18:12N 49:47W

Hope you all enjoy Marc's ode to Phoebe: It had us all in stiches!!!!!!!!

ODE TO PHOEBE [for reading at the 3/4 point, to be completed later]

[1]
Many times when we were young
we heard tales of sailors bold.
Adventurers, pirates, refugees...
my grandparents, I'm told.

They boarded ships of every shape,
Set forth from each and every cape.

For they were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[2]
When I grew up, I crossed right back,
fulfilled some travelling dreams.
A "one year" trip to foreign shores
now 30 years in Milton Keynes.

I learned to handle dinghies, knots,
And fell in love with sailing yachts.

I saw them crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[3]
I discovered Greek flotillas,
and gave chartering a try.
Signed up with SailIonian
after Boat Show drinks with Di.

A Mile-Builder pressie from my wife,
More drinks with Di, signed-away my life

To go crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[4]
I flew into Las Palmas,
headed for Pontoon R.
Matt introduced me to Phoebe B,
then straight off to the bar.

I met Dan, Barry, Tom and Rory.
Heard many a raucous travelling story.

Ready for crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[5]
A week of seminars ensued,
checking gear, big provisions.
"You can never have too much water," said Matt
on his mega-shopping missions.

We filled Phoebe from bow to stern.
Hidden compartments, I did learn.

Ready for crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[6]
We heard rescues and weather from Christopher Tibbs,
And rig checks from Jerry The Rigger.
"Be vigilant with chafes and cracks.
Trust me -- they're gonna get bigger."

He said "Guard rail fails: lose a man at sea!
Then you'll be lighter: doesn't matter to me!

You'll be crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic."


[7]
A marching band and lots of flags
parading proudly: thirty nations.
While pontoons buzzed with crew and skippers
deep in their deliberations.

We Barbecued on Tranquillizer.
Kate prep'd meat and appetizer.

We'll be crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[8]
Graveyard humour filled the air
as crews attended parties.
Fancy dress and disco beat,
"Let's rock n roll, me hearties!"

"See you on the other side!"
"Hope you guys enjoy the ride...

When you're crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic."


[9]
By now the full crew had arrived:
Matt-Dan-Barry-Dave-Tom-Paul-Marc-Ruth.
A finer mix of talents and styles
I'd never seen -- and that's the truth.

I knew we'd blend together fast,
Like some Hollywood B-Movie cast.

We'd be crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[10]
Starting gun Sunday -- 1 PM.
We cast off, Matt was steering.
We motored out with all the rest,
crowds waving, yelling, cheering.

David as Jester, Marc with guitar,
Katie waving from afar.

We were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.

[11]
Spinnakers flying, hundres of yachts
the setting, it was glorious.
"Acceleration zone?" No probs...
We'd heard it was notorious!

We steamed out to beat the pack.
Clearly we were well on track.

For crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[12]
We chalked up some early miles.
The fleet was getting sparse.
"Hey, you!" said skpper, "Mother watch."
"No time to rest upon your ..... er... laurels."

Marc did the first coffee round,
Seasickness promptly struck him down.

And we were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[13]
"Jacket and harness at night," said Matt,
"Nobody gets a dunking."
"Three on watch, three off, one Mother.
It's all about hot-bunking."

Everyone's got to play a role.
Matt taught us how to gybe the pole.

And we were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[14]
Gybe preventer for the main,
Genoa well-poled out.
We caught the Trades with near-term weather
forecast not in doubt.

"Sailing's the easy bit," said Matt
"But chafe and wear could knock us flat.

Now that we're crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic."



[15]
Steady winds stress shackles,
sheets, sails, blocks, downhauls, shrouds.
"This ain't your coastal day trip."
Days passed with zero clouds.

We flipped the pole, reinforced the clew.
Plenty of safety checks to do.

As we were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[16]
They say the darkest hour
is just before the dawn.
But night watch on Phoebe taught me
What planet was that IDIOT on?

Night before dawn is stunning.
At 8 knots we were running.

We were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[17]
Barry and Tom set out their lures
With tactics and bravado.
1000 Euros worth of gear,
Yet a mere spool caught that Dorado.

It's weight was an impressive sum.
Matt drowned it in Havana rum.

As we were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[18]
Our genoa clew was showing signs
of early wear and tear.
Prudence called for backup:
Tranquillizer had a spare.

We rendezvous'd at early light.
Tossed ropes and hauled with all our might.

For we were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[19]
We ate like kings as fine aromas
from the galley they exuded.
Chef outdoing previous chef
(your narrator excluded).

Potatoes, pasta, curry, rice.
Fresh veg, fresh meat: mighty nice.

We were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[20]
We saw a pod of Dolphin
and a pair of Minke Whales.
The swells grew large, the wind it veered,
and tried to flog our sails.

We gybed to keep on course so true,
And broad-reached when we needed to.

For we were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[21]
Hours begat days, days begat nights.
We clocked up hundres of miles.
We hit the halfway mark at last:
Champagne and lots of smiles.

"Phoebe's Blues" was but a hint
Of friendships on this lenghty stint.

While we were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[22]
Two life jackets self-inflated
through a sequence of bad luck.
And when the heads did self-lock,
Matt said, "What STUPID FU...mbling person did that?"

The guys then did what they could do,
So we could once more slash and spew.

As we were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[23]
A sombre chord did fill the air
as Rory's voice relayed.
His shipmate Neil was poorly
and in need of doctor's aid.

Cargo-ship pickup in lessened swell.
To Neil: GodSpeed, and please be well!

We're all crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.


[24]
At 4 AM on moonlit watch
a squall did loom behind.
Matt raced on deck, we tugged at sheets.
Matt wondered, "Are you blind?"

"With squall behind and darkened skies
Forget the radar: use your eyes!"

And we were crossing, crossing, crossing the Atlantic.

[verses 1-24 represent dates up to 5th Dec 2009: to be continued...]