Audaciter - Blessing for Voyage

Gordon's yachtmaster companion Gareth has finally begun his ocean odyssey ~ Audaciter slipped her moorings early this morning.

Audaciter had been 'up the valley' in Mylor for the last week alongside 'Salmo Salar' the wooden prototype to my father's Moody 40 Delfin Salar . You can just see Salmo at the edge of the photo. It is curious how weavings of history seem to happen - this sailing history which is a strong part of our family DNA.

Audaciter's rudder was being renewed. The tradewind 39, also, has a new mast, rigging and sails after dismasting at the beginning of her trip last year. She has been delayed by 12 months.


But this has given us an opportunity to become acquainted with her and to get to know her new owners and crew - Gareth, Phil and Dicken.

While awaiting launching it was possible to pray blessings for her and her crew - for a safe voyage and pilgrimage. May the Lord bless them all ~

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
Deep peace of Christ
The light of the world to you
Deep peace of Christ to you.

We will be following her blog with interest.

St Arvans

This morning's Radio 4 Service came from St Arvans - just listening to the worship transported me back. The music was always good in that place. We lived there for about 10 years - they were very happy ones. The village was a friendly safe place, and we were sad to move on, and have often wondered what life would have been like had we remained there.

This parish church is where each of our sons were baptised - this morning was a delight, especially thankful for all those memories.

Advent is gently progressing, and am enjoying the preparations ...

As we will be away for a while, I'd like to leave you with the Advent Blessing, which I love:

Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you,
scatter the darkness from before your path,
and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory;
and the Blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with you
and all those you love and pray for
this day and always.

Will be logging off now as will be offline until Epiphany.
In the meantime - Have a peaceful and joy-filled Christmas ...

This Made My Day

My Granny gave me a manicure set when I was sent away to Boarding School and I have treasured it ever since. It encouraged me to take care of my nails and hands. Some of you may know that my husband tells me, frequently, that he loves my hands and feet, and is convinced I should have been a hand and foot model. It's a bit late for that now!

I've been following a manicure set on ebay which included a pretty nail buffer (which was not part of the original set) and am happy to say that I was successful in the bidding. What was quite unexpected was the communication that ensued at time of payment. An easy email conversation arose as a result and I sent the sellers a link to this blog. They, confessing never having read a blog but enjoying their visit, agreed that if they couldn't trust a vicar, then who could you trust? The items went in the post before the payment was received.

We live in a time when trust has been frequently superseded by fear and suspicion, and, sadly, this state of affairs subtracts from our com-union one with another.

This truly unexpected episode has but a spring in my step. Many thanks!

With the Queen in Bermuda

The Queen is in Bermuda for a short visit to celebrate the Islands 400 yrs. Ivor will be arriving there later today to spend Thanksgiving with his Godmother Susie, and her family.

When I was there in '76 the Queen came to visit and travelled on Britannia, here docked in Hamilton. Now there is no Britannia, which had been our floating Embassy. This time she has arrived by air and stepped onto the 'Pink' carpet rather than red. (Pink to represent the coral beaches.) She was met by the Governor and Premier.

Ivor is expecting the red carpet, and is looking forward to special relaxing time with his Bermuda family. He has been hard at work, in school at IYRS, restoring a Chris-Craft. His particular red carpet treatment, I am reliably informed, will include beer and chat!

Photos are from family archives I took in 1976, Susie is sitting on her aunt's knee.

Held in prayer

Today my dear cousin is undergoing surgery for cancer.

Holding her and those who minister to her before God. Holding, too, her husband, all her family and all friends near or far who await news.

Delfin Salar

Inspiration of Boss is in East Cowes tonight. I think they left St Helier and moved to St Peter's Port before making the dash across the Channel.

One boat from my childhood was Delfin Salar, a Moody. The name Delfin was chosen because of the gracious way dophins glide through the water. As boats' names are registered it's important not to have duplicates. Dolphin was already used, and so the Spanish name was chosen. We had stayed in Delfin Playa Hotel in Majorca in the early 60's.

Delfin was the first Salar made of fibreglass and was in the Boat Show, at Earls Court in the 1966. One of her visitors to that show was Princess Margaret. Leaving her mark on the companionway with her stiletto. All who go on board know the importance of correct footwear. Perhaps that wasn't a priority then. I would love to know where Delfin is now.

First Encounter

I have been asked by the son at sea to record some of our nautical history.

One of my earliest sailing memories is of Acorn, here on the mud in Woolverstone. There was also a workboat called Pip, but I have yet to find any photos of her. Dad owned the boatyard and park at Woolverstone. As a tiny child Acorn seemed big, but she was dwarfed by all the barges on the river.

There was an old chap, who lived on one of the boats that was laid up in the yard, who was of great interest to little people. I think he gave us a drink and cake. Along with my sister and friends Dena, Dawn and Darrel we would visit him. Remarkably his companions were budgies!

Just found this ancient chart. I'll post some more images as I find them.

Just love the sea.
It is in the DNA.
One son doing his Yachtmaster, the second is crew on Fair Do's VII, a Far 46 racing yacht, which was in the British Team that won the Commodores' Cup last year, and the third is at IYRS Newport RI.

http://www.iwight.com/home/news/2008/june/commodores_cup/default.asp
http://www.fairdoscharters.co.uk/
http://www.iyrs.org/

Yachtmaster in Progress

Another attempt has been made today to make a bolt for Alderney. Not sure of the timings, but this time Inspiration of Boss cleared the Needles, and was about 3 hours out. It was now blowing 8-9 and gusting 45 knots. In the conditions a decision to heave to was taken and at this point the grabrail on the coach roof was under water.

Rather than plough on when some were unwell in difficult conditions they returned to safety in Swanage, and tonight they are in Poole.

Swanage has a place in our family history. During the war my mother, Norma, went there with some of her family. While on the playing on the beach they saw a Luftwaffe plane coming towards them. They huddled under the sea wall, and Mum's brother Rodney, aged about 10, lent over the females to protect them. Later they returned to the haberdashers shop for more provisions, and found it had received a direct hit.