E-mail: stuart.murray30 @ ntlworld.com
Location: Hampshire uk
Interest: Sailor
Date: 09-Dec-2005 03:37

I have a son living in Aus (Brisbane) I still have to work for a doller but would love to sail across to see him. It's the dream at the moment, which I hope will become a rality. Your adventure is definitely an Inspiration.
Best of luck
Stuart Murray

Name: Ann Graham
E-mail: balicia.beacon @ gmail.com
Location: Silver Spring MD USA
Interest: Friend
Date: 08-Dec-2005 22:31

Alex and Pete, I feel so lucky to have been able to follow your adventures. I think I joined just after the S2H race 2004. I think you guys are the greatest. Here's a toast to your bravery, ambition, foresight, determination, perseverance, and true grit! Wish you the best in the last leg of the trip and hope you are successful in organizing all the data you've collected - both as a learning tool for others that will follow you and as a great book to read on a cold wet winter night. I can just see you and Pete gazing off into the sunset, remembering every toss and turn, with a broad grin on your face! I hope you inspire generations of sailors to follow their dreams... Ann

Name: Jay Belsan
E-mail: jay.belsan @ sun.com
Location: Nederland, CO Ogallala, NE USA
Interest: Sailor
Date: 08-Dec-2005 16:35

I pulled my 7.9M S2 out of Lake McConaughy 11/25 several months after all the rest of the sailboats on the lake had been put to bed. I hope to see all the oceans of the world in the future, but for now I will sail on my lake and join my sister and brother in law in "Born to Cruise" in NC and the caribbean.

Name: Eddie Premaza
E-mail: jades3123 @ aol.com
Location: Richmond Va.
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 08-Dec-2005 15:10

anxiously waiting to hear the news that you got back
love the water, sailed once for 3 days loved it.
now not able.
good luck

Name: Karen
E-mail: gimp54 @ hotmail.com
Location: Peoria, Illinois USA
Interest: Accidental Visitor
Date: 07-Dec-2005 20:30

Hoping the best for the both of you. Read about your adventure in the AARP magazine. Love to see others making their dreams come true and proving to themselves and the world they can do it! So good luck and I will keep watching your progress.

Name: Prudence Hulett
E-mail: runner @ ywave.com
Location: Tenino, Washington-USA
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 07-Dec-2005 18:16

Hooray!!!! what a wonderful thing you are doing! I am 62 and a runner-I also work with wolves and hybrids-grew up with a father who loved to sail and a brother who still does! I envy you and your journey-

Name: Annie Myers
E-mail: ANNALORI1948 @ MSN.COM
Location: Kaufman, TX
Interest: Accidental Visitor
Date: 06-Dec-2005 22:52

Found an aritcle about your voyage in this month's copy of AARP and just had to check it out. I have a fondest for lighthouses also. God be with you all

Name: George W. Watson, Jr
E-mail: georgewatsonjr @ rtsnj.com
Location: South Orange, New Jersey
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 06-Dec-2005 18:30

I wish you all the best.

Name: John Majewski
E-mail: johnm @ narhex.com.au
Location: Avalon NSW
Interest: Sailor
Date: 06-Dec-2005 15:32

Hello Alex and Peter,

I just read Yachting monthly Oct. about your fine adventure! Well done for having the knowledge and courage to undertake the many unknown risks....I can only say WOW...I have only stated to read your latest log entries I find it more interesting then most sailing books as you give a blow by blow effect on your life's.

Your effort is of special interest, for two reasons. One I'm 60 and two, I have a sailing boat that has been waiting for many years to take it somewhere other then New Caledonia. She is nearly ready.

Lately I have been upgrading her to do just that. She a vintage 1987'sh open 50' about 8.5 tons water ballasted. Now sitting patiently on a Pittwater mooring.

Of special interest to you for your future adventures...I have just installed a wonderful new wind generator D400 made by Eclectic Energy UK... this unit give's me more power then I believed is possible 500 watts at 32 kn. believe it or not it keeps my 700 amp hr banks full and its quiet!!!.

I'm happy to put money in your hat, as I hope to benefit by printing out your log and read all of it over the holidays with great interest.

Welcome back and thanks, showing us what can be done!!!!

John Majewski
Skoiern iv

johnm@narhexmax.com.au

Name: Charlie Townsend
E-mail: Charles7728 @ sbcglobal.net
Location: Belton,Texas
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 05-Dec-2005 20:43

Read about the trip in AARP Bulletin on Dec. 05. Good luck.

Name: Leo
E-mail: gunsinger2000 @ yahoo.com.au
Location: Melbourne
Interest: Friend
Date: 05-Dec-2005 19:29

Hi again, with things going wellish and everything getting close to fulfillment (apart from Tas customs) I thought a bit of levity might be in order, so here's a doggeralian update with chorus...

In days of old in Sydney town there lived a modest duo
Sir Peter and Sir Alex who did make a right fine crew-o
To sail a ship upon the sea for both could grip a tiller
So one fine day, God sent their way, the lovely "Berrimilla"

She was a sturdy Brolga and her like's not seen today
Built to last and full of class, old salts would say, "Oh aye,
Had I a ship as good as this the world would be my oyster
I'd sail the seas just as I please and come home just to roister

Oh heave away me hearty lads / heave away me beauty
We're both ye ken true brolga men / and we must do our duty

Word spread around old Sydney town that something big was brewing
A wondrous great adventure that would need some special crewing
At least two men, though some said ten, would see the venture started
This was the real McCoy me boys, not for the chicken hearted

Sir Peter and Sir Alex knew the call was meant for them
For as we've earlier implied they were both doughty men
Doughty men and sailors bold, the best there were down under
But there was one deluded soul who tried to steal their thunder

Oh heave away me hearty lads etc

Sir fenwick was a sailor too, though one not quite so doughty
But living long upon the sea he was both hale and hearty
Not one to mumble in his beard within which spit did glisten
He cried "It's sad, these lads are mad, oh why wont people listen?"

But all his fears fell on deaf ears as people chose our heroes
And several sponsors joined the fray and promised many zeroes
And Sir Alex and Sir Peter bid their loved ones "Fare thee well,
We're off to seek adventure now, and whither none can tell"

Oh heave away me hearty lads etc

So on a bright and sunny day they gathered at the pier
And loaded Berrimilla, taking great care with the beer
For they were set to sail the world and might be gone some time
And it's no place upon the deep to be left with only wine

And with their needs attended to they swiftly sailed away
And all who knew and loved them settled down to pray
And Fenwick in his sorrow went to church to make amends
Then came the word 'We're doing fine, no need to worry friends"

Oh heave away me hearty lads etc

"We've had some right adventures and we're thinking of a book
And someone out in Hollywood might care to take a look
Russel Crowe could well play me said Alex, what say fellers?
And Geoffrey Rush could do for Pete what he did for Peter Sellers

Dreams aside our epic trip comes slowly to a close
Our two intrepid mariners might make it by a nose
They've lived in fear fo one whole year but God was on their side
And He'll make sure when Hobarts near, they'll catch the running tide

Hope it fits...all the very best...L

Name: Philip Crumpler
E-mail: thecrump98 @ aol.com
Location: Pleasanton, Ca, USA
Interest: Accidental Visitor
Date: 05-Dec-2005 15:56

Name: Paul
E-mail: pmrot_at_yahoo.com.au @
Location: Canberra
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 05-Dec-2005 07:29

Peter and Alex,
Have been following your exploits now since you entered the indian ocean. Your journey is at once captivating, inspirational and bloody scary. Your log entries are compulsory reading for me - I shall miss them. Thanks for taking us along for the ride, and good luck getting to the s2h. As always, I shall be cheering for Berri at the start, all the more so this year. Good luck and may the Examiner send you home safely with an A+.

Name: Ted Sakkis
E-mail: apollontravel @ yahoo.com
Location: Castro Valley, California USA
Interest: Accidental Visitor
Date: 04-Dec-2005 18:34

Saw your brief story at the AARP newsletter "two old farts in a small boat" and don't know about the first part of the statement but at 33' it is really a very small size boat for this kind of journey. Been a merchant seamen of long ago myself, and sailing onboard very large ships, I know that N & S Atlantic and Pacific oceans can get very nasty some times. Take care of your selves and God Almighty and St.Nicholas (Seamen' Patron Saint) may be with you all the way to Sidney and who knows maybe will see you around the Greek Islands next year.

Name: Timothy Booher
E-mail: bebebooher @ sbcglobal.net
Location: USA Edmond, Oklahoma
Interest: Sailor
Date: 03-Dec-2005 23:59

Enjoyed all of the notes especially the storm, heavy weather sailing. Getting a 1976 Westsail 28 soon.

Name: Ed Vomacka
E-mail: edjudyvom1234 @ earthlink.net
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 02-Dec-2005 08:48

I saw an article on your trip in the current issue of AARP and as as a former sailor and commidor in Oklahoma I had to check this out.

Name: Umberto "Nappy" Napolitano`
E-mail: unaps @ hotmail.com
Location: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, USA
Interest: Sailor
Date: 30-Nov-2005 10:11

Best wishes for a safe completion of your voyage. Someday, hope to buy you two a pint or two. Cheers!!

Name: Dennis Cooke
E-mail: yachtboffin @ bigpond.com
Location: Dangar Island
Interest: Sailor
Date: 29-Nov-2005 06:36

As per your special request, thought I should say Hello..........Have watched/read with interest your voyage. Very impressive, definetly insane :)
Hope your good progress continues, and you have plenty of time to pass that last Great Cape, rather than having to go via the short cut.....( some short cut ) Sail fast, sail safe !!!

Name: jason murphy
E-mail: @
Location: syd
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 28-Nov-2005 09:14

incredable.look forward to seeing ye at the start of the s2h.safe passage.

Name: Leo Taylor
E-mail: gunsinger2000 @ yahoo.com.au
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Interest: Friend
Date: 28-Nov-2005 00:54

Hi Guys, still following facinated and fandoogled. Best of luck in making the deadline. Please forgive following levity.
A Doggerallian Ode

There were an ancient mariner in Sydney town of old
By name he were Sir Alex, and his tale it now be told
With trusty old Sir Peter they made a dauntly pair
And we can now encapsulate the dream they both did share

To sail the world upon the sea, and prove the earth is round
To undertake adventure and arrive home safe and sound
To go where none has gone before, or at least to feel that way
And this their tale abridged be which none can here gainsay

The rumour down in Sydney and the word all over town
Was Sir Peter and Sir Alex would prove the world was round
And to demonstrate their theory all they needed was a boat
nothing really fancy, just so long as it would float

"Berrimilla" was a treasure rescued from a backyard pool
Waterproofed and tarted up she was the perfect tool
For our hardy two adventurers to prove their noble quest
Was more than mere conjecture, they would put it to the test

So they left one sunny morning in a gentle warm up race
To a little town called Hobart on Australia's underface
Where the people loved their "Coopers" and their marmalade in chunks
(Though overdoing either would confine folk to their bunks)

And tweny million Sydnyites turned out to give a cheer
But one old fart, Sir Fenwick, muttered curses in his beer
"Those bloody fools, they broke the rules, no good will come of this
Mark my words these two will fail, now I must needs go piss"

So piss he did, but in that world that other folk did live in
Great hope was had that these two lads would never ever give in
They'd sail their boat and stay afloat until their point was made
The world is round, the theory's sound, now pass the marmalade.

Well done! L

Name: Miles Barker
E-mail: miles_barker @ hotmail.com
Location: London, England
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 15-Nov-2005 18:30

I came across this site after the Yachting Monthly article - I'm part inspired, part in awe, and much more sceptical of invites to help sail a boat back to NZ....

Whatever, given what you're overcoming, your humour's amazing - and it's nice to know we're not the only ones who recognise that "restorative" is the correct term for a G&T!!

Keep your peckers up & I hope the next few papers whisk you E in time!!

Name: Katherine and Stephen Ind
E-mail: katherineind @ yahoo.co.uk
Location: Walton-on-Thames, UK
Interest: Sailor
Date: 13-Nov-2005 06:10

We are fair-weather sailors who occasionally get caught out. It's amazing to see how you cope with what's thrown at you. We read the logs every day and worry with you!

Name: Dave Vinnicombe
E-mail: dave.vinnicombe @ gb.co.za
Location: Durban
Interest: Sailor
Date: 08-Nov-2005 07:27

Well done guys. I truly admire your grit - and humour. I have been following your trip down the Atlantic and into the Indian Ocean. The latter fills me with dread when I see the lows streaming through and how closely the isobars are packed. Gonna be one helluva ride. Btw I built myself a Wharram Tiki 38 that I launched last year. I doubt I will ever sail in waters cooler than 20 degrees! Haveagoodie.

Name: John McCormack
E-mail: huon_24 @ bigpond.com
Location: Chatswood
Interest: Sailor
Date: 08-Nov-2005 06:22

Am a cruising sailor and have just bought an S&S 34 which I am refitting to go cruising, and maybe a Pittwater-Coffs Offshore series. As I hit middle age, these two guys show that you can still do it if you want to and are able to get off your freckle to go for it.

Name: Nick Creech
E-mail: creechn @ theaustralian.com.au
Location: Pittwater
Interest: Sailor
Date: 07-Nov-2005 06:16

Setting up my boat for a Southern Ocean solo and managed to buy a second-hand Merlin through Boat Books in Crows Nest and thus, for what it's worth, I know that they can reprogram the calculator as and when necessary. Hang in there and would love to buy you a couple or three and pick your brains some time. Regards. NC (P.S. Once crewed a winter season with Peter Joubert on his own Brolga. Entertaining.)

Name: Chris Yardley
E-mail: chris.yardley @ ntlworld.com
Location: Hampshire UK
Interest: Interested Observer
Date: 05-Nov-2005 08:30

Started reading the site about a week ago and I'm hooked. Truly inspirational. Makes me want to give up flying (well - maybe not give it up completely)and try the same caper. Will have to learn to sail first though... Have started by mixing up some Coopers with youngest son today, so getting the important bits out of the way first. Good luck chaps - keep it as safe as you can.

Name: T M Birch
E-mail: terrybirch @ deudraeth.net
Location: Wales UK
Interest: Sailor
Date: 03-Nov-2005 20:04

Love reading your stuff, planning an Atlantic crossing-Canarys Caribbean. What is a Gust Book?

Name: Ian
E-mail: rhumbdo @ tiscali.co.uk
Location: Chatham
Interest: Sailor
Date: 30-Oct-2005 03:13

With apologies to all poets, past and present!!

Down in the Southern ocean with seas so steep
Battles Berri onward while landlubbers sleep
Waves crash down from as high as the mast
And the crew want to know how long it will last

A consultation or two with the doctor each day
Help these two old farts stagger on their way
Not for this pair are the slippers and pipe
Should I bid for their t-shirt using Hammersnipe?

They beat to the north to escape the worst
But it doesn’t work, this ploy of theirs
For the examiner hears of it and scuppers the plan
And orders more waves, then speeds up the fan

But “How did ‘he’ know?” ask the wily old pair
The answer is behind them, up in the air!
Old alby glides by all pink in the light
And reports back to ‘him’ what’s in his sight

The examiner laughs, there’s a glint in his eye
And the bomb doors are opened as alby flies by
They jink to the left and then the right
But it’s too late now, Kevvo’s covered in shite

It gets worse each day, can they take much more
For it’s still a long way to the old barn door
The folks at home read the sitreps each day
While the old farts onboard begin to pray

And it’s not over yet for while the duo heave to
The examiner plans more than a knockdown or two
Over she goes, to one twenty or more
Gear flying about to land on the floor

But Alex writes on during this terrible spell
For this old sailor has much to tell
Stories of Merlin - defunct, dead, deceased
Lost sandals and glasses on their journey east

Jammed at the table by elbows and knees
Squinting to hit one in three right keys
Pete wedged in the bog, a little unsure
Shouts that this wasn’t in the bloody brochure

And wet socks are the order of the day
For the ferals have eaten the boots away
The doctor’s on ration, this isn’t a jest
The stock is depleted in the medicine chest

Water cannot be made without wrigglies we hear tell
And the genny and solar panel are both shot to hell
The tinnies in the eski have rusted away
Someone should have given them a monthly spray

Wet party gear on to change sail once more
As Berri is nearing the elusive barn door
Then at last, it’s here, they are finally through
And their shout can be heard……WOOHOO….WOOHOO!!

Name: Ian
E-mail: rhumbdo @ tiscali.co.uk
Location: Chatham
Interest: Sailor
Date: 28-Oct-2005 18:20

You guys have had me worried on more than one occasion just lately, the old freckle has eaten the cushion on computer chair - and the spare! Good to hear you are in the Indian now, and hopefully on the home leg. Thanks for the mention in earlier log, and I'll certainly try to look you up in Oz. Following your progress twice daily still, not envying the conditions but sharing the consultations with you. Best of luck guys, truly inspirational!!

Name: Eric Frank
E-mail: qccsyd @ tpg.com.au
Location: Sydney
Interest: Sailor
Date: 26-Oct-2005 18:11

Keep smiling...well done so far and a great read...will miss you as a competitor in the Lord Howe race this Saturday..Best Wishes..
Eric Frank..Debonair

Name: Wockaspeed
E-mail: chiltonhold @ bigpond.com
Location: Warrawee
Interest: Friend
Date: 26-Oct-2005 08:10

Your logs have moved me and Gunter prompted me. With great apologies to Banjo I went from movement to verse. It is unfinished but maybe some of your gusts would like to help end it!
THE MEN ON BERRIMILLA
There’s been movement on the Berri, for the storms have passed around
And the breaking swell has covered her with spray
But she’s tamed those wild white horses - she’s worth a thousand pounds
I am sure that’s what her crew will always say.
She’s a tried and steady lady with a beam that broad and far
That keeps her standing up through day and night
But her aging crew who love hard sailing where the wild seas are
Are now dreaming of the land that’s out of sight.

There is Alex, who got his piles when Titus refused the head
An old man with his hair as pink as skin
Though few can sleep beside him when his socks are off in bed
He is to Berri like a tonic is to gin.
And Peter of the galley, who came to lend a hand
No better sailer ever stood the test
For even when the going was as rough as you could stand
Peter found the Doctor and the chest.

Berrimilla.com