OK, so as you will see from our position that we have finally escaped Bermuda although Ceilidh did have one last go at trying to hold us there, more on that in a minute.

 

The day started at 0600 with “Call Hands”, showers, last for a while and breakfast.  We then headed for the fuel jetty only to find someone had moored there over night and gone for breakfast, we spent close to an hour going round and round waiting for them to be found and moved.  Once we had filled our tank and cans as well as picked up a Propane Gas Cylinder (you can not get Butane in Bermuda!!  Pilot guide needs an update as the one outfit that imported it went out of business 18 months ago!) we headed for the town quay and Customs to clear, after waiting our turn there we finally headed out just before lunch.

 

After motor sailing out the Town Cut and past the Fairway Buoy we turned in to a sail boat with two reefs and  about 60% head sail and were off at 7 – 8 knots with 20+ knots of wind just forward of the beam.  It was at this point that Ceilidh made her bid to stay by dropping the anchor in 30m of water!  We have had to stow the large propane cylinder in the anchor locker and wedge it with the dinghy.  It appears that when this was done the chain which had to be moved for access was probably not put back in the windlass.  But there was a sail tie holding the anchor that has been in place since Grenada, secured to the bow roller pin holes.  We can only think that it had chaffed through at some point!  Either way we found ourselves dragging the anchor at 7+ knots under sail!!  Prompt action by Sam (Mate) to cut it away probably saved us from serious damage.  As it is we have got away with a broken roller and pin in the bow roller assembly, but unfortunately lost the anchor and chain as well

 

So while despite the slightly later escape from St George than aimed for what looked like it would be a good first day has not been so good.  Please let this be the last hitch! 

 

Roy has been slightly seasick but is working through it and looks like he will have his sea legs by morning.

 

We are now in to night watch routine with 25 knots of wind, 3 reef’s in the main and reduced jib but still doing 7.5 knots SOG, we have covered close to 60 NM in 8 hours so on for a good 24 hour total.  We will see what we have clocked up by this time tomorrow.

 

While we are all pleased to have finally got away from Bermuda we would still like to say thanks for all the help and guidance form our friends at St Georges Dinghy Club (look up a Bermuda fitted dinghy on the internet!!). “Dark & Stormy’s” will be remembered.  Also and Sandra at the Super Yacht Terminal, just the use of her wi-fi was worth its weight in gold.

 

On a very sober note we were handed a copy of a fax/notice ref 3 missing boats just before we left.  It would appear that two yachts (mid 30’s) and a 75’ motorsailor are all reported missing in an area 500NM WSW Azores from the storm in the last few days of April.  There are a total of 9 crew missing.  This is just about where we would have been if we had not had the delays!  Apparently one EPIRB was activated and transmitted for over 48 hours but nothing was found.  So the delays may well have saved our lives!