32:22.8N 64:40.6W

Knightime
Fri 14 May 2010 03:49

BVI Tortola to Bermuda 13th May 2010 Day 7   

We are happy to inform you that we have arrived in Bermuda at around 10.00 local time, which is 4 hours behind BST and 1 hour ahead of NY summer time.

We motored slowly overnight in order to arrive here in daylight. In the early evening, winds were too light to sail but, as you might expect, they picked up briskly to 15-20 knots for the final part of the trip, and the wind has maintained itself in a lively fashion for the rest of the day, making it feel distinctly cool out of the sun.

It was eerie watching Beer blend into the background from time to time, in his Brookes Bros lemon knitted number, as we passed matching lemon painted houses, whilst motoring around looking for our mooring. However, we finally took a berth alongside another Beneteau yacht, with quite a friendly Canadian crew, immediately opposite a famous pub/restaurant called ‘The White Horse’. Lunch was duly taken in said establishment and it was a very pleasant visit.

On the way in, we had the misfortune to lose a fender but it was noticed quickly and skilfully retrieved using all our Man Overboard techniques. Knot practise is at 06.00 hrs tomorrow. However, the highlight of our mishaps, was when we wrongly identified ourselves by radio to the ‘Authorities’, as Yacht KNIGHTRIDER !!  Quite an easy mistake to make, considering we have spent the whole trip calling ourselves: The Knightriders. A puzzled call back from the Coast Guard quickly rectified the mistake and we entered the bay as legal traffic.

Our new crew member for the next leg, Charlotte, visited the yacht this afternoon and, happily, did not appear too daunted by the quippy crew she will sail with.  The next stage is planning the food purchasing for the next leg to The Azores, and, in order to take the freshest food possible, we will be doing that on Saturday in anticipation of a Sunday departure. Charlotte knows of a fresh produce market which trades on a Saturday in Hamilton, so, with her help, we will be there early to pick the best veggies and fruit.

Now we are waiting for our final crew member, Quentin, who should arrive on Friday Knight (pun intended), Volcanic ash clouds and  BA cabin crew permitting.

After the routine of watch-keeping for the last week, it seems strange but pleasant to have no specific duties for a while, although laundry is also a must for Friday.

So, from a quiet, happy yacht, snugly tied up in St George’s, Bermuda, we again wish you  goodnight until the next blog.

 The New Knightriders, The Hoff, Michael, Thomas, Martin and Mogul++

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