But in all seriousness, I am thankful for Simon and Nigel offering me a crew position and sorry I couldn't be here earlier to help out some more. I am getting to know the rest of the crew and learn more about life aboard Cassini. Thus far the crew and Cassini have been wonderful in welcoming this latecomer aboard. Within an hour of my arrival, we were headed to the Royal Navy Tot Club for some rum and Royal Navy history. A perfect introduction as far as I'm concerned.

We have spent the morning today giving Cassini a good tummy rub in hopes she will treat us kindly across the Atlantic. Simon says we might gain a bit more speed with a clean hull, but it was pretty clean already, so I think it's just to put Cassini in a good mood. Afterwards, we got the Hydrovane rudder sorted and got a few other things stowed away.

This evening we went to Shirley Heights and enjoyed some wonderful atmosphere. Shirley Heights has a beautiful view of Falmouth and English Harbor, and we could even see Guadalupe in the distance. We and a few hundred others enjoyed a delicious meal, drinks, and a steel drum band. There was a cute stray cat that Romain and I tried to talk Nigel into bringing aboard as the ship's cat, but we couldn't quite convince Nigel or the cat that it was a good idea.

After the evening at Shirley Heights, we headed back to Cassini to wind down and discuss our plans for the last day of preparation before we start the passage. Getting the repaired staysail, topping off gas cylinders and water tanks, meal preps, and beginning the bureaucratic tango with customs is on the docket for tomorrow. Wish us luck!

Coleman