Trudy’s Neighborhood

Well we hoist the main sail for the last time tomorrow  tis Liverpool bound for us. It’s as been a busy time in Cork parties and the like. Now it is the start of the last race then the fanfare of Liverpool with boat parades, locking in via the half tide dock, presentations, reunions with the family then  the  last farewells . In some way I will miss it all and everybody in other it will be good to be home and see all the folks I have missed. Nice to get plenty of sleep and eat all the favourite food I have missed (Oh for a glass of ribena ) catch up on all and everybody’s news. Will get around to seeing everybody eventually.

We sail up the Mersey at about 11:30 Saturday we should be docked for mid afternoon. Don’t think there will be a lot of time to meet and greet everybody who might be there but will do what I can. We will be off to the presentation for 17:00. So if you are there and I don’t get to see you will see you soon. Should finally been home sometime Sunday.  

We are leaving Sydney (Nova Scotia) at 16:00 your time today (16^th June) the first part of the trip will probably involve  some motoring (no wind).It is cold and we have been warned to keep a iceberg watch.  We have even bought extra thick glove to go over existing glove when helming etc. The track we are to take will be slightly north of the site of the Titanic sinking all just a bit worrying. Looking at the predicted winds looks like being a lively ride back across the Atlantic. Hoping I will not be sea sick I seem to have been getting better. I was even up on the fore deck in rough weather on the race between Halifax and Sydney. (a bit scary) Looking forwards to seeing everybody once I get back . Em

currently in Nova Scotia having a few days break, the last race only lasted a few days but was hard work. The hot temps and sun bathing weather has given way to wearing everything I own one night i had 3 hats on and was still frozen to the bone. We got another podium place, 3rd this time. we were in 1st at one point but the wind has been rubbish and really foggy all the time. we arrived in halifax at 4am which was 5am local time after beer and burgers we headed to bed to get up at 8am to do jobs on the boat. before sailing into the town for the d250 event. the first day here for me was spent shopping for 14 people for 16 days, then i had to bag and pack it all away on the boat ( day over!) this was yesterday hot and sunny, today was my day off cold and very cold! Hlaifax is a cool little town old and new, with a couple of mil. pubs and bars. off up the coast in a few day and then back over to uk waters and Cork.  i will be back in liverpool on the 5th july (we have to be!) for those that are intrested. right off to have some sleep even though it is 3.30pm as i still can not sleep longer than 4 hours at a time. love to everyone em

Left New York after whistle stop tour, just 2 nights spent most of the time in Immigration & customs  then provisioning the boat so did not get a lot of time to do the Big Apple. Now off north to Nova Scotia not a lot of wind at start, but plenty of fog. Should  be there by Sunday. Hopefully there will be time for a bit of tourism in either Halifax or Sydney. I have got a lot of corporate sailing  to do during NS stop over then it is turn south and head towards home. Love to everyone see you all soon

Set off on the last leg (4 races) now on race 11 Jamaica to New York.  The forecast is for light winds so could be a tactical race. Only twelve crew this race so will be busy but think we have a good set of guys.  We did not start well 9^th across line but have made up since now at front of the fleet. Should get there for next weekend. I am now the skippers private nurse (tending stitches in his arm).  Had a bad hair experience in Jamaica, did not cost much but did not get much.  Seemed to fit a lot into such a short stop. Can’t wait to get back and see everybody now, still going north feels like going home.  See you all soon.

currently in panama waiting to go through the canal, which should be tomorrow, all very cool. recovered now from the last race and ready to get going again. had a cool birthday yesterday chilling out in the old town. i will try and upload some photos in Jamaica in 4 days time, but for today shopping is calling and some nice food before we go back to boat food of rice pasta and noddles, although the sea sickness diet could be on the cards again very soon.

the email on the boat is not working so sorry if you have emailed and i have not got back to you, lets just say it is rubbish! 

Second place race 9. We are all really happy to finish second even if the race had to be shortened 1000+ miles short  of Panama. The race was shortened on time factors and we are all now motoring to make best time to Panama to get a slot to cross the canal.  I personally did a lot of the helming on this race which gave me great satisfaction. The weather is now warm, even too warm. Looking forwards to time ashore. Better diet on shore. Then the prospects of navigating the Panama canal.

Once we are through the canal we will be heading north which will feel like we are going home, which will be good. Missing everybody at home

The racing as been tight from the start perhaps not enough wind all of the time. Warm in the day but cold at night. Therefore need full wardrobe of clothes. But the boat is relatively dry . My hard work sail sewing in Hawaii is holding up well to date. Still getting some amazing sky’s at night , clear unending blue by day. About a third of the way south now just need a bit more wind to speed us on. The best to all at home.

We're  off south to Panama. Hopefully down wind most of the way. We made a great start 2^nd over the line. Been in front last 24 hours. Not feeling sick at moment . I am a member of Rum watch for this leg with Chris, Oscar, Carl, Hen and Steve other watch is coke.  I have been on mother watch so nice relaxing start form me. We have had some fabulous skies all sorts of colours. Still feeling a bit cold but is warming up as we go south. Had the company of a school of black dolphins earlier. Looking forward to the passage through the Panama canal. Best regards to all back home .