For my sea going friends

You will see in the picture, the starboard anchor windlass, which is a part of the anchoring island on the fore deck, not to be confused with the galley which is nearly as clean but is located down bellow decks somewhere near mid ships

Busted

fore deck beers
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Its a guest day but not a guest day because we are expecting guests but we all know that they won't arrive until tomorrow. The captain always tells us its the day before it really is, so that if we have any problems in the preparations all is not lost.
The thing about guest days is that there is no beer drinking allowed. However. It was a steaming hot day and the guys were working flat out so I suggested that we sneak some beers up to deck 5 where we could sit in the CCTV / Captains blind spot and drink an after work cold one. However, however the captain decided to have a walk around the decks to see how it all looked and found 6 deck crew all fully encouraged by the 1st officer to break the rules. We were busted! Only I think he was teetering between telling us off, or joining us.
Today was also a non guest guest day because we got the news that the guests were to stay at the house for dinner and so we were off the hook again and yet again it was a long hot day and we had worked hard, so I chose the fore deck as a more secure spot for our, one after work cold beer. The beers had just been popped open and we posed for attached photo, when around the corner came the captain! Damn it! Busted again... He just said that he thought the boat was looking very good but that tomorrow is to be a guest guest day!

Miami Vice and a shrubbery

Miami
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

We have relocated from Ft Lauderdale to South Beach, Miami in prearation for the boss's visit this week. There was a big effort made towards ball cleaning and general getting readyness. This sounds simple but is a huge task. Especially when the security guard at the access gate to the facility is refusing to allow any service vehicles to the boat. Must be something to do with the clear lack of space on the quay.

The international diplomatic negotiations with the said security guard broke down completely when I decided that a delivery of flower arrangements would poesy no threat to international security and would easily make it to the ships gangway by driving straight past the fat controller. How wrong I was!

The funny part of this storey is that the cops were called! I had suggested that the security guard call 911 but instead of the Miami Vice he should call for an ambulence because I thought that his, short, fat, over zealous, American heart was in great danger of having an attack ! All over a bunch of flowers!

Luckily the police got to the root of the problem, they rose to the occasion by sending two patrol cars, Starskey and Hutch were both there! I think that they were amused at the bunch that stood before them. This seedy affair was soon sorted out and the flowers look lovely.

A bike ride and rain stops play

It seems stupid that I live on a gazzilion dollar boat and we are now in Ft Lauderdale Florida after a busy season darting about the Mediterranean and there is nothing to write home about.

Work is familiar and busy the world no less crazy than before only it it is familiar now and less surprising. We travelled 5000 miles from San Remo in Italy and now sat alongside the dock here In Lauderdale busy preparing the boat for the owners visit.

Last weekend I enjoyed a weekend with friends in Savannah and this one was mostly working but I sneaked off on my blue bike to try and show you a little journey about the place. For me Lauderdale is easy, I know the streets and where I need to go. I know where the tool shops are and the home depot, I know the suppliers by name and the agents and the dock master and the boats and the captains and a lot of crew. So it is just like a day at the office, only the underlying fact that I am not coming home from work just yet and it is probably about time that I did.

So I'm in paradise with a boat full of cocky Yarpie, Saffers (South Africans). For those that don't understand, have a look at world cup rugby on Google. We all walked up to Waxy O'Connors, the only bar showing the rugby world cup final, in this whole city! Amazing because this city has a sports bar on every corner.
So, about 300 of us paid $20 and stood packed inside and outside to watch the game. I think the score was 9-6 to S Africa when the storm began. The heavy rain and the wind huddled the crowd tight under the lean too roof like a bunch emperor penguins, the outside ones getting lashed by the storm. Then with a crash of thunder and a crack of lightning the satellite TV screens blinked and then went blank, showing only a bold "No Signal" in green, across the middle. There was not even a hope of getting a top up of beer as the place was so packed and once you were at the edge of the crowd you were doomed to be soaked as well as un-entertained.

There was nothing that could be done about the break in play and I think it added something to the spirit of the day, South Africans and English and their friends in an Irish pub, thousands of miles from home all working on boats in Ft Lauderdale, all with the common goal of wanting the rain to stop and for the tele to come back on! Finally it blinked back into action and the cocky Safers cheered to see that their team had gained a few more points against the English.. It seems to me that the only winners on this day were the Irish blokes who run the pub. Oh and the Yarpies I guess. Cocky bastards!

Blue Bike in Florida

More shagging and a Rugby Lunch

Rugby Lunch
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

The trip to Savannah was not all about the shagging (anyone new to the dull meanderings of daren packhams voyages will not know about the lovely doublentendre connected with a style of dancing found in the southern USA. DP would enjoy it if he could do it more often....It would be fun to dance sometimes as well)

While in Savannah, England were to play France in the semi final of the Rugby World Cup tornament and as always, this is a great opprtunity to get everyone together, to have a couple of beers and to watch the match.

England of course, took a victory over France and will go forward to play against South Africa in the final next weekend. So spirits were high, partly because of the game and nothing what so ever to do to do with ' Flann O'Brien's seven course lunch!

Ft Lauderdale

Ft Lauderdale
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Here we are in America once again. The crossing was calm and the reduced crew, plus Paul enjoyed the journey, taking the time to catch up on sleep, reading and watching movies, along with other entertainments that were made up along the way.

Now we are back working hard in preparation for the big boat show here in Lauderdale. I am not really a big fan of Florida! However, now that we have moved from the commercial harbour, to a great spot just up the inter coastal water way, we are more central and only have a million American rules and bye laws to obey, rather that the 2 million, down in the commercial dock.

The good news this week, is that it’s a weekend off!!! I am driving to Savannah to see friends up there. It is already sounding like fun. Look out Savannah, I’ll be a bit rusty but hoping to be shagging away all Saturday night and I might even run the wrong way around the park.. will send photo updates..

Yet more Forgetiquette

Forgetiquette
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

My friend Paul arrived back at the boat today and in all the excitement I forgot to take down the flag.

While we were chatting over a cup of tea. He said, "Arent you meant to take the flag down at sunset mate?" "Oh no! Don't you bloody well start!"

Guns and champagne

crew mess
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

After crossing over 4000 nautical miles of open ocean and securing alongside to the quay, you would think that your serious troubles were over. The dangers and challenges provided by the ever changing environment of the Atlantic ocean are one thing. When you tie up your ship in "the Land of the Free" you then have to deal with Homeland Security! That is another thing all together!!!! The guys with the uniforms and guns and the big boots are your very unfriendly and slightly intimidating welcome commitee.

They actually seemed slightly un happy that all the paperwork on board was in order and that there was no one to send home or to Guantanamo Bay.

As soon as they took their big boots and guns off the boat the mood lifted and the champagne was popped. The end of a safe crossing and the start of a busy winter season.

If you can't beat them...

Those that know me, will know that I find that the old ones, are usually the best!

The old, black shoe polish on binoculars eye pieces, certainly was beautiful today! My only regret is that there is no picture to capture the moment when Paul took the binoculars down from his eyes to reveal two perfect black, owl like rings around his eyes.

Day 9

Gorilla
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

The crew need absolutely no encouragement when it comes to fooling about and unfortunately they are being encouraged.

I would love to see the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau report....

"At the time of the incident the two watch keepers were found doubled in hysterical laughter as their hearts, slowly recovered the shock of a 6 foot gorillas sudden and loud appearance on the bridge."

The two men in question said that they were quietly watching the horizon, when Mr Breese appeared dressed as a gorilla from behind the console, causing at first sudden shock and then considerable laughter." The ship, ice burg etc went un noticed by the watch keepers who are now looking for work packing shelves at Tesco.”

Another 4 hours

Another 4 hours
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

The 4 hour bridge watch comes around quickly and Paul and I sit laughing like children as we watch the horizon and the radar for other ships.
Actually what happens is. I watch the radar and the horizon and he wants to push all the buttons and know what everything does and how it works.

Day 7

Hair salon
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Day seven brings sunshine again. By total luck we have chosen a route that has totally avoided the two tropical depressions that have swung both ahead and behind us.

Today the sun is shining and although we have a beauty salon on board the self sweeping aft deck, is a preferred location for hair cuts.

Rain showers

rain showers
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

This was day 6 and we are now more than half way. We are actually crossing the widest stretch of the Atlantic which is over 4000 Nautical miles,
The usual route between Canaries and the Caribbean is about 2800