Rob and Natalie's Voyages on sv Wilhelm

THE END OF OUR JOURNEY: We arrive in Maine! June 7, 2011

2011-06-12T01:21:00.000+02:00

Nine and a half years after we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, headed for Maine, we have arrived. We passed Cape Elizabeth at dawn on a clear still morning, turned into Casco Bay toward Portland and our new home in South Portland.

Ben, Eva and Luke waved us past Bug Light.

Bermuda to Maine

2011-06-11T18:24:00.000+02:00

We worked our way north from Bermuda and decided to transit the Cape Cod canal, to avoid strong northerly winds to the east. The weather grew colder; dolphins met us along the way, and a few large ships crossed our path.

A favorite Aunt and Uncle stood beside the Cape Cod Canal, and waved us on our way.

Bermuda

2011-06-11T17:48:00.000+02:00

Bermuda Day parade in Hamilton

Charles
and
Carie met us in Bermuda.

Charles stayed to help sail the final leg of our journey.

Passage to Bermuda

2011-06-11T17:32:00.000+02:00

Act III visible ahead of Wilhelm's gennaker

We sailed north from the US Virgin Islands to Bermuda in company of Act III, a boat heading home to New Hampshire via Bermuda. After one difficult night of lightening, rain, and high winds, the trip was a calm one.

We are not the only ones affected by erratic weather - an exhausted bird landed on the boat, so tired and dehydrated that it sipped water from Rob's hand.

St John, USVI. (18.36,-64.75) May 1 - May 9

2011-05-08T19:40:00.003+02:00

Matt, Anna and Nina came to Maho Bay, St. John, and we spent almost a week with them. What a special time we had. To see the photo album. CLICK HERE

Antigua. A visit from Blair and beautiful boats! April. (17.00, -61.76)

2011-05-02T21:10:00.000+02:00

Blair spent almost a week on Wilhelm while we were in Antigua and Barbuda. Highlights of his visit included visiting some untraveled spots in the north of Antigua and Barbuda; snorkeling in warm clear water; watching classic boats arrive for the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta; and spending several days in Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour – a semi-restored area that was a center of British Naval activity in the 1700’s.

After Blair left, we stayed to watch the Antigua Classics Regatta.

CLICK HERE to see more photos

Horse Racing on Nevis. March 27, 2011 (17.15, -61.63)

2011-04-26T18:47:00.002+02:00

Strolling around Nevis, we read a poster about horse racing that afternoon. One of the horses was named Obama, and the poster proclaimed "Obama say Limb by Limb we a go cut dem down." We wanted a chance to bet on Obama, so off we went.

We learned that race horses in Nevis are primarily rescue horses from Puerto Rico. Local enthusiasts take horses that would otherwise be put down, and train them. Obama lived up to his reputation and came home a winner in his race, and the track was one of the most scenic anyone could find. Here are photos of the jockeys walking to their mounts, Obama headed for the starting line, horses racing home, and the grandstands.

Throughout the Caribbean we have seen our President viewed as an inspiration and symbol of hope to the people who live here - St. Kitts has an honorary stamp and Antigua has renamed its highest mountain. Many businesses have posted photos of Obama.

St. Martin, Anguilla, Saba, St. Kitts. (Saint Christopher)

2011-03-24T13:39:00.002+02:00

In a nutshell, St Martin is the home of mega yachts, Anguilla is like Cape Cod, Saba is a big mountain belonging to Holland, and St Kitts - Nevis is an independent country struggling to find its identity....,
All different, all with pros and cons for the potential visitor.

We didn't take any photos in St. Martin. We've already posted a lot of photos of white beaches, so will skip Anguilla. To visit Saba, we took a ferry from St Martin and climbed to the "highest point in the kingdom of the Netherlands." The extinct volcano rises abruptlyl 2855' from the sea, and the trail has 1064 steps, with a thick rope to grab toward the summit.

Guadeloupe

2011-03-11T00:30:00.000+02:00

Another wonderful French island, with baquettes delivered to the boat every day, wonderful French cheese and wine BUT lots of wind, which made our anchorage in Les Saintes very uncomfortable. Another big fort – this one a French fort. The sea between Les Saintes and Dominica was the site of one of the major naval battles in history, between the French and English. It is all very important American history, and the assistance the Colonial forces received from the French but too lengthy to discuss here. After two windy days in the Saints, we sailed north to Deshaies – the place with the best dinghy dock of all, and waited for a weather window to head north.

Carnivale in the Caribbean

2011-03-11T00:25:00.000+02:00

Domincia. On Dominica, Martinique, and Saint Martin, we enjoyed parades full of enthusiasm and warming up to Carnival. These photos are all from Dominica.

Dominica

2011-03-11T00:21:00.000+02:00

One of the least developed of all the Caribbean Islands. In one photo, we are rowing up the river with a local guide.

This is the only island where there are still descendents of the Carib or Kalinago people who originally inhabited the Caribbean Islands, when Columbus “discovered” them. We took a tour and bought some baskets that the Kalinago people make, using the same techniques that their ancestors used in 1492.

We also enjoyed flavored rum – we chose the “Obama Special.”

Like all these islands, there is a fort – a remnant of the dispute between the French and English that persisted for many years. We visited with our new friends Lance and Susie of “Queen Emma,” from Berkeley.

Martinique

2011-01-31T22:40:00.000+02:00

Le Marin, Martinique, after a sail from Bequia past St Vincent and St Lucia. Local boats, les yoles rondes (pronounced similar to “yawl” in English.) had a regatta near the anchorage. These boats have no keel, and a crew of 10 or more men. Three of them use a steering oar about 15 feet long

The rest of the crew coordinate their moves using long wooden poles and remarkable balancing feats to keep the boat sailing through gusts, wind shifts and course changes.

Bequia, St. Vincent & Grenadines. Bing or Google Maps. 13.0186, -61.258

2011-01-26T16:11:00.001+02:00

Colors of the Caribbean everywhere; the houses, the boats and the landscape are brilliant. Vibrant energy.

Bequia still practices whale hunting. Each year, the people of Bequia are allowed to kill up to 4 humpback whales, using a 6-man open whale boat and a traditional harpoon, fastened to a long hemp rope. This photo shows the harpoon, and lance, and some of the rope. There are two whaleboats on the island.

We found a respite from the wind at anchor in Admiralty Bay, on the leeward side of Bequia, where we anchored off gorgeous Princess Margaret beach. Nice swimming and snorkeling off the boat. Bequia island was an exciting daysail to windward, north from Union Island.

Union Island & Tobago Cays. Bing or Google Maps 12.5951, -61.4151

2011-01-26T15:52:00.001+02:00

These islands are part of the country of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, which is a different country from Grenada. Friends joined us for their winter vacation.

Lots of wind, but beautiful snorkeling on the reef at Tobago Cays. Wilhelm anchored at Clifton, Union Island, with piles of discarded conch shells in the surf near the beach.

St, Lucia, West Indies. Bing or Google Maps 13.831, -61.070

2011-01-01T23:35:00.020+02:00

St Lucia is spectacular, as the Deux Pitons rise in the distance on a beautiful clear day.

We celebrated the New Year (2011) at anchor in Rodney Bay, with fireworks exploding over the bow. The fruit seller sells directly to our boat; his own boat decorated in flags of many countries.

These workers are repairing landslide damge from Hurricane Tomas in the Soufriere Botanical Garden.

The Soufriere area was damaged by torrential rains, causing many landslides.

Distinctive local boats in Soufriere.

We particularly enjoyed the Tet Paul Nature Trail, along the ridge between the Deux Pitons. The trail and accompanying organic garden and other exhibits have been developed by citizens of Chateau Belair.

The local marine management agency has installed mooring buoys near the Pitons, very reasonable price.

Carriacou, Grenada, West Indies. Bing or Google Maps 12.456, -61.486

2010-12-25T23:26:00.013+02:00

Wilhelm at anchor in Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou….There are lots of boats in the Caribbean. We spent Christmas in this anchorage. While there, we took an island tour in a bus named “On D Move” and bought fresh bread and fruit from the “Big Mama Market” on the shore by the anchorage. (Carriacou is one of the islands of Grenada.)

Grenada (Bing or Google Maps 12.044, -61.748)

2010-12-20T23:06:00.002+02:00

View of Port Louis marina in St. George’s, Grenada, where we spent some very pleasant days.

Rob learns about cocoa beans, and Natalie feeds a local monkey. (It is still legal to hunt monkeys for food in Grenada, so there are very few of them on the island.) We bought courtesy flags from Jules, a local flagmaker, for some of our Caribbean destinations.

BACK ONBOARD!

2010-12-01T20:16:00.001+02:00

Grenada, Caribbean. We are back onboard Wilhelm. We launched the boat after a week of very hard work cleaning, maintaining, replacing, and repairing various bits. Rob has done a great job maintaining the engine and batteries...and we are almost ready to set sail. Here are some photos of the launch, thanks to Emma on Daydreamer.

Wilhelm being moved from the stacker to the travel lift, then lowered in the water where we climb aboard and prepare to leave the dock and start another year of cruising!

Where Are We Now?

2010-05-11T15:30:00.004+02:00

Wilhelm is now in storage in Grenada, Caribbean, for the 2010 hurricane season. Rob and Natalie will visit family and friends in the USA from May through October, and return to Wilhelm late in the year. Between January 6, and May 1, 2010, we sailed from Cape Town, South Africa, across the South Atlantic to Brazil and up the coast of South America to the Caribbean. More than 5,500 nautical miles of sailing.
Thanks to all friends and family for their love and support. Special thanks to those who have welcomed us into their lives when we drop anchor in diverse ports around the world.

Laarwijk, Suriname

2010-04-25T21:36:00.002+02:00

We took the small ferry across the river, and visited Laarwijk, on the other side. At one time this area was a large sugar plantation. When the plantation ceased operation (and we don’t know exactly when that was), the owners divided the land among the workers. The descendents of the workers live there today. The area is large, divided into orderly rectangles by sand paths and small canals.

We walked about 2 km away from the river without reaching the end, and it apparently extends beyond that, as well as that distance or greater from side to side. There are no cars. All goods are brought by boat. The people walk, ride bicycles, or cruise along on motorbikes. There was virtually no litter. We are told that many areas of Suriname are former plantations that have been divided in this way.

The fish is a Piranha caught in the river where we were anchored. No swimming in Suriname!

Domburg Bottle Project, Suriname

2010-04-25T21:28:00.001+02:00

This morning we had coffee with Sofia and Ed, a Dutch couple who have lived in Suriname for more than three years. They have built a floating island, using great creativity and energy, callling attention to the masses of plastic that are discarded in our oceans.
“The Domburg Bottle Project,” begun in November 2006, used approximately 150,000 discarded plastic bottles, sewn into five large pockets of old fishnet.
The final island is approximately 10 by 7 meters, and 1.5 meters thick. On that, they deposited large amounts of topsoil, and have planted trees, flowers, grass and vegetables. Frequent rain keeps the island green, augmented when necessary by water from the river. They have built an open cabin on the island, where they can host friends or relax. They have electricity supplied by a solar panel and stored in a battery, collect rain for water, and enjoy all the comforts of land life, while their boat is tied to the island as their kitchen, and sleeping quarters. (And the whole thing rocks gently when a ship goes by in the river.)

Photos of the island under construction and showing some of the bottles and fishnet through the greenery.

The island today, floating in the Suriname River. Wilhelm is anchored in the right background.

New England College Town? No, It is Suriname

2010-04-24T21:17:00.003+02:00

Suriname is the place that the Dutch received from the British in exchange for New Amsterdam (New York City), in 1667. This photo shows small part of the capitol city, but most of the country is undeveloped and very different.

All visiting yachts must anchor about 25 miles up the Suriname River, a large muddy river where small ferries take people back and forth. The sign announces national elections on May 25.
Song bird competitions are a favorite sport, and men carry their favorite birds with them. (Better than pit bulls or cock fights, observes Natalie)

Suriname and tolerance

2010-04-23T21:45:00.000+02:00

Suriname's population is a melange of races and religions. It seems to take pride in its ethnic and religious tolerance, indicated here by a mosque and a Jewish temple, located side by side in the capitol city.

Iles du Salut, French Guyana

2010-04-10T20:08:00.000+02:00

We rested for a few nights at the Iles du Salut. These islands were used as a French penal colony for more than 100 years. (Described in the book and movie Papillon.) A depressing place to visit, when one considers its history. The water was muddy and not safe for swimming, but we did enjoy a having a peaceful anchorage to ourselves. While we were there, Rob performed an almost miraculous repair on our dinghy motor, despite rusted and corroded bolts and other parts that have seen a lot of wear over the last eight years.

Crossing the Equator, northbound!

2010-04-09T19:58:00.001+02:00

We crossed the equator heading north, just after midnight on April 9, 2010. Here is a photo of our GPS. We crossed the equator going south almost exactly eight years ago. (April 8, 2002.) It is hard to believe that Wilhelm has been in the Southern Hemisphere for eight years.

Brazil - Recife, Brasilia, Forteleza

2010-04-06T21:33:00.000+02:00

We sailed north along the coast of Brazil, stopping in Recife & Forteleza (both very BIG cities). We were fortunate to have connnections with people in both places who kindly entertained us and showed us their cities.

We left the boat in Recife for a week, and flew to Brasilia for a land trip. Click here to view a web album of our land trip (in higher and cooler areas of Brazil, which was nice) Land trip in Brazil

Look. NO HANDS!

2010-03-15T16:42:00.002+02:00

Our autopilot is fixed.

After some hard work by Rob, and a quick trip to Boston by Natalie to pick up parts, we can take our hands off the wheel again.
We are ready to head offshore - We will sail north and update the blog next time we find the internet.

(Thanks to Nils on Kairos for great photos of Wilhelm underway.)

Taking a local ferry to Valencia

2010-03-15T16:37:00.001+02:00

We left Wilhelm at anchor in Cairu, and took a local ferry up the Rio Una to Valencia, the largest city in the region, where we bought fruit and vegetables at the Saturday market. The bottom photo shows Rob getting back on the ferry with our purchases.

Cairu, Brazil

2010-03-15T16:30:00.001+02:00

Cairu is one of the oldest cities in Brazil. We visited a Franciscan convent (for males), first built in 1500's when the Portuguese sent settlers to this area of Brazil. Thousands of handpainted tiles were shipped from Portugal in the 1700's. Our local guide and companion, Flavio, joined us for lunch and then invited us to his drum practice where we listened to the distinctive rhythms of Brazil.

Sailing in the Archipelago de Tinhare, South of Salvador, Brazil

2010-03-15T16:23:00.000+02:00

One of the first areas of Brazil settled by the Portuguese in the 1500's. Towns are built on islands with few or no cars, narrow streets, and bright colored houses. Boats carry people and supplies from one to another.

Matt & Blair: This is for you!

2010-03-15T16:18:00.001+02:00

Remember that muddy anchorage in the Whitsundays?
NO MORE buckets & scrubbrushes.
Rob installed a high pressure deck washdown pump. Mud washes right off.

Exploring Baia de Todos os Santos - Aratu

2010-02-25T01:38:00.002+02:00

We enjoy the hospitality of the Aratu Yacht Club, north of Salvador, including free WiFi which allows us to sit at anchor and finish a big update to this blog. Hope you enjoy....

Modern Brazil

2010-02-24T11:45:00.004+02:00

It is easy to understand why Brazil has so much potential as a world economic power. Most of our photos show traditional scenes and places, but we see factories like this one around Bahia. This is a cookie factory. On the othe side of the river, 100's of cars have been unloaded from car carriers after being constructed in the southern part of the country. A major petroleum plant occupies another bay - Brazil is energy self sufficient. Our new AIS system picked up 36 ships in the bay - most of them engaged in international commerce. And, while there is poverty, we also meet young people who are teachers, or studying to be dentists, doctors and engineers.

Baia de Todos os Santos - Itaparica & Tororo

2010-02-22T00:33:00.002+02:00

Whoops, I forgot to take photos of Itaparica! We had such a relaxing time that I never took out the camera. It is a nice island with a mineral fountain that has been giving fresh water for at least 300 years. We stayed 3 days. Towns have bright orange tile roofs that look great against the intense green vegetation.

Exploring Baia de Todos os Santos - Maragojipe on the Paraguacu River

2010-02-20T00:36:00.003+02:00

South America has some big rivers! We sailed up the Paraguacu, using only our jib and the tide, and anchored off Marogojipe on Friday night so that we could attend the Saturday morning market.

Mules and horses carry produce to market in big baskets.

We tried some fruits that Natalie had never eaten before (Rob says they are known as "chirimoya" in Chile.)

Boys wait with wheelbarrows to transport purchases through the cobblestone streets.

Exploring Baia de Todos os Santos - Ilha de Bom Jesus

2010-02-18T00:12:00.005+02:00

Anchored at the island Bom Jesus, we watched "saveiros," the traditional wooden sailing boats of this region. They were beautiful to see as they tacked upwind and sailed down with no engines, carrying rocks, sand and gravel to building sites.

We are in Brazil.

2010-02-13T15:49:00.005+02:00

Click here to see Wihelm's Route across the South Atlantic. (Please give the map a few moments to come up on the screen, and the waypoints a few more minutes to show on the map, and zoom in for details of where we are now as well as St Helena, our only stop along the way.)

We are at anchor in Salvador, behind an old Portuguese fort.
We arrived on the first day of Carnaval. The city shuts down and people dance in the streets for 5 days. Here are some examples.

Click the following link to see more Carnaval photos

Do We Look Tired?

2010-02-11T11:57:00.004+02:00

Here we are hand steering for 6 days after our autopilot failed. Rob rigged a seat across the cockpit so we did not have to stand all the time, and we took shifts: 1 1/2 hours steering; 3 hours off for 24 hours a day for six days.

We could see the lights of Salvador from 70 miles at sea the night before we arrived - a very welcome sight. Chuck is steering as we approach Salvador, our first landfall in Brazil, on February 11.

After a little sleep, we celebrated Chuck's 65 birthday on February 12 with some other yachties who had made the crossing from Cape Town a few days before our boat.

Chuck has now flown back to the USA. The two of us (Rob and Natalie) will continue our journey, grateful for Chuck's help across the South Atlantic.

St Helena Island

2010-01-26T18:59:00.002+02:00

St. Helena is reputed to be "the most remote inhabited island in the world."

We've been here a week, and will now sail on to Brazil....St Helena Island rises out of the ocean so abruptly that there is no safe place to land a dinghy. A small open ferry shuttles visitors to shore, where we land at a concrete platform, grabbing a hanging rope for balance and timing our leap to shore as the surge swells up and down, reversing the same on the return trip. The harbor has changed little in 100's of years - a fortified port, protected with thick walls. In more recent years the cannon have been relegated to the scrap heap but the moat, thick walls, and sturdy gates remain in place. (See the long stair case up the hill in back of the anchor - more about that in the following post.)

Climbing Stairs on St Helena Island

2010-01-26T18:53:00.001+02:00

Extending up the steep hillside is a staircase of 699 stairs, once used to haul goods up to a fort - with donkey power...now a long staircase. Here are some photos of Natalie climbing the stairs, and view of the harbor and Wilhelm at anchor in the background.

Napoleon's Years on St Helena Island

2010-01-26T18:49:00.000+02:00

St Helena is perhaps best known because it is the place where Napoleon was exiled and died (1815-1821). We visited the two places where he lived and his wooded grave. (His remains were taken back to France in 1840.)

Touring the Island of St Helena

2010-01-26T18:44:00.002+02:00

We toured the Island with a guide, and Rob and Natalie joined in a walk along a canyon with an island conservation group. Today only 4,000 people live on the island. We are one of two cruising yachts in the harbor (although 2 more arrived today). It is difficult to envision what the island would have been like when 100's of ships stopped for water and supplies as they sailed to and from the far east. (In 1845, 1,500 ships stopped at St. Helena.) Today only one ship calls on any sort of regular schedule - the RMS St Helena, the last remaining royal mail ship in the world. There is no airport on the island...access is only by ship.

Ashore on Saint Helena Island

2010-01-26T18:37:00.001+02:00

The main street has changed little in the past 100 years. We each spent one night in the Consulate Hotel, a colonial hotel on the main street. Chuck had his night onshore, and then we spent our night ashore while he watched the boat. In one of these photos you can see themast that supports the Consulate's dining room. The mast was salvaged from one of hte many wrecks that have taken place in the harbor...many ships have been lost there because of changeable winds and exposed coast (or attacks by enemy ships).

On one night in the 1800's, 16 ships were lost in a single night when the winds changed. We were told that when conditions of wind and sea are optimal, you can snorkel the clear waters and see timbers of hulls extending up from the bottom. The little museum has artifacts from a Dutch wreck in 1613, including china and cloves that have lasted 400 years.

Sailing toward St. Helena

2010-01-11T10:33:00.001+02:00

Our 5th day at sea and we have not sighted another ship during this entire time. At the moment, the sea is calm and the winds are about 13 knots from the SE. We have been flying our new red and white gennaker for 2 days and it is carrying us confidently and comfortably toward our destination. The first two days were rough and stormy; we sailed with two reefs in the main and reduced jib in gale conditions (wearing foul weather gear round the clock). After that, we reached the southeast trade winds and have had comfortable sailing since.
We bought two new sails in Cape Town: a jib and a gennaker. Both replaced sails that had not been properly sized for Wilhelm. She was like a girl with two dresses: one that was too tight (jib) and one that was too loose (gennaker). Now she is the belle of the ball, with two beautiful new sails that fit just right.
Thanks to advances in technology that seem remarkable to those of our age, we can post this entry while we are underway - transmitted through our high frequency (SSB/ham) radio through various connections and posted on the internet.
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radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com/

Update after 1 day at sea

2010-01-07T06:43:00.000+02:00

We spent our first night at anchor at Dassen Island, surrounded by 20 local fishing boats like this one. We could not sail our course toward St. Helena, because the weather window did not open as early as we hoped so we headed north and tucked into this anchorage. Today the winds are better and off we go.

On the way, we sailed by Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 of the 27 years he spent in prison. Please see Invictus. Amazing that he did not become bitter.

1670 nautical miles to St. Helena. (Amazingly, we have internet on this island. From now on, our communications from sea will be text only, no photos.)

We are off to Brazil

2010-01-06T09:39:00.001+02:00

We are leaving Cape Town and heading for St. Helena, and on to Salvador, Brazil. The trip should take about a month. We are lucky to have our friend Chuck as companion and crew.

For those who wonder what we eat, planning for a month at sea takes a lot of organization - here is a photo showing part of the galley (refrigerator and water maker in the background). You can see the typed lists of food on board, listing quantities and notes about where everything is stowed. We check off supplies as we eat them.

Soccer World Cup is coming!

2010-01-06T09:34:00.000+02:00

Soccer World Cup 2010.

All of South Africa is proud that this country will host the 2010 World Cup. Rob stands beside an oversized replica of the official game ball, described "with 11 colors honouring each of South Africans 11 languages, jabulani means celebration. A ball that celebrates a nation united, ready to bring the world together...."
There is an electric boat shaped like a soccer ball, and soccer balls for sale in many of the stores.

Kaapse Klopse (Minstrel's Parade)

2010-01-02T19:07:00.001+02:00

January 2 is the day when minstrel bands parade through the streets of Cape Town. The custom originated 200 years ago when the slaves were allowed their only day off for the year on January 2. 1000's of people, dressed in bright outfits, wind their way through the city playing music and dancing in the streets.

Journey to the Top of Table Mountain

2009-12-29T18:53:00.000+02:00

We took the cable car (one can hike to the top but we didn't go that way...) The cable cars hold 60 people and the floor rotates! We have anchored the boat in one of the Bays you can see from the top.

Benefit Concert at Diemersfontein

2009-12-27T18:42:00.000+02:00

Another special day. We attended a benefit concert at a country winery to benefit July Zuma, a young Zulu who has been accepted at the Liceu Barcelona (Spain). He left for Spain four days after the conert. July was born in a township near Durban, the youngest of 10. His mother and father died when he was a young child; he was raised by his older siblings. In primary school, the choir master noticed that he had a special gift for singing. His life has not had a smooth path, but eventually he found his way to Cape Town, and was given a loan to attend the University of Cape Town and study classical singing. At the concert, he was joined by several friends who gave up trips to their families over the holidays so that they could stay and sing with him, to raise money for his lodging and transportation to Spain. As you can see, most of the audience were white South Africans who are supporting talented young people in the community.

Merry Christmas from Cape Town!

2009-12-25T10:51:00.000+02:00

Merry Christmas and many wishes for Peace on Earth, as we celebrate in Cape Town, with our little plant decorated with small Zulu beaded ornaments.
Natalie, Rob, Chuck

Cape Town, South Africa. December 2009

2009-12-25T10:29:00.000+02:00

South Africa is preparing for the 2010 World Cup. At the top of the page is the new soccer stadium in the foreground below Table Mountain. We ask everyone what they think about the stadium and find a tremendous range of opinion. Some people are proud of their new stadium; others disparage it as a waste of money....We can understand both the enthusiasm and the concern, and we hope the country will find ways to use the stadium after the World Cup is over. On balance, Natalie likes the feeling of excitement about the stadium and thinks it is a positive contribution to the country; Rob is more skeptical.

"Inspired by YOU"

2009-12-25T10:20:00.002+02:00

Nice morning in the supermarket - here is a photo taken before 8:00 am - a rock singer leading the employees in a customer appreciation song. The lyrics are "inspired by you, and you, and you..." (e.g. inspired by the customer) and various verses about the market.
Starts my grocery shopping with a smile...

Update from Cape Town

2009-12-25T10:15:00.002+02:00

Here is the apartment where we are staying while we get the boat in shape to sail....Chuck and Rob are walking down the front steps; we are staying in the top apartment on the left. The other photo shows the view from the front steps. Meanwhile, we are making progress....see this photo of Wilhelm, and compare with the photo taken 10 days ago...sails and lines in place, equipment installed....lots of hard work and good progress.

An Evening Out

2009-12-22T22:27:00.000+02:00

We got a second wind, after naps by all....and joined a friend Nyoko Muvangua (Smith 2004) for dinner at Marco's African Place. Good food; good music. Our spirits are lifted!

Update

2009-12-22T16:33:00.000+02:00

Today when we went to the boat, there was a sea lion onboard! He had scrambled up through the gate on the stern.....Sea lions may be nice in the water, but they are smelly and ornery on land....Chuck and Rob chased him off immediately...The mainsail and staysail are up, and a we have finished a lot of the other work. People think it took a lot of energy to keep up with Nina, but that does not compare to the physical work of getting a cruising boat ready to go to sea. We are all very tired. Thank goodness Chuck is here to help us, so we have some extra help. off to take a nap, more photos and news tomorrow.

Bottom Painted!

2009-12-19T20:05:00.000+02:00

"Nice Clean Bottom." When I have said that during the last six months, I've been talking to granddaughter Nina when changing her diapers....but today I meant Wilhelm's bottom. Rob and Chuck and some local people worked very hard so that the bottom is in great shape. In the bottom photos, we are motoring back to the V&A marina, with the blue draw bridge is raised so we can go through.

Time to Paint the Bottom

2009-12-17T21:27:00.000+02:00

We were supposed to haul out this morning but there was another boat on the ways. Very high winds (93 knots) on Monday night sank 3 boats in a local marina.

Salvagers hauled one boat to patch the hole in the hull, and our bottom job had to wait. We tied at the dock with big swell and quite a bit of wind - and wondered how we have managed to dock this boat alone as we've sailed 2/3 of the way around the world. Chuck was a great help as we rigged lines and worked to keep off the dock. As our boat was slowly pulled out of the water, we saw a little friend watching us - a penguin swam around behind and then walked right out of the water up on the shore to check out our hull! Rob and Chuck are already at work cleaning. The weather forecast looks good, and we should be back in the water by early next week.

Back in Cape Town, South Africa

2009-12-17T18:00:00.001+02:00

Dec 15, 2009 - We arrived back in Cape Town (via airplane). Above is a photo of Rob and our friend Chuck, who will help us on the passage from Africa to Brazil. Wilhelm is very dirty but in good shape. This photo shows the boat closed up - we removed all the sails, halyards and other equipment when we left for 6 months. During the next few weeks, we'll put all the gear back in place and prepare to take off. Cape Town is a busy place - lots of excitement for the upcoming soccer World Cup.

Here is the chaos inside, after we begin putting things back together, and the confusion increases. A lot of gear and equipment to put in place!

Yacht Wilhelm in Cape Town, South Africa for 2009

2009-04-16T21:51:00.000+02:00

We have decided to keep sv Wilhelm in Africa during 2009. We arrived in Mozambique in October 2008, after crossing the Indian Ocean. We sailed along the Mozambique coast to South Africa, and rounded the Cape of Good Hope in the months that followed. We arrived in Cape Town, South Africa on December 31, 2008, and will keep our boat there until January 2010. Here is a link to our sailing route from Australia to Cape Town. http://www.tripmapper.net/wilhelm
We are taking advantage of all the cultural and other activities in Cape Town, as well as the chance to explore other countries in Africa by land. (Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.) We plan to spend June - Dec. in the USA (flying home and leaving sv Wilhelm in Cape Town.) In Dec. 2009, we'll return to Cape Town and sail toward Brazil in early 2010.

Cape Town, South Africa

2009-02-20T14:58:00.000+02:00

Our life in Cape Town. In the morning, we walk along the waterfront to the swimming pool. Because we are over 60, we can swim for free in the 50 meter salt water pool. Behind Natalie, you can see Lion's Head. There is a trail to the top, which we hiked in January. We also watch the progress on the stadium being built for the 2010 World Cup soccer matches.

We have enjoyed lots of plays, movies, museums and concerts in Cape Town.

People's litter hurts animals!

2009-02-19T15:11:00.000+02:00

Yacht Wilhelm is moored in the Victoria and Alfred Marina in Cape Town.* Sea lions come to visit us. We don't like them on our dock because they smell and make lots of noise.... however, they are funny creatures and one can spend a lot of time watching them romp around. It is very upsetting when we see one, like the close up photo, wounded because some human has discarded plastic debris in the ocean. At sea, they twist and turn in plastic fishing lines and other human detritus. Over time, the lines dig into their bodies and cause open festering wounds, aggravated by salt water, flies. We see the wounded ones grow weaker as they rest on the docks. It is a very sad situation that makes us very intolerant of human beings who do not clean up after themselves.

*Named after Queen Victoria's son Alfred, not after her husband Albert...in case someone notices that apparent discrepancy.

The Amazing Weaver Bird

2008-11-30T15:50:00.000+02:00

This is a tree outside the office of the Zululand Yacht Club in Richard's Bay, South Africa. Weaver Birds make their nests in the tree and it was a scene of frantic activity during the entire month we were there....As we understand it, the males build the nests. If the nest is not to the females satisfaction, the female pulls it down and the entire process starts over. From one of the discarded nests, photographed where it fell in the parking lot, you can see the carefully woven strands that seemed impressive to us, even if they did not meet the female's high standards.

Africa has animals!

2008-11-22T15:33:00.000+02:00

So, we went on a trip to a game park and saw lots of animals....and we took these photos. They are not, as has been suggested by our offspring, photos that we downloaded from some website.

We are in South Africa. November 10, 2008

2008-11-13T11:59:00.000+02:00

(Google Earth -28.7931, 32.0832) We have arrived in Richards Bay, South Africa, the most eastern port in the country. We are moored at the Zululand Yacht Club and will be here until at least mid-December. Since April, we have sailed from the east coast of Australia, across the Indian Ocean, and south along part of the African coast, a distance of more than 9,000 nautical miles.

It’s Not All Sunshine.

2008-11-13T11:52:00.001+02:00

Google Earth -25.9614, 32.9129

Triple snub lines on Wilhelm’s anchor chain provide protection in heavy wind and sea conditions off Mozambique, during one of the southwest gales that move quickly across the southern coast of Africa. Rob designed and built Wilhelm’s foredeck mooring bit, which provides safety and security not often found in a sailboat. (Photo taken after weather calmed down enough to go on deck.)

November 4, 2008. WE ARE PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY!!

2008-11-13T11:41:00.001+02:00

What a great election. Thanks to Blair, we traveled with an Obama sticker on our dinghy – people everywhere wanted to talk about him. (BTW, did you know that beaches in Mozambique look like this?)

Africa: A Continent of Contrasts. November 2008

2008-11-13T11:37:00.001+02:00

(Google Earth -21.8521, 35.8521)

The village “store” in Mozambique, where we bought sugar, cornmeal (no flour available), and sweets for the children, contrasts with the beachside resort where we enjoyed lunch in luxurious surroundings. The two are located within a kilometer of each other. Both are Africa.

Mozambique – Ilha de Mocambique October 16 – 21, 2008.

2008-11-13T10:14:00.000+02:00

(Google Earth -15.0301, 40.733)

We are in Africa! What a great spot to arrive – a trading port for over 500 years, a crossroads of Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. The Portuguese enslaved the local people, and then spent over 50 years using forced labor to build an enormous fort that dominates the point where we entered. Dhows (local sailboats) sail the waters. For more photos of our stay in Mozambique, please the slide show at <http://picasaweb.google.com/nataliewestsellin/MozambiqueSlideShow#>

Mayotte: October 6-13, 2008.

2008-11-13T10:09:00.000+02:00

(Google Earth -12.779, 45.265)

Mayotte is a French Overseas Territory near Comoros, off East African coast. Cruising yachts anchor at the yacht harbor in the background, and people take ferries back and forth among the islands in the lagoon. Yarmila & Nadav took us hiking around the caldera of an extinct volcano that overlooks the lagoon. Bright colored dresses in the streets, and French bread and pastry in Africa!!!

Mayotte has Lemurs!

2008-11-13T09:00:00.000+02:00

Most types of lemurs are found in Madagascar, but Mayotte also has its own species of lemur, and has set aside a small island as a lemur sanctuary. We were fortunate to visit during the breeding season in September. Can you find the baby lemur? (Unlike kangaroos and other marsupials, the mother lemur has no pouch…Baby must hold tight or else!.)

Seychelles: Mahe Island (Google Earth -4.6458, 55.4768, Sept 5 - Oct 1, 2008)

2008-10-01T04:48:00.000+02:00

Mahe is the main island. We spent most of our time at the Wharf Marina in top photo, and explored the island by bus. The manager of the marina wanted an Obama for President sticker for his car, and Blair mailed one from the USA. (Thanks, Blair!)
Seychelles is a beautiful country but a troubled little country - it is ironic to be here when the USA is suffering such financial problems because you look at this country and wonder what is ahead for our own - Seychelles had a boom period when it had everything, and gave a lot to its people - health care, education, transportation on lots of buses that cost 25 cents, social security for those who could not work, housing assistance, etc....but it spent beyond its means and borrowed money on the international market to do so...Now those other nations will not extend credit. There are shortages of food and other materials. (See photo of people standing outside the market before it opens in the morning - they will rush to find staples.)

Soaring fuel and commodity prices have worsened the problem, and the country is in trouble. The country generates all its power from diesel powered generators - fueled by imported oil. For the first time in our travels, we could not buy flour. The price of wheat has gone up on the international market, the country has bad credit, and it can't buy flour. We arrived at the same time as IMF advisors who are seeking a way to solve the country's economic problems. Seychelles is also the site of the largest tuna canning factory in the Indian Ocean. (See massive tuna nets drying in the sun, in photo above.) Lehman Brothers owned a stake in the tuna factory! We were here when Lehman went bankrupt, and the congress had a special session to discuss what it all means for Seychelles....the ripple effect of American economic problems felt throughout the world.

Seychelles: La Digue Island (our favorite!)

2008-10-01T04:36:00.000+02:00

La Digue does not allow many cars. People ride bicycles, walk, or ride in ox carts - now mostly for the tourists. Living in an environment without cars is very pleasant.

Seychelles: La Digue (more photos)

2008-10-01T04:30:00.000+02:00

More photos of the no-car life on La Digue. We took a ride in an ox cart. Children ride on special bicycles that have a second seat in front of the normal seat, or in more precarious positions such as standing on the cross bar with an arm around the parent's neck.

Seychelles: Curieuse Island

2008-10-01T04:25:00.001+02:00

A park, Curieuse is a refuge for the Seychelles Giant Land Tortoises. Giant Land Tortoises are found only in Galapagos and Seychelles. The Seychelles Tortoises have adapted to dry climates by being able to sip water through their noses.
Natalie feeds banana to fish that come around the boat while we are at anchor, and Rob feeds a banana peel to a Giant Tortoise.

Seychelles: Praslin Island

2008-10-01T04:20:00.000+02:00

Praslin is home to the Coco de Mer tree - Rob is holding the nut of the female tree, which looks like a woman's buttocks, the fertile part of the male tree looks like (well, see for yourself....photo above) so this tree has had many fans over the centuries. It is found only in Seychelles. This area of the island is a world heritage site. The Coco de Mer nuts are the world's largest nuts.

Maldives

2008-10-01T04:00:00.000+02:00

These photos show a typical street, a shop that sells head coverings for the muslim women, a motorbike (very few cars) in front of a home (all the homes have names - you can see the name plate over the gate), and a traditional boat in the harbor.
For more Maldives photos, see the slide show at http://picasaweb.google.com/nataliewestsellin/MaldivesSlideShowForBlog#

Maldives. Addu Atoll, Gan. August 9 - 24, 2008

2008-07-16T07:00:00.000+02:00

We were anchored at Chagos when we looked at the charts and realized that the Maldives were only a few hundred miles north. How, we said, can we sail across this part of the world without seeing the Maldives? So, we turned north and here we are. Here are photos of the cooperative and friendly customs, immigration and quarantine officials who came to our boat and processed our paperwork, even though it was their weekend. Rob hoists the Maldive courtesy flag under our starboard spreader.

A lovely country with kind people. A poignant moment this morning when I told a shop owner that he has a beautiful country, and he replied "yes, we have a beautiful country but we have no money." That is the problem in so many places that we have visited.

There were four garment factories on this island that sewed items for American stores under some sort of quota program that provided quotas for garments in underdeveloped countries. The law changed in 2004, the U.S. abandoned its quota program, and all four factories shut down. (I will add more info if I have a chance to do more research about this issue.)

Chagos (Google Earth -5.3289, 72.2657 July 30 – August 6, 2008.

2008-07-16T06:40:00.001+02:00

After 13 long days at sea, we finished the passage from Cocos to Chagos. The sixty odd islands in the Chagos Archipelago are situated in the Southern Indian Ocean. These photos show the way we had to anchor, by dropping anchor on a sand bank and backing off into deeper water. Not our most secure anchorage.

Chagos has a “long and tortuous history … riven with conflicting interests.” The islands are currently uninhabited because in the 1960’s Great Britain relocated all the inhabitants so that the US and Britain could establish a military base on Diego Garcia, the main island in the group that lies approximately 170 miles south of the island where we stopped. Diego Garcia is the site of British/U.S. military operations, base for bombing Afghanistan, reputed to be one a site for CIA covert operations, etc. Yachts are prohibited from Diego Garcia and its surrounding waters, but are allowed to enter certain other parts of Chagos after obtaining a permit from BIOT. (British Indian Ocean Territory.) We obtained the requisite permit.
For the last forty years, Chagossians have sought repatriation to their homeland. They have prevailed in the courts. In the words of one justice “The suggestion that a minister can, through the means of an Order in Council, exile a whole population from a British Overseas Territory and claim that he is doing this for the ‘peace, order and good government’ of the Territory is to us, repugnant.” (quoted in paper presented at Cambridge Colloquium on the Royal Prerogative, 19 January 2008. Political context (the Bancoult case) and Possible Solutions. David Snoxell, January 2008 )
To the best of our understanding, the various political forces supporting repatriation changed their minds or deferred action after 9/11. The increased concern with security required the Chagossians to continue their legal challenges. The courts have found in their favour, and it is anticipated that some sort of repatriation will be required within the next few years.

After being there, we are of two minds. On the one hand, we wonder why people would want to live in such a remote spot. On the other, if they want to live there, they should be able to do so...and it is annoying to see yachties hanging out for months at a time, killing the coconut crabs, catching the fish, and eating the hearts of palm that should belong to the traditional inhabitants.

Coconuts float on the ocean, and sprout where they wash ashore. Unfortunately, plastic bottles float on the ocean, wash ashore, and remain forever….even in places as remote as Chagos.

Cocos Keeling Islands, Indian Ocean. (Google Earth -12.0924, 96.8795) July 3 – July 17, 2008

2008-07-15T06:44:00.001+02:00

Cocos Keeling Islands, Indian Ocean. (Google Earth -12.0924, 96.8795) July 3 – July 17, 2008 Cocos consists of a number of small islands or Pulu, situated around a large lagoon, This is a spectacularly beautiful anchorage. Yachts are required to anchor in one area and use their dinghies, a water taxi, or a ferry that runs twice a week to the two villages on larger islands to the south. We have included some photographs of the anchorage and of Rob making a call from the most scenic telephone we have ever seen – a wireless/solar operated phone inside a picnic shelter on the uninhabited island. We used this phone to make several calls that went almost half way around the world to the USA. Amazing technology.

Cocos Keeling - we post our sign

2008-07-14T06:52:00.001+02:00

Visiting yachts have adorned the shelter with mementos of their visits. We posted our sign too.

Cocos Keeling islands are so remote that they did not have an indigenous population, but even remote destinations have colorful histories.

The islands were discovered in 1609, eventually claimed as British by Queen Victoria, administered by Ceylon (Sri Lanka) or Singapore over the years but were almost a private monarchy where a wealthy British family lived and raised copra (coconuts). That family brought in Malay workers whose descendants live here today. Like our last stop, Christmas Island, this stop was administered from Singapore but taken over by Australia in the 1950’s. The Australian government bought out the "ruling" family in 1978. The people here were offered a independence but voted to remain part of Australia. Meanwhile, the copra market has collapsed and there is little economic activity. Residents ride around on Quad bikes, instead of cars, and sail beautiful little wooden sailboats for fun.
This remote little spot was the site of one of the most famous naval battles of WWI - the sinking of the German warship Emden. At that time, all radio communications from Australia to Europe came through the radio station on this little island. The Emden had sent a raiding party ashore to disable the cable relay station. That station was located just in front of the spot where we are anchored. The cable operators were able to send one last cable and the Australian warship Sydney responded. The Sydney ultimately sank the Emden. (We visited North Keeling Island, where the Emden was sunk, now a national park.) Meanwhile, in one of the more amazing war stories, the raiding party that had been left ashore stole the ruling family's personal schooner, escaped the Sydney, and eventually made their way back to Germany.

Christmas Island (Google Earth -10.4276, 105.6688) June 21-29, 2008

2008-06-27T08:18:00.001+02:00

Located in the Indian Ocean about 1500 miles west of Darwin, Christmas Island was part of Singapore until 1958. It is now part of Australia, and it sometimes referred to as “Australia’s Galapagos” – a tiny remote spot with species that are not found anywhere else on earth. Here are some of the land crabs found on the island known as the “Crabbiest Place on Earth.” Google "red crab migration Christmas Island" to find out more. Below is a photo of Rob looking at one of the underpasses for the red crab migration, installed to reduce road mortality.

Christmas Island

2008-06-27T07:02:00.001+02:00

Christmas Island was our first exposure to a Muslim community. The mosque is located near the harbor, and we enjoyed hearing sonorous chants calling the faithful to prayer in early morning and evening, as well as several times during the day. A photo of the mosque is included. We had the privilege of attending some of the festivities of a Malay Muslim wedding taking place on Christmas Island. A young teacher in the school married one of the stevedores. These photos show the bride waiting for the groom; the groom and his entourage walking toward the bride’s home; the grooms representatives bargaining with the bride’s representatives to reach an agreement that would let the groom enter; and the bride and groom receiving martial art demonstrations from their guests.

Christmas Island

2008-06-27T06:00:00.001+02:00

Here are photos of the rugged coast, Wilhelm anchored off the jetty, the local court house and some of the squash (called “pumpkin” in these parts of the world) that we gathered wild and ate for weeks afterwards

Christmas Island - beach cleanup

2008-06-27T05:14:00.001+02:00

We participated in a beach clean up on one of the local beaches, where the prevailing winds and currents wash up enormous amounts of plastic debris. How discouraging to see mounds of plastic debris - flipflops, bottles, toothbrushes, straws, and other bits and pieces, as well as more than one hypodermic needle, washed in by the winds and currents from more populated areas that are hundreds of miles away. Let us all resolve to use less plastic in our lives!!!

Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve (Google Maps -12.2189, 123.0115)

2008-06-26T08:13:00.001+02:00

Ashmore Reef is probably the most deserted spot we will ever visit. The reef is located about 450 miles west of Darwin but only 70 miles from the nearest part of Indonesia. An Australian customs ship is permanently moored in the lagoon, enforcing the restrictions that limit human activity and keep the area pristine. There were six customs officers onboard, plus a civilian crew, spending a three week rotation during which we were the only boat they had seen. Boats are required to pick up moorings instead of anchoring in the coral, and we almost lost Rob overboard as he struggled to get a mooring rope through the rusted iron ring on the mooring buoy. After one night beside the customs ship “Ashmore Guardian,” we moved about two miles into the inner lagoon, and picked up another mooring for the rest of our stay. Snorkeling was great, walks on deserted beaches on West Island were also nice. Lots of sea turtle tracks.

LEAVING AUSTRALIA

2008-06-05T06:45:00.001+02:00

We've sailed a lot of miles since we entered Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, in November 2002.

We'll miss Australia and the Australian people.

Tipperary Marina, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

2008-06-02T06:55:00.000+02:00

Darwin has such huge tides that the marinas are protected by locks. Here is a photo of Wilhelm going through the lock into the Tipperary Bay Marina. (Google Maps -12.4492, 130.8513)

Darwin - Road Trains

2008-05-31T10:17:00.000+02:00

Road Trains are three extra long trailers connected by rigid bars that can be over 150 feet long. (This post is a guy-thing)

Port Essington Anchorage (Victoria)

2008-05-20T10:12:00.000+02:00

Victoria is a failed attempt at a British outpost lasted only 11 years. Even today, the site can only be reached by sea. In 1849, the same year as the California Goldrush, Britain abandoned its efforts to establish a town that it had hoped would rival Singapore. Remains of buildings and a cemetery are interspersed with termite mounds and brush. A youngish crocodile stuck his head out of the water and watched us as we anchored.

Port Essington Anchorage. May 18, 19, 20. (Black Point) (Google maps -11.149, 132.1405)

2008-05-18T09:33:00.000+02:00

Our first anchorage in the Northern Territory. The beach was beautiful – there was a full moon and the sea turtles were coming ashore to lay eggs, and other species were hatching. A large crocodile, nicknamed “Stumpy” because he is missing part of his front foot, glided away as we walked back to our dinghy. Lots of red rock.

Seisia Anchorage. May 11

2008-05-11T10:08:00.001+02:00

Our last stop before we left Queensland and the east side of Australia. Lots and lots of red dust everywhere. 4173, and a monument in the town square to a local person who was killed by a crocodile in the harbor in 1982.
A tire cover that reads “Adventure Before Dementia,” which we think is a good slogan for all those our age. (The phrase rhymes if you say it with an Australian accent.) The first phones in quite a while, and Natalie phoned home on Mother's Day.

Around the Top! May 10

2008-05-10T10:06:00.000+02:00

We motored through the Albany Passage and around the top of Australia – completing our journey from the very south to the very north of the Country. We had nice anchorages in Escape River the night before we sailed around Cape York, and behind Possession Island, on the west side.

Lizard Island Anchorage. May 2-5. (Google maps -14.66, 145.4517)

2008-05-03T09:53:00.000+02:00

Lizard is just as beautiful as we had heard…and there were only two other boats there! We snorkeled and hiked and climbed the hill that Captain Cook used as a lookout to find a way through the Great Barrier Reef.

Cooktown Anchorage. April 30 – May 1. (Google maps -15.461, 145.249)

2008-05-01T09:48:00.001+02:00

This is the site where Captain James Cook repaired his ship Endeavor, after it struck a reef in 1770.
Here is Rob coming in from Wilhelm while our dirty laundry waits on the dock.

Cooktown

2008-04-30T10:03:00.001+02:00

We had a most interesting tour with Willie Gordon, who took us on a walking tour of Guurrbi, providing an insight into some Aboriginal customs, meanings of their paintings, and ways of life.

Low Island Anchorage. April 28 (Google Maps -16.3827, 145.5633)

2008-04-28T09:13:00.000+02:00

A pretty spot, with a nice old lighthouse.

Yorkey's Knob, near Cairns, QLD, AU

2008-04-26T22:30:00.001+02:00

We've spent a few days in a marina near Cairns. The warning sign tells us to beware of saltwater crocodiles, the sign on the tree says "Beware of falling coconuts" - both are hazards from here north.

Rob is standing in front of big tree. See Rob?

Bowen, QLD.

2008-04-26T22:17:00.002+02:00

Bowen. Our first and, Natalie hopes, last experience with pile moorings. The boat is moored fore and aft with lines through fittings on poles. Very hard to get in, and hard to get out.

Watch for this hotel in the upcoming movie "Australia" to be released in the fall of 2008. (Staring Nicole Kidman.) Apparently, there is a cattle drive down the main street in front of this building. Somehow the movie makers avoided showing the phone booth, utility wires and other signs of contemporary life.
Rob is real. Plane is part of a mural on the Bowen library.

LEST WE FORGET

2008-04-26T21:43:00.000+02:00

April 10, 2008. We flew our flag today and
sailed in honor of, and in memory of, Sgt Nicholas Robertson, died April 3, 2008. Killed by a sniper while serving in Afghanistan as cryptologic linquist responsible for detecting and translating foreign communications. Raised in Holden, Maine. Honors graduate of University of Maine Orono, graduate school at Northwestern. Age 27.

We pray for the day when mankind will turn its swords into plowshares.