Andy & Christina’s Big Adventure — Aboard Oceana

“We have packed up our home, packed in our jobs and packed ourselves off in a 38′ yacht to sail over the horizon on our Big Adventure. We hope to see you on the way at somepoint to join in the fun so just remember ‘To do whatever you can get away with!!’.”
We slipped our mooring lines under sail and left the marina without using the engine (2 Brownie points thank you very much) and set course back to Gibraltar. Just as we were setting the genoa a huge squall hit complete with hail stones and lightning. So we shortened sail. Here I managed to collect a smack in the teeth with the winch handle – lose one Brownie point. Just as we got the sails set again a high powered rib came alongside from the Moroccan Customs. We had to haul in the genoa to speak to them in my rudimentary French. They sped off and we got the genoa out again. Just as we got it set another rib pulled alongside this time containing men with machine guns seeming quite eager to come aboard Oceana so we hauled in the genoa yet again to allow them onboard. As they boarded us one of the men got the end of his machine gun caught on my harness so that it was sticking into my chest. Now, I didn’t want to just grab this blokes gun so I gently pushed it to one side smiling nicely as I did so. Two men went down below to conduct a search of the boat, one of them being Machine Gun Man. Somehow, whilst Machine Gun Man was searching the boat he managed to get Christina’s skirt caught up in the strap of his machine gun – Luckily it was a skirt that had been hung up to dry, not one that Christina was wearing! But there he was, searching the boat with Christina’s skirt hanging from the strap on his back. Christina couldn’t communicate with him knowing no French and the best I could muster was “It’s behind you Monsieur” which set up a scene that could only have come from a pantomime apart from the machine gun was real! Well luckily he saw the funny side and they left us after a few minutes all parties in good spirits (apart from as they sped off they scratched Oceana’s hull with their nasty speed boat).

from http://oceana.blogspot.com/

Only in California

God, I’m so glad I’m not moving back there.

Beautiful Ass Sailing Pictures

From http://voile.blogspot.com/

This guy takes kick ass sailing pictures!

Delivering a 43 feet from france to west indees [sic]

Peeps

What a cute little boat! Peeps are only 14 feet long, but are a real cabin cruiser.

Peep for Sale

The Peep Hen is never going to be accused of being pretty, but functional she is!. Her lines are the result of packing a lot of full sized features into a micro sized vessel. In spite of her small size, the Peep is a true cruising boat with many of the features you would find on a 18′ or 19′ boat. In the cabin there is more than 4′ of headroom, two berths each over 6′, a galley area and a place for a porta-pottie. With her tabernacle mast system and simple gaff rig, the Peep can be rigged and in the water in about 10 minutes without the usual huffing, puffing and back ache. The cockpit has ample room for four large adults and can be fitted with a Bimini top to protect even the fairest from the sun. There is an anchor locker, motor mount and swim ladder all standard. Additionally with her boom gallows you never have to worry about getting hit in the head by the boom. All this in only 14’2″!

Peep on the Street (Flooded Street)

Che Cosa E Questo? Zat’s Amore!

Thank you to justjessica for prompting my curiosity.

‘Fumes

So I had time today to buy a new winter coat to replace the one which has a hole in its pocket. . . the same pocket I keep forgetting has a hole, and so I keep having to pick my keys up after I step out of the house.

While I was there, I sampled some Chanel Cristalle. Lord knows WHY I sprayed that shit on my arm. My roomie used to use that stuff, and it gave me a headache. Then, to balance it off, I sprayed Chanel Allure on my other arm. Woo-ee! The combination of the two could have been used successfully in WW I, before they made use of gas masks.

So I come home, smelling like I’d hit a skunk on the way home. I cheerfully wave both arms around the kitchen and say, “Hey, honey! Wanna smell these perfumes?” On the other side of the house he goes, “I don’t have to! I can taste it!”

So, I happily scrub off the offensive shit. And we go out for some su shi. Across from our favorite sushi place is a brand new Dunkin’ Donuts and the smell of doughy, sugary goodness is all over the parking lot, even though the Dunkin’ Donuts is at least 100 feet away.

Matt says, “If you can bottle this smell, I would buy it.”

Allure by Chanel
Combine with Chanel Cristalle for some powerful ‘fumes that could keep Canadian geese off your lawn

Strictly Sail Chicago Strictly Sail Chicago is the largest indoor all-sail boat show in the U.S. Attracting sailors from more than 20 states, Strictly Sail is the Midwest’s sailor’s rendezvous for sailing. Now in its 9th year at Navy Pier, a popular downtown waterfront location, Strictly Sail Chicago is the ideal place for sailors to get ready for the sailing season. Sailors of all ages and sailing ability will gather together to kick start another year of great sailing by checking out the largest selection of new sailboats, sailing equipment and services. Over 250 exhibitors will display the latest designs, the newest models, and the most high tech equipment available, all at one of the most perfect places to sail in the country. Also, don’t forget about the wide variety of seminars and attractions, offered FREE with the price admission, giving sailors the most up-to-date information about their favorite past time.

I am totally psyched about going boat-shopping with Matt. This year I might actually get to go inside of ALL of them, instead of spending 80% of my time haggling with Vanguard over Club 420 prices, while the rest of the club is remote-control boat sailing.

I’d rather be haggling over my own boat purchase!

Oracle

	Oracle from http://www.sailinglinks.com/oracle.htm

Now that is one *bleep* *bleep* spinnaker!