I have to say, you boys are quite courageous out there, especially handling the unpredictable weather changes, but the experience must be second to none….especially having front row seats to those gorgeous sunrises/sunsets, and the feeling of absolute FREEDOM! What a life! I’m very envious of you boys, but in saying that, If that was me out there on deck, I’d be teaming up with Dimitri as ‘Chief Spewer’ in no time! haha.

Have you got a video camera on board? If so, I hope you’re making a short film or docco out of this! : )

So regarding Gav’s Nickname, well you said he loves to cook and cut up stuff, and he’s a legend or a trooper in relation to his ability to put up with you boys, well the first name that came to mind was ‘CUTTIN SICK’ or ‘CUT SICK’, there’s no need for me to explain the expression, as you know what it means i’m sure Nath..

Well for the Love of God, take GOOD care of yourselves out there, looking forward to reading the next chapter so to speak… xxxxxxxx ENJOY. : ) T.

Be careful Simon breaks things and will simply become a passenger after that….

Fargs

I had written him a letter which I had, for want of better
Knowledge sent to where I met him down in Sydney years ago,
He was computing when I knew him, so I sent the email to him,
Just “on spec”, addressed as follows: “Gavin, of The Undertow”.

And an answer came directed in a writing unexpected,
(And I think the same was typed on a PC left ajar)
‘Twas his office mate who wrote it, and verbatim I will quote it:
“Gavin’s gone to sea a sailin, and we don’t know where he are.”

In my wild erratic vision images come to me of Gavin
Gone a-sailin “round the world” where the best of sailors go;
As the waves are slowly lapping , Gavin sails over them humming,
For the sailor’s life has pleasures that landlubber’s never know.

And the sea hath friends to meet him, and their kindly voices greet him
In the blowing of the wind as it whistles through the spars,
And he sees the vision splendid of the blue horizon extended,
And at night the wondrous glory of the everlasting stars.

I am sitting in my Bondi Junction office, where a stingy
Ray of sunlight struggles feebly down between the buildings tall,
And the foetid air and gritty of the polluted, acrid city
Through the open window floating, spreads its foulness over all.

And in place of friendly dolphins, I can hear the blaring horns
Of the taxis and the buses making hurry down the street,
And the language uninviting of the office workers whining,
Drums slowly up the stairwell in a constant beat.

Oh how often I imagine that I’d like to change with Gavin,
Like to take a turn at sailing where the seasons come and go,
While he faced the round eternal of the cashbook and the journal -
But he no longer suits the office, Gavin, of “The Undertow”.

Thanks for sharing the dream Gav,
Pauline & Stephen

Have fun boys, I’ll keep an eye on you from here.

On that note … Gavil is the name of a character in a Polish cautionary tale. He’s the kind of guy that would tell his crew that the forecast is great for sailing knowing full well it most certainly is not … Gavin knows the story well. Not a pseudonym but perhaps an appropriate name given the events of the first night!

BTW Can you believe that the boat you’re docked next to in the last photo “Carpe Diem” was docked in Sydney at Liquidity over NY and throughout Jan!!

Have a ball guys and have a dark and stormy for me when you eventually get to Bermuda

M

P.S. Gav, Che said something to do with you at dinner last night which was seriously funny. We’ll call it a six year olds interpretation of life. Until next we speak, safe sailing