“32:23N 064:40”

Friday 10^th May

By 08.40 we were 25 miles from Bermuda and checked in with Bermuda Radio who controls all marine traffic entering and leaving Bermuda.  By 10.30 we could turn the engine off and we had a very enjoyable sail towards Bermuda as we were not quite so close to the wind.

We arrived at the ARC finish line at 13.20 and were directed by Radio Bermuda to go straight to the Customs and Immigration dock in St George’s bay. Checking in was quite a quick process as we had already completed all the paperwork before arrival.

The ARC rally is being hosted in Bermuda by the St George’s Dinghy and Sports Club.  They have a few spaces in their small marina and all the boats that arrived first have got in there.  We could go on the town dock but we would have to raft up there so we have opted to anchor in the very large bay.

We were hoping for some rest but we’re back on shore in the sailing club at 6 pm for welcome drinks and a pirate party.  We had left our pirate stuff in the loft at home so we improvised a bit by the clever use, by Dick, of an old cereal box, out of which he made eye patches and a couple of pirate hats – very impressive.

We are here a few days, there is a dinner and prize giving on Sunday, and we can refuel tomorrow, so we will have plenty of time for sightseeing.