MOTO Gazette Sepember 18 2012

Tenacity47
Wed 19 Sep 2012 16:48

MOTO GAZETTE

Middle of the Ocean News

Eastern Atlantic Edition

September 15, 2012

 

Working Class Americans Spotted On Spanish Holiday Beach

Contrary to popular belief, not all Americans have deep pockets and huge holiday spending habits.

 At least two Americans , spotted recently on the island of Graciosa, a popular beach holiday island for Spaniards and Northern Europeans, are proof that there are still some Americans who pinch pennies and stick to a budget.   Robert and Cindy Holden, who sailed aboard their Yacht from Annapolis Maryland to Portugal last year are living proof of this. “People here see our flag and assume immediately we are loaded” says Ms. Holden. “This boat is also our home, and our only home. Back in the U.S., when people hear we live on a boat, they think trailer trash. Here, they think big money. Funny how that works.” 

The Holdens have been saving for 20 years to do what they call “Robert and Cindy’s Most Excellent Adventure”, their primary goal having been crossing a major Ocean on their own boat.  Their route has been the Atlantic Circle Route.  They intend to return to Annapolis and go back to work.  Their intent was to do this dream trip while they are still young enough to handle all the sailing needs and really enjoy the adventure.

But they still find themselves explaining that they are not made out of cash.  “One guy, a delivery captain, when I told him we need crew because we don’t have a decent auto pilot, said ‘Why don’t you just buy one?’”  says Ms. Holden.  “ I looked right back at him and said ‘Because we can’t afford it’.  Then he looked at me like I had four heads.  I could have said “We don’t have a personal Gulf Stream Jet’, to which he would have said “Why don’t you just buy one?’”

Still, these two Americans are experiencing what many would only dream of. And living on a budget in some ways has been a blessing.  “We get to know all the cashiers in the local grocery stores because we don’t eat out. And some of these folks have become friends!” Says Mr. Holden.   “Also we take buses instead of rental cars to get around and we get to see much more without the worry of driving!”

 

 

Distracted Drivers Deal with Rambling Riders

 The Portuguese island of Madeira is not only known for its wine, levadas and flowers, but also its steep roads and scenic bus routes. But these bus routes are carefully navigated by skilled drivers who are becoming increasingly worried about the growing population of little old ladies, who ride these buses, usually sitting in the front, and talking incessantly to the drivers.  Trying not to be rude, the drivers have been putting up with all this jabbering, but lately there have too many near accidents to ignore the issue any longer.  “The problem is the young people are leaving the island” says Funchal driver Manuel Silva, “These old ladies have no other way to get around.  Their kids have gone to the mainland to find work,  so they aren’t around to drive their mothers.  And these ladies are getting too old to hike up and down the steep hills.”  So they take to riding around on buses for not only transportation, but for entertainment, or perhaps fulfillment. Telling the driver how to live his life helps them deal with not having their kids around.

The solution?  No real answer yet, but the drivers have been trying out a few options. Mr. Silva had been wearing ear bugs and listening to Fado music to block out the ladies.  Henrique Fernandez , a driver in from Porto Moniz, has posted a sign “Silencioso, Por Favor”,  but with illiteracy still high, this has not been a successful fix.

 

New Arrivals from Tenacity Sea Products

The makers of EverDamp, InstaWet amd AllSalt, have developed more products to make your life at home like life at sea.  New this fall is RopeSkweek, A CD of the sounds of squeaking lines that is surely to lull even the most insomniac to sleep.  The first in a new line of audio products.

 Also not to be missed is EverGlow, a soft red light similar to the one in the compass, that installed near a bed will also ensure a good night’s sleep, especially if stared at for as little as 20 minutes. 

EverDamp, which already comes in 6 fantastic aroma, will have 2 more exciting aromas that surely will turn your land home into a home at sea, Unpumped Head and Dirty Shower Drain!

Police Beat

Nine sailors arrested this past month for failing to obeying the new law that has made sailing upwind illegal and subject to fines.  Marcel Wayson, of Whales, claims he was just trying to get home when Sea Police stopped him, 243 miles north of Madeira heading for mainland Europe, in a solid 20 knot breeze blowing out of the North East.. Paul Lippincott, of Ireland , also claims he was just trying to get home, after being caught sailing on a beat tack from San Miguel in the Azores towards England in 15 – 20 knots of wind out of the North East.  The seven other sailors were let go because they were part of a race from the Canary Islands to Madeira and therefore exempt from this law.