Hi, I'm Kier, son of Stephen and Gwendolyn Knudsen the proprietors of The Dark Tickle Company. My wife Anastasia and I have been living in Portland Oregon for the past six years. She as a cardiac nurse, and me as an Aerospace Engineer. We both share strong ties to home so presented with an opportunity to work in the family business, we sold our house, packed up our things, and U-Hauled it back to Newfoundland. After stuffing our worldly belongings in the old family store and spending Christmas with family, we headed off to Riviera Beach, Florida. There we met our 36 foot ketch 'Bedlamer' (formerly 'Gala II') which we shipped from Olympia, Washington. Our intent is to sail her home and arrive in our hometown sometime in September. 3700 nautical miles. This is our story....

March 11th, 2007

Sorry we've been a bit dilinquent in getting this going but here we go. With all the work on the boat we're finally getting the chance. Anyhoo, we had Bedlamer shipped from Olympia, Washington to Riviera Beach, Florida and with the exception of a few days delay due to the ice storms in the Mid-West the boat arrived unscathed. We then spent four weeks to the day in the Cracker Boy Boat Works repainting our stripes, bottom, installing a radar, autopilot, wind instruments, spreader lights, buffed the hull, did some engine work, and replaced all the standing rigging and most of the running rigging. For the first 10 days we stayed at a friend's condo (thank you very much Dianne and Marshall, that was awesome!!), the rest on the boat in the yard. I can't say enough about Cracker Boy and the people in it. Everybody is super friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand or advice. They are on the Christmas card list for sure. During our time on the hard we met Hayden from Arizona and spent much time helping each other on our various boat fiascos.

Arrival On Truck	Preparing Stripes	Preparing Rigging	Rigging The Boat	Rigging The Boat
Al Rosensweig	Stripes Almost Done	Preparing To Launch	Preparing To Launch	In The Slings!

After launching and a few days at Peanut Island waiting for the right winds, we did our shakedown cruise to Fort Lauderdale. Other then our macerator pump jamming all went well. We tied up in the Las Olas area of Lauderdale which was pretty cool, lots of bars and nightlife. A few days later we headed south to Miami and it is here some trouble began. We were motoring about two miles offshore. Upon inspecting the bilge I noticed the stuffing box leaking a little more than it should so I adjusted while Stacey put the boat in and out of gear. Suddenly, the shaft stops moving! So, TowBoat US it was and after a $350 bill we sat again in Las Olas with beer in hand licking our wounds. Roy, a mechanic we had met while in the boatyard was kind enough to drive down and diagnose our problem. It turned out to be a stripped dampener plate. By the end of the day we were mobile again. After a day or two waiting for the right wind we headed south for Miami. This time in the accompaniment of Ernie and Dianna on their boat "Acappella." Ernie is originally from Main Brook, Newfoundland and Dianna from Welland, Ontario. As the wind wasn't the strongest we motorsailed most of the way. Here comes crisis number two, disconcerting gear lashing sounds out of our V-drive...lovely. Sooo, into a marina in Miami and down comes Roy once again. While waiting to get it rebuilt, we spent four days in the Sea Isle Marina (vastly overpriced and not the best of marinas). After getting straightened here we were back at anchor just inside of South Beach where Ernie and Dianna were. Have spent about four days here so far puttering around the boat with the occasional shore excursion to South Beach (pretty fun place if you've never been). Currently awaiting Hayden and Stephanie (Hayden's wife who has recently arrived) to show up and plan to cross to the Bahamas this week if the weather cooporates. All for now!

Peanut Island	Peanut Island	Manatees at Peanut Island	Ft Lauderdale	Stace and Celis on Plan B
Our Messy Boat	Towed Back To Fort Lauderdale	Telling somebody we're being towed	Acappella Entering Miami Harbour	Miami
Miami Sky	South Beach	Ernie And I On South Beach	Dianna And Stacey On South Beach	Leaving Miami

April 21st, 2007

Well alot has transpired since that first entry. We spent a week or so in No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne waiting for proper Bahamas crossing weather. As our patience began to wear thin, we headed into the Hawk Channel and on to Rodriguez Key. With NOAA forecasting another week of easterly wind we decided to continue further south to Marathon in the Keys. The wind was thirty knots most of the way. We ended up tearing a sail but it was a nice sleighride and alot of fun. As Murphy's law reigns supreme, the weather window opened the next day for the Bahamas crossing! Oh well, we got to see our good friends on Acappella as well as a meeting few of their friends George and Sandra and Mr Bill Watson aboard his Cape Dory Kittiwake. A couple of days later my parents flew in from Newfoundland and we headed north for No Name Harbor again stopping at Rodrigeuz Key. Finally, on April 8th favourable crossing weather was upon us. We left No Name at 4AM and arrived at Bimini around 12PM. After checking in with customs and reconnecting with our friends Hayden and Stephanie aboard Plan B we anchored at North Bimini. The following day we headed for Gun Cay. Finding an anchoring spot in Honeymoon Harbour we spent a night with the most intense electrical storm we had ever seen. Awake the entire night, we spent the majority of our time hoping the anchor wouldn't drag and put us on the reef. Surviving this, and as the forecast was a repeat for the following night, we tucked our tails and got a slip at the Cat Cay Marina. The following day comprised of a 70 mile sail to Chub Cay in the Berry Islands. Although the wind may not have been as strong as we liked, it was an epic journey nonetheless. We even had some healthy thunderstorms and gusty winds to close out the day.

Dolphins In No Name Harbor	Dolphin In No Name	Enroute To Adams Key	Bedlamer Under Sail	Life Sucks
Angelfish Creek	Key West	Key West	Pelican	Mom And Dad
Sailing In The Keys	Sailing In The Keys	Sunrise On The Great Bahama Bank	Plan B And Sierra Hotel On The Bahama Bank	Plan B On The Bahama Bank
Plan B On The Bahama Bank	Sunset At Chub Cay	Sunset At Chub Cay	Sunset At Chub Cay	Sunset At Chub Cay

April 24th, 2007

After a night at anchor in Chub Cay, we headed to the Hoffman-Devil's Cay area. Here we met Derek on Leona Jane, Al and Sherry on Independence, Ivan and Andrea on Southern Passage, Dennis and Judy on Munteen Top, and Joe, Matti, and Lydia on Kailani. Hoffman Cay has what they call a 'Blue Hole.' This is a super deep stone walled hole which is excellent for diving into. Hayden and I made several olympic worthy (yeah right) dives into this abyss. We also did some fairly amazing snorkling that day off of one of Hoffman Cay's beaches. The place was littered with coral, sea fans, and multi-coloured fish. We even spotted a Manta ray! We were also following a huge cold front that had been making its way across the US. Everybody dove their anchors and prepared for the coming storm.

Shipwrecked!

The storm was a day late in coming. But it made up for it soon enough. That night at around 11PM the wind was hitting 40 to 45 knots. A quick shift in direction broke five of the seven boat's anchors loose. Of the five, three ended up on the rocks. Plan B faired the best as it's a big catamaran. Ourselves and Leona Jane spent a horrible night inching onto the rocks on our sides while the waves repeatedly picked us up and slammed us on our keels. I have to tell you, I've spent better evenings than listening to bonejarring crunches all night as the boat you have worked on for the last three years gets pummelled on the rocks. I had actually resigned myself to losing the boat and was trying to figure out ways we were going to salvage our belongings and get them to Newfoundland. This seemed a daunting task at the time seeing we were on an isolated cay in the Bahamas. We threw out three anchors to try and impede the shoreward progression. As luck would have it our CQR found itself a nice hole in the rocks and inevitably kept us from going completely onshore. Of the two other boats that broke loose, Munteen Top kept doing 360s until it regained some holding. Independence threw their engine in hard reverse and went flying out through the cut. In talking to them the next day they had actually split their anchor (a hefty sized Bruce) in half! Ivan and Andrea who are professional crew on Southern Passage, were monitoring the situation all night and saw us when we broke free. Ivan dinghyed over at first light to see if everybody was alright and if the boat was holed. Luckily, it didn't seem like we were taking on much water. Ivan took the girls back to Southern Passage, picked up Derek from Leona Jane and showed up 10 minutes later with a 90 lb Brittany anchor to try and kedge us off. Dad, Derek, myself, and Joe who had shown up to help from Kailani cranked and cranked on our main winch and the boat gradually began to pull off the shore. After thirty minutes or so and a bit of help from Ivan's dinghy, Bedlamer was floating again. But we were damaged. The bottom of the keel got a nasty crunching as well as our bilge. We had a leak somewhere but the water seemed to be coming in fairly slowly. So if your going to have a leak, those are the best ones to have. To further complicate matters, our propeller strut got sheared off, so we were also immobile.

Although a crappy situation, it could have been alot worse. Nobody got hurt and this was the important thing. I have to hand it to Stacey, Mom, and Dad and their ability to keep cool heads. After getting us off, Ivan then went to work on Plan B. She surprisingly came off fairly easily. We had to wait for the next high tide to get Leona Jane off. Luckily, neither Plan B or Leona Jane sustained serious damage.

Through all this I cannot say enough about Ivan and Andrea on Southern Passage. They rescued us, got our boat off the rocks, housed us, fed us, entertained us, and allowed us to make multiple calls on their satphone. We'd also like to thank Joe off Kailani, Al and Sherry on Independence, Derek for crankin that winch so hard, and of course Hayden and Stephanie on Plan B. If you are going to have this happen to you, its good to be in the company of such great people.

Bedlamer with crew ended up being towed to Brown's Boat Basin in Nassau for repairs. We currently await haulout.

From L to R: Leona Jane, Independence, Bedlamer, Plan B	Hoffmans/Devil's Cay Area	Hoffmans/Devil's Cay Area	From L to R: Gwen, Hayden, Ivan, Stacey, Sherry, Stephanie, Al	Southern Passage
White Cay: Bedlamer went ashore on the south (right) end	Munteen Top	Back: Judy and Dennis (Munteen Top), Me Front: Andrea and Ivan (Southern Passage), Gwen and Stacey	Bedlamer Under Tow To Nassau	Bedlamer Under Tow To Nassau

April 25th, 2007

Still at Brown's Boat Basin in Nassau (been here a week now). Hope to get hauled tomorrow with work starting on Bedlamer the following week. Other than a day downtown we've pretty much been working the brightwork on Bedlamer, reading, and developing this blog. Hayden and Stephanie emailed us today and are intending on heading to Nassau to met us. Looking forward to seeing them.

Downtown Nassau	Downtown Nassau	Pirates Museum	Straw Market	Nassau Harbour
	Downtown Nassau	Governor's House	Chris And Billy From The Fuel Dock

April 29th, 2007

Still in Nassau. Got hauled out of the water on Thursday afternoon. The damage doesn't to appear to be too too bad.They've ground down the crunched fibreglass, removed the old strut, and have taken the propshaft to see if it's bent. Have a Haitian guy named Jonny working on our teak. It looks awesome even after one coat. Bedlamer is hopefully gonna get out of here better lookin than it went in! Dad sent some of the pics he had taken when they were down here and I've included a few below. Hayden and Stephanie arrived yesterday afternoon and they kindly had us over for dinner (which was great) and we ended up staying the night. They are provisioning and doing some boat maintenance before going to the Exumas on Tuesday. Wednesday is election day here in the Bahamas. We've been told by one of the locals that we should probably stay in and around the boatyard that day as things can get a little crazy. All for now.

Stace And I	Crossing The Gulfstream	Arrival At North Bimini	Our First Fruity Rum Drinks In The Bahamas (N Bimini)	Bar We Bought Said Fruity Rum Drinks
Diving Our Anchor At Gun Cay	As Bad As Cousin It	Hayden And I	On The Bahama Bank	Resetting Sail After A Thunderstorm On The Bahama Bank
	Hoffman's Cay	Snorkling At Hoffman's Cay	Snorkling Steve

April 30th, 2007

Work continues here in the Brown's Boat Basin. Finally got the strut out of customs, shaft came back and it has a slight bend but still serviceable (excellent news cause God knows how long it would take to get a new shaft here. Hey if any of you Newfoundlanders reading this know if they machine propshafts in St John's or elsewhere home send me an email if you don't mind support@darktickle.com. Thanks). Teak will be finished today so I'll have pics of that on in a day or so. Spent yesterday at the Harbour Club with Hayden and Stephanie swimming and having the odd fruity rum drink. Got some mean bites from some sort of insect while sleeping (well I hope they're bites and not some sort of tropical measle and I now have three days to live). Stace lays on the settee as I write this, mouth gaping open in slumber looking like she just gave birth. Not to be blamed as it feels like about 1000 degrees here, the boat being out of water on this black asphalt. What else...had a pretty mean beef patty at the Esso station about an hour ago....not very spicy or anything, I almost went to the restroom where I sat. Stace had the chicken, the look on her face indicated it was every bit as spicy. Bought a new handpump for the dinghy to add to our daily exercise regiment. Wish I had some NFC chicken, you'll have to be from Griquet to get that one. Tune in same bat time same bat channel.

Finally Gettin Hauled	Keel Damage	In The Slings....Again	Keel Damage	Strut
Jonny The Teak Man	Look At That Teak!	Hayden And Stephanie At The Harbour Club	Probably Know Who We Are By Now	The Stress, The Stress

....news break. Stace just awoke from her stasis...is now standing doing repeated circular motions with her shoulders and knees while looking at me like it's the most normal thing in the world. "What the hell are you doing?", I ask in partial fear. Yoga she claims....fibreglass resin fumes is the more likely culprit.

May 4th, 2007

It's Stacey's 34th birthday today! Happy birthday Stacey! Still in Nassau...they are saying we should be fully repaired by Wed next week and if the weather is good, we'll be heading to the Exumas that day or the following. The fibreglass guys wanted to work on the bilge so they asked us to go to a hotel for a few days. Just back in the boat today but I tell ya, three days of AC, HBO, and a swimming pool wasn't the worst thing in the world. Met a very nice family from Edmonton here at Brown's and as they were going to a slip at Atlantis (www.atlantis.com), they asked us along. So we've spent that last two days on waterslides, tube rides, touring the aquarium and roasting ourselves in the sun. They have this one waterslide which is a seven story drop....man oh man...it makes you scream like a little girl.

Entrance To Atlantis Marina	Ray And Lori Aboard 'Albino Wino'	Lazy River At Atlantis	Atlantis	Aquarium
Supposedly The Biggest Manta Ray In Captivity	Moray Eels	Lagoon At Atlantis	Nassau Harbour

May 14th, 2007

We're repaired and on our way! Well, on our way but not totally repaired. Left Nassau two days ago, sailed 30 miles across the Yellow Bank and are currently in Highbourne Cay in the Exumas.

May 15th, 2007

Our propshaft which they said was in tolerance, unfortunately is not. So, we can't run the engine above 1500 rpm without it shaking the s@#t out of us. To crown the event, the wobbly shaft has now caused the seal in our V-drive to leak a little. So we have to start thinking about getting stateside to get fixed (Again! Can you believe it! Par for the course I guess....oh well) Met up with Plan B and Southern Passage as soon as we arrived and anchored next to them near Long Cay. After another excellent meal aboard Southern Passage, we went back to our boat for a well anticipated sleep. The weather had other plans however and several thunderstorms came through so we spent the night being slapped with 20-25 knots of wind and the associated bouncing about. Another front was supposed to come through two days ago so Plan B and ourselves got a slip at Highbourne Cay marina. The front has now become stationary, sitting about 80 miles north of us so we sit here in the marina, rain pouring most of the time. This is the third day. Had a chance day before yesterday to do some more snorkling. As Stace and I explored the rocks near the pier a nurse shark approached to check us out. Now a nurse shark is one of the more pleasant of the species but disconcerting nonetheless for a couple of Newfoundlanders. Given the fact the only sharks we generally see are in Seaworld or on the movie 'Jaws'. Had a really nice day on the beach that day with a few pints and an occasional dip in the crystal clear water. You have to see the water here..it is the clearest I have ever seen. Beautiful isn't the word. Soon as the weather clears we'll probably spend a couple of more days around some of the cays here and then head for Florida. I don't think repairs will take too long and we'll get a chance to see the guys at Cracker Boy again so that's cool. Then, up the coast it is, hell bent for the Isle of Newf. Looking forward to turning north. We'll spend some time in the Chesapeake and see if we can find our friend Bill on Kittiwake. Supposed to be a real good place to get new sails so we'll probably pick up one or two of those when we're there. All for now!

Potters Cay

Brenda And Lucas At Potters Cay

Leaving Nassau

Beach At Highbourne

Hayden And I

May 16th, 2007

Still at Highbourne, maybe heading to Norman Cay tomorrow. Here's some more pics.

The Gang At Highbourne	Nurse Sharks Feeding At The Pier At Highbourne	Bedlamer And Plan B In Highbourne Cay Marina	Bedlamer In Her Slip	Highbourne Cay
Highbourne Cay	Some Kind Of Lizard	Stacey On Stromatolite Beach	Stacey On Stromatolite Beach	Stromatolite Beach

May 24th, 2007

Back in Nassau now trying to get back to the states. We spent a few days at Highbourne Cay, then a couple of nights at Norman's Cay then back to Highbourne again as the weather was starting to deteriorate (some interesting weather in the Exumas, I think there was a total of six water spouts in the 10 days we spent there). Norman's is pretty cool. It used to be inhabited by the notorious drug lord Carlos somebody, I can't remember what his last name is. There is a ditched drug plane about the size of a DC 3 in the middle of the southern anchorage. This was extremely cool to snorkel around. I think it went down sometime in the 70's or 80's so it is completely covered with sea growth and hords of multicoloured fish were hanging around it. A school of small yellow and black striped ones followed Stacey and I as we snorkled around. There is also a boat sitting on top of the island. Apparently, when the drug trade was in full swing there a cruising boat stopped to anchor. Carlos's guys went out to tell them they couldn't stay but they decided it was a free country and they weren't leaving. So, Carlos gets his helicopter and picks them boat and all out of the water and sits them on top of the island. Not sure why one would want to argue with a notorious drug traffiker but there you go. Anyway, Carlos is now in jail, the drug days of Norman's are over, and people are trying to revive the Cay. We spent a couple of evenings at a tiki bar just starting up. People there are super nice (which I have to say is a virtue of the Bahamas in general) and two of whom we met went to private school in Ontario. As I did a year in that purgatory, we had lots to yarn about. Two nights ago we left for Nassau. As they were calling for winds up to 27 knots we decided to do a dog legged course around the Yellow Bank to avoid the coral heads (these can be easily seen in good light, but as it had the potential to be rough, we didn't want to take chances in not being able to spot them). For the first part of the crossing the sailing was awesome. Although the rain was pouring, the wind was consistent at about 15 knots just ahead of our beam. Our boat excels on this point of sail so we put every stitch of canvas out and Bedlamer with the bone in her teeth, sped along at our hull speed of 7.2 knots. This lasted until about 25 miles into the 40 we had to go. At that point the wind picked up to about 25-30 knots in about ten seconds. Upon turning the boat into the wind in an attempt to reduce sail, to our surprise (well, not really surprise as the our sails are not in the best shape) our mizzen sail pretty much exploded. Lovely. We managed to get that crap tucked away and continued our way to Nassau. Waves now were about 6 to 8 feet off our beam. Stacey, I have to say, was not completely impressed with this turn of events. We beat in at about 45 degrees to the waves for a few miles (doing a whopping 2.5 - 3 knots) then fell off at about 45 degrees for a few more miles. On turning into one it broke over the top of the boat and dodger and struck me fair in the face and chest...quite the power wash I tell ya. We made it to Nassau a few hours later pretty tired. We are anchored now at the east end of the harbour waiting for weather to continue on to Chub Cay. Unfortunately, Nassau's anchorages are not the best. The holding in the west anchorage is marginal, and the east anchorage, where we are, has better holding but is open to the strong easterly we are now experiencing (calling for 29 knots for the next two days) so its a tad bouncy. We have a 45 lb manson and 35 lb CQR out with about 150 feet of rode on each, so lets hope it's not a repeat of the Berrys and that I didn't just jinx us. Upon leaving the Exumas we also parted company with Plan B. They are heading south to the BVIs and we of course, are heading north. All the best Plan B, we'll miss you guys! Happy sailing and fair winds! We'll save a couple of cold plates fer yees fer when ya comes to Newfoundland. The good ones with the Jello and peas.

Anchored At Norman's	Ditched Drug Plane At Norman's	Smaller Cay Off Norman's	Wax Cay	Octopussy (the actual boat from the Bond movie!) At Highbourne
Sky At Highbourne	Beach At Highbourne	Big A#$ Moth That Came On Board	Bedlamer At Her Anchor In Nassau	Nassau East Anchorage

June 11th, 2007

Back in the states! Sailed from Nassau on May the 30th, spent a night on the banks, arrived in Bimini on the 31st. Waited out another windstorm (had no less than three anchors out this time) Sailed from Bimini to West Palm Beach on the 5th and after a night at anchor got hauled out at Cracker Boy on the 6th. Our straightened shaft is supposed to arrive today as is our new mizzen sail. If all goes well we'll be back in the water later today and set sail for Cape Canaveral tomorrow. We have a bunch of pics and stuff to talk about since the last post but have been pretty busy here in the yard getting things back in shape. The all day/all night sail tomorrow should give us ample time to do a proper update so check back in a day or so!

July 1st, 2007

Ok, So It’s been more than a few days… Sorry. We had a great time in Nassau before we left. We met some terrific people and got to practice our French. We met Regis, a solo sailer from France. He was actually a professional chef on mega yachts out of Ft. Lauderdale. We don’t have to tell you how that relationship was beneficial!! We enjoyed great laughs and awesome food but had to sadly say goodbye on the gulfstream as he headed to Ft. Lauderdale and we went to West Palm. We also met Rodolphe and Cecile a young couple from Martinique who were gracious hosts for many good conversations half in English, and half in our poor attempt at French. We had some fantastic Chinese food and conversation with “Jade Moon” (Linda and Ray) at Nassau.

'La Fringante,' la bateau de Rodolphe et Cecile	Stacey, Cecile, Rodolphe, Fucault (sorry if I misspelled!), Gauthier, and Regis	Cecile's Birthday At The Manhattan Bar	Regis In 'Sara' Crossing The 'The Tongue Of The Ocean'	'Just Imagine' Crossing 'The Tongue Of The Ocean'
	Back In Bimini	Mahi Mahi Regis And I Caught In Bimini

Spent five days at Cracker Boy and it was really nice to see everyone again. We were treated like returning family and after the long trip over from the Bahamas it was great. Our main goal was to get our shaft straightened which we did. However, it is still not as straight as we would like and we do experience some vibration if the engine is run at too high an RPM. In retrospect we should have gotten a new shaft completely but I guess you live and you learn. Initially we were planning to make an outside run from West Palm to Cape Canaveral but as the weather didn't seem like cooperating we took the intracoastal waterway. We are in the company of “Just Imagine” a 38 ft Ingrid ketch. Julie and Keith Miller are from Galveston but previously lived in Washington. We've actually sailed in the same places up in Puget Sound! The Intracoastal (ICW) is like driving up the Straits of Belle Isle if it was all flooded. Lots of boat traffic and pretty cool places, but not much of a chance to get the sails up. By father’s day we had made it to St. Augustine. After a night at anchor, the weather and wind was in our favour so outside we went. 36 hours and 197 miles later we were in Charleston SC. We didn’t go on the rocks, kill each other or go off course. We did have a few mishaps however. Around 1:30AM I got a flying fish in the forehead. About 20 minutes later, another found it's mark in the centre of my back. This one we later found in the dinghy. Then later, a mackerel jumped out of the water and found itself on our starboard deck. I don’t know about anyone else, but nowhere in any cruising books did they warn us about suicidal fish. Once daylight came “Just Imagine “and “Bedlamer” were busy disposing of fish bodies. Crazy. Charleston is a amazing city, steeped in history and beautiful architecture.

Oscar At Cracker Boy	Nasa Buildings At Cape Canaveral	Intracoastal Waterway (ICW)	An Inhabited Abandoned Tug In Florida	St. Augustine, Florida (oldest city in North America...well, with the exception of St John's that is)
St. Augustine	Just Imagine	Dolphins Playing On The Way To Charleston	Dolphins Playing On The Way To Charleston	Flying Fish That Jumped On Deck During the Night
Charleston	Charleston	Charleston	Charleston	Keith And Julie (Julie hates this picture)
Alligator On The ICW In South Carolina	ICW, South Carolina	Shrimpboats, ICW, South Carolina	ICW, South Carolina

After a couple of days in Charleston we headed out once again and as the wind was from the north, up the ICW once again. The first night found us in Holden Beach NC where we spent the night tied to a fuel dock. Next was on to Wrightsville Beach to meet up with Derek (fellow shipwreck victim from White Cay). There we also met Derek’s girlfriend Denise and they graciously brought us around Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington for groceries, parts, and dinner. As Derek had a couple of days before he was to head off camping with Denise, he decided to join us and at 6PM the night of the 25th we headed out the cut for a 65 mile night crossing to Beaufort NC. It was very nice to have an extra hand for an additional watch at night. With the exception of some rolling, and a waterspout almost forming as we entered Beaufort, the crossing was uneventful. Arrival in Beaufort was around 8AM and we continued up the ICW and anchored around 7PM that evening. The next day we dropped Derek off at Miss Wanda’s marina and he hitched hiked back to Wrightsville Beach. We anchored for the night in South Lake at the southeastern corner of Albemarle Sound. A full day of motoring then brought us within 15 miles of Norfolk, Virginia. The night was spent at a free dock just south of a lock we traversed the following morning. Here we met a couple on another boat out of Martinique as well as a couple on a catamaran and trawler. In morning ‘Just Imagine,’ ‘Bedlamer,’ ‘L’Chuppen (the boat out of Martinique), ‘Someday Soon (cat),’ and ‘Legacy (the trawler)’ headed in convoy towards Norfolk. We arrived here two days ago and are now waiting out some northerly winds to make a two day run to Ocean City, Maryland. Stacey's nursing school friend Jamie, her husband Brad, and baby Will live in Raleigh NC and they drove out yesterday to visit and spend a night on the boat with us. A great time was had by all as we chatted and consumed a few malt beverages til the wee hours. Sorry for the delay in getting this updated but we’ve been running pretty hard the last while to try and get north…we promise the tardiness will cease.

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina	Derek And Denise	Packed In With The Groceries	Ha Ha, Very Funny Derek And Stacey	Partially Formed Waterspout While Entering Beaufort NC
Warship Entering Beaufort	Osprey Nest	Derek	L'Chuppen	ICW Enroute To Norfolk
Portsmouth, Virginia	Portsmouth, Virginia	Jamie, Will, and Brad	Jamie and Will	USS Wisconsin
	Stacey On The Wisconsin

July 5th, 2007

In Ocean City Maryland. Got here at daylight yesterday morning after 23 hours. Trip was pretty good except rolly near the end and entering the cut was a little dicey with alot of current, rain and wind. At anchor now waiting for the winds to die down a little so we can continue on to New York. Here's a couple of video clips.

Dolphins On The Way To Ocean City Clip

Norfolk, VA - Ocean City, Just After Reefing For The Night Clip

July 23rd, 2007

We're in Nantucket! Here visiting our aunt, uncle and cousins. We left Ocean City and ran a hundred and twenty miles or so to New York City. No flying fish or blood this trip.Spent 5 days there on a mooring ball at the 79th street boat basin. Had a great time touring Manhattan and hooked up with an old friend of ours, Chris from Toronto. Toured Times Square and went to see Mama Mia. Lots of spandex there! Met a young couple, Lars and Karoline from Norway who we may see again in Newfoundland. Only other souls we know brave or stupid enough to "cruise" Newfoundland! Sadly we left Just Imagime in New York as they will be staying for the summer. Thanks for the great times guys! Leaving this we motored up the East River and anchored at the bottom of Long Island Sound before heading to Westbrook CT the following day. With a favourabe tide and 20 knots of wind on the starboard quarter, we were hitting over 9 knots at times. It was awesome as thats pretty fast for our snail. Leaving Westbrook we went through the 'Race' (the entrance to Long Island Sound) which had about the biggest tide rip we had ever seen. Stacey took a short nap and when she woke up she thought it was a scene from the perfect storm. After almost crossing paths with a nuclear submarine we crossed Block Island Sound to Block Island RI. (Again, Stacey thought it was a bad dream.) Block Island was nice, we spent the night anchored next to a three masted tall ship which I think was one of those schools afloat or whatever. Five AM the following morning we weighed anchor and headed the 80 miles to Nantucket. This took us across Rhode Island Sound, around the north side of Martha's Vineyard and into the harbour on the north side of Nantucket. We've been here for seven days now and hope to head out by Wednesday weather permitting. It's been a fun stay listening to those funny Massachusetts accents and tormenting the family. Aunt Betty is actually in Newfoundland (always one step ahead that one) so Uncle Gardner is le host extraordinaire along with the rest of the Macdonald contingent. We are utterly amazed by how much mail we have piled up here. It's a wonder they didn't have to move out to make space for all the crap we had waiting for us! Anyone need a credit card appication? So we'll keep you up to date...hope to head out soon and see all the folks in Halifax. Keep the good weather wishes coming, word on the street is we will need it!

Boardwalk In Ocean City Maryland	Entering New York Harbour	Bedlamer And The Statue Of Liberty	New York	Bedlamer Approaching Manhattan
Empire State Building	Keith, Julie, And Stacey At Times Square	Ground Zero	Manhattan From The East River	Brooklyn Bridge
Block Island, Rhode Island	Brant Point, Nantucket Harbour	Great Point, Nantucket	Uncle Gardner And I	Sarah, Ashley, Derrick, And Beau
		Bedlamer

July 28th, 2007

In Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Left Nantucket and skirted the north side of Martha's Vineyard, through Quick's Hole and into Buzzard's Bay. Anchored in Onset, MA just south of the Cape Cod Canal. Shot the canal around 5:30AM on the northbound tide and sailed 70 miles to Gloucester, MA. This is a really cool town with alot of maritime history. The following day found us at Richmond Island ME. Left around noon today and spent the day in heavy fog. Heading to Vinalhaven tomorrow, then Winter Harbor to prep for crossing the Bay of Fundy. Hope to make it to Yarmouth NS by Tue.

Gloucester, MA

Gloucester

Fisherman's Memorial, Gloucester

Crew Of The 'Andrea Gail' Lost In 'The Perfect Storm.'

Seguin Island Light, Maine

August 10th, 2007

We would love to tell you all that Maine is beautiful but we really didn't see it. FOG! Holy mother of God we've never seen the like. August 1st we crossed the Bay of Fundy. Departed Winter Harbor Maine at 3:30AM and manouvered through all the lobster pots finally getting into the open water of Fundy. Although a tad chilly it was a beautiful crossing. We saw 2 whales, lots of birds and the ever fearful high speed Cat Ferry to Yarmouth. Needless to say it passed us. We arrived in Yarmouth around 6PM and spent 2 days settling into Canada (ie, drinking Keith's beer, eating scallops) Had a great dinner with the marina guests, Jim and Betty from Betty Girl, Steve and Janice, Hans and Jeannie and Lynn. After acquiring some supplies we headed out for Cape Sable Island (again in the fog) and spent two days at West Head. Had a few chats with the Coast Guard (Newfoundland captain of course) on the waters around Cape Sable and set out for Shelboune. Met up with Jim and Betty again and had a great meal and conversation. The following night we anchored at Port Mouton and on the 6th, arrived in Mahone Bay. We are currently enjoying the hospitlaity of cousin Jean and her husband Barry. Having a blast and really enjoying staying in an actual house (it's the first time we've been off the boat since April)! Bedlamer is safe on a mooring ball but we've had our dinghy motor stolen. Everyone is pretty shocked this would happen here and apparently its made the local news. Winds were too high to set out yesterday so we are spent our day looking for a "brand new second hand motor". It's a major bummer, and it brought forth a few oats, but hey, things could be worse. Our friend Nate is coming on the 11th so we hope to get to Halifax on Saturday and smooze with our friends and family in that area.

Boothbay Harbor, Maine	Boat On The Rocks, Nova Scotia	Port Mouton, Nova Scotia	Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia	Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
	Cousin Jean And Barry	Barry And I Sporting Our New Ensembles

August 18th, 2007

Baddeck, Cape Breton Island! Waiting for a weather window to continue on to Ingonish and across the Cabot Strait. Here is the current forecast:

Gale warning continued.
Winds northerly 25 knots increasing to northwest winds 30 to gales 40 near midnight. Gales diminishing to westerly winds 25 Sunday morning. Occasional showers or thundershowers. Fog patches lifting overnight. Visibility fair in showers and poor in fog. Little temperature change.
Outlook for Monday...Strong northwesterlies.

So no, not going anywhere yet. Looking for a couple of days of nice light to moderate winds so we're not going across the strait in 15 to 20 foot waves. After leaving Mahone Bay we had a beautiful sail to Halifax. We stayed at Alderney Landing (thanks Uncle Brendan) and enjoyed the help of John the owner. Met our friends Tara and Marlene there and their significant others, Ryan and Steve. Sunday night found us at the "Lower Deck" where we listened to "Signal Hill", a band from Newfoundland. More old friends, Michelle and Leah Ann met us here and we had an excellent time. Nate our friend from Portland Oregon joined us here as well for a week aboard the cruise ship "Bedlamer". Spent two days motoring in fog but were able to tie up in the very nice village of Fisherman's Harbour. Met some nice locals, (Glen and Debbie) and took off in the morning and had an awesome sail across the Strait of Canso. (thought of our friend Kirk here and had a toast to him). That night we tied up at the locks in St. Peter's and met a guy that only Kirk could sing about. Michael Joseph Sampson was a local "colourful" character to say the least and we cannot write all that he said as we would need a parental sticker on this site! Lets just say that when we asked the lock guys if they knew him they both laughed (that oh my jesus laugh). After the locks we were on the Bra's D'or Lakes and it was beautiful. This area is unbelievable and the sailing was incredible. That night we met up with Doctor Fitzgerald and Doctor O'Keefe (doctors from home) and they kindly invited us to their place for a barbecue. Since then it's been touring the town of Baddeck. The Alexander Graham Bell Museum is here and is very interesting and of course the Cape Bretoners are really fun. We were joking with the launch driver today ('a youngin') and told him he had a great job just driving us back and forth to the boat. He says," Yeah, it's better than pumping shit." ( for those of you that don't know he's refering to the pump out station). Nice people here at Baddeck Marina. Our friend Nate left today. We have been busy watching the weather, as well as hurricane Dean. We have friends in Martinique and haven't heard if they are OK yet. Our emails keep bouncing back unfortunately. Even though we are itching to see the rock, we'll have to wait a little longer for clear skies and fair winds.

August 19th, 2007

Some pics.

Marlene, Tara, and Ryan In Halifax	Halifax	Nate	Fisherman's Harbour	Fisherman's Harbour
Fisherman's Harbour	Crossing The Strait Of Canso	St. Peter's Canal	St. Peter's Canal	Bras D'or Lakes
Baddeck	Baddeck	Baddeck	Baddeck	Doctor Fitzgerald And I
	Dr. Fitzgerald And Dr. O'Keefe	Baddeck	'Dad Got A Blue Truck'

August 26th, 2007

We're on the rock! Made it to Port Aux Basques around 5:30PM on Thursday. With the exception of little wind, and the fact we had to motor, the crossing was awesome. Saw some whales and dolphins on the way and in the middle of the Cabot Strait the visibility was so good we could see St. Paul's Island and Cape Breton (Nova Scotia), and Cape Ray, Cape Anguille and the Port Aux Port Peninsula (Newfoundland) all at once! Didn't even know that was possible. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We left Baddeck after several days of bad weather and sailed 40 odd miles to Ingonish. Spent a couple of days there waiting out some unfavourable winds. Ingonish is the entrance to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and is a pretty nice area. We provisioned up a little, got a haircut, went for a couple of bike rides, and took a ski lift ride to the top of the Cape Smokey ski resort. Anyway, blah, blah, enough of that, back to the Newfoundland part, here we are, WOOOOWHOOO!!! Unfortunately, the weather has sucked the past few days with high winds, fog, and rain. Been tied to the wharf ever since we arrived. But we care not, just glad to be here, and glad to make it across the Cabot Strait and still be on top of the water. Been eating our share of fish and brewis, poutine, and hot turkey sandwiches (with the dressing and gravy on the fries of course...why the hell have other people not caught on to that?...oh yeah right, heart disease, anyhoo). Hoping for an improvement in the next couple of days so we can get on to Codroy, and then around the Port Aux Port. The haul around the Port Aux Port can be a bear. It's about a 70 mile run with no harbours to tuck into so we gotta plan the weather right. Over and out for now.

Approaching Cape Smokey	Cape Smokey And Ingonish Harbour	Ingonish Harbour	Ingonish Harbour	Stacey
Bedlamer At The Wharf Lower Left	Bedlamer At The Wharf	Ingonish Harbour	'MV Caribou' Crossing The Cabot Strait	Cape Ray and Cape Anguille Newfoundland
Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland	Light At Port Aux Basques	Port Aux Basques	Port Aux Basques	Celebration!
		Beautiful Day Here In Port Aux Basques

September 7th, 2007

We're in Cow Head. Left Port Aux Basques around 2:30 AM on August 28th and headed for Blue Beach on the Port Aux Port (around 100NM). Rounding Cape Ray sucked with waves running 10 to 12 feet. Once around however, the rest of the day turned out nice. We pulled into Blue Beach and found a secluded, nice, but small harbour. Only fishing shacks there and the odd scallop fisherman. The next day we headed to Lark Harbour and rafted to a fishing boat. Some fishermen helped us tie up, we met Skipper Jim, some local dude, and a couple from Australia who had been cruising Labrador for the summer. After a dozen Canadian, up shows Stacey's cousin Danielle to take us to Aunt Nellie's for dinner. We were treated to family, friends, good food, and music. The following day we headed to Allen's Cove Marina (Bay of Islands Yacht Club). What a great little spot. Close to Corner Brook, all the amenities, and the nicest people. We also met an awesome couple our age. Gavin and Valerie, like ourselves, moved back home to work and also have a sailboat. They convinced us to go to Wood's Island for Labour Day weekend and after twisting our rubber arm we gave in. Shortly thereafter however, we realized we had no groceries and very little beer. Apparently in their world this isn't a problem, as we enjoyed drink and laughter through the entire weekend. (even jigs dinner on Sunday and for you non-Newfoundlanders this is the equivalent to heaven). A couple of days later on Val's birthday we were joined by a bunch of people from the marina and had a blast with a great bonfire with Norris, Marina, Gord, Ruth, Russ, John and Doris. John and Doris, also awesome hosts, treated us to some great conversation and seafood chowder. Upon returning to the marina we got the groceries and the oil filters we needed then hosted a meal on our boat to try and ammend for being such mooches. Leaving was bittersweet but the good part is that we will see everybody again (as well as Gavin and Val's baby when it comes). We also left with an updated medical kit and a loan of 'Water Dog's' life raft. We are enjoying Cow Head and going to the theatre this evening. We are so close to home but it may take another 8 months to get there. Gotta love the Newfoundland weather.

September 10th, 2007

Look at the August 26th and September 7th entries first as both are new. Port Au Choix! We finally got an internet connection strong enough to post. Left Cow Head on the 8th and had a beautiful day to Port Au Choix. Came into a harbour filled with big fishing boats and tied up to a floating dock next to the Coast Guard. Had a great surprise as Stacey's parents came to visit! It was their first time seeing 'Bedlamer' and we all sat down to a feed of boiled fish and potatoes (fresh cod from a local fisherman). They left the next morning but not before we took advantage of the car and got the diesel we needed. So now all we need to get the rest of the way, is fair winds. We tried this AM but weren't getting much headway with 20kt winds on our nose. So, came back to our spot and have been joined by two German boats. Looks like we're not the only ones braving the Newfoundland waters this time of year. We also talked to our friends Stephanie and Hayden this morning who are in the Turks enjoying 80F weather. Stace is smuddered in blanket as we speak with the heater on bust. Still we are smiling, must be a brain freeze. We are about 110 nautical miles from home and needless to say both excited, but a little sad as the trip is coming to an end. We just need the right wind.......

Cape St. George, Port Aux Port Peninsula	Blue Beach, Port Aux Port	Caplin Cove	South Head Light, Bay Of Islands	Nellie's And Tony's Anniversary
Danielle And Stacey	Bay Of Islands	'Water Dog' And 'Bedlamer' At Woods Island	Valerie And Gavin Of 'Water Dog'	Gavin, Doris, Valerie, John, And Stacey Aboard 'Summer Wind'
'Water Dog' Leaving Woods Island	Sunrise Over Woods Island	'Summer Wind' In Bay Of Islands	On The Way To Cow Head	On The Way To Cow Head
Gros Morne	Western Brook Fjord In Background	Western Brook Fjord, Gros Morne National Park	Captain Stacey	White Rock Islets, Cow Head
Cow Head	Cow Head	Pointe Riche Light	John, Stacey's Dad	Evangeline, Stacey's Mom
		Port Au Choix

September 27th, 2007

We're home!!!! Pics to follow..

October 6th, 2007

Hi everyone!

Well it's been a busy week and a half! We left Port Au Choix at midnight on the 22nd and had great weather for about 8 hours. It was starting to look like we'd have to buy a house in Port Au Choix but alas we actually managed to leave the harbour. We had a great time in Port Au Choix and met some really nice people including the captains and crews of the CCGS Cape Norman (Coast Guard). Our friend Cyril who works there is a longtime friend of the family. We couldn't ask for a better group of people. They helped us with our boat, looked at weather with us and we had many a good laugh over the course of our 2 week stay.They even gave us numbers to call them direct if needed. Thanks again guys! We were joined on our homeward voyage by Mr. Les Hedderson (aka Chicken) and really enjoyed his expertise and company. Never seen a man be able to fall asleep so quickly and wake up perfectly refreshed after 20 minutes. The wind came up just as we passed Flowers Cove and we beat into it the rest of the way. No odds we say cause we were almost there. Les took us through the inside of Sacred Island and we passed Cape Onion, Lanse Aux Meadows, Quirpon and on to Griquet. Bedlamer and crew entered Griquet harbour around 6pm on September 23rd.....it was awesome. The wind and sea was beginning to come up outside but as soon as we got in the lee of Alice Island things became civil, much less wind and seagulls everywhere. Then, to our surprise, we saw a crowd of people waiting for us on the wharf! No need to explain how this felt, Les was telling Stacey to stop crying and we managed Bedlamer to her very own mooring off the end of our wharf. We then went ashore to family and friends and a fine little get together.

So, "Now what?", you say..... Well Kier started work at the famous Dark Tickle Company and Stacey is in the process of restarting her nursing career. We had a great visit with our friend Carol from Portland, Oregon, Gavin and Val had a baby boy, and "Bedlamer" is up in St. Anthony awaiting a trip to Englee for the winter. Of course high winds prevail at present. We are busy getting back to our lives, work, house, bills. Every now and then we are a little sad but that will all change next spring when we get aboard Bedlamer again and start exploring the Newfoundland and Labrador coastline. To all of our family and friends we say thank you for your encouragement and good wishes on this adventure. To all of you that we met along the way, thank you for making our first extended cruise such a memorable, amazing journey and may the winds always be in your sails!

To our beloved "Bedlamer"....thanks ol' girl, you're one in a million..loves ya!

Our Friend Wade In Port Au Choix	"Boarded!" Our Friend Cyril From The Coast Guard	CCGS Cape Norman In Port Au Choix	Jody And Cyril In The Port Au Choix Coast Guard Station	Cyril And Skipper Leonard Skinner In The Port Au Choix Coast Guard Station
The Cape Norman Around Pointe Riche	Pointe Riche Light	Labrador On The Horizon In The Strait Of Belle Isle	Nappy Time In The Strait Of Belle Isle	Langlecraig On Sacred Island
Les On The Helm	Shoals Breaking Off Quirpon	Norstead (Replica Norse Village) In L'anse Aux Meadows	"The Promised Land!!" (Entrance To Griquet Harbour)	Entrance To Griquet Harbour (How Good Does It Look..)
"Bedlamer" Entering Griquet Harbour	Approaching Our Mooring	Tying To Our Mooring (Yes, Our Very Own, Didn't Cost A Cent)	Dinghying In	Our Welcoming Party On Our Wharf
	"Bedlamer" On Her Mooring	"Bedlamer" On Her Mooring	"Bedlamer" On Her Mooring

bedlamer n also beddamer, bedlemer, bedlimmer, bellamer [phonetics unavailable]. Cp OED ~ 'lunatic' (1675, 1753); EDD bedlam sb1 1 'troublesome person or animal', EDD ~ 1 'Bedlam-beggar' (1742); DC ~ Nfld (1773-) for sense 1; EDD ~ 2 (Nfld: 1898) for sense 2.
1 An immature seal, esp a harp seal, approaching breeding age; also attrib.
[1766] 1971 BANKS 145 The Bedlamer Quite dusky without any mark they themselves tell you that the Bedlamer is the young harp. [1774] 1792 CARTWRIGHT ii, 35-6 We hauled some nets ... and a couple of bedlamers. [1802] 1916 MURPHY 2-3 Our dependence rests wholly upon Harps and Bedlamers, which are driven by winds and ice from the northeast seas. 1842 JUKES i, 310 When twelve months old the males [harp-seals] are still scarcely to be distinguished from the females, and during that season they are called 'bedlamers.' 1867 SMYTH 93 ~ Young Labrador seals, which set up a dismal cry when they cannot escape their pursuers—and go madly after each other in the sea. 1905 MURPHY 21 "Seal Hunting Song": Old 'bedlamers' we often take, / Their 'pelts' being quite as good, sir, / As any 'swoil' in yield of oil / Be he 'dog harp' or 'hood,' sir. 1923 CHAFE 9 [In migrating] the Harps keep comparatively near the Shore and the Hoods a few miles off. The giddy bedlamers alone break the rules of the road. 1933 GREENE 74 These young Bedlamer seals appear to be free of the strict herd-control that comes with later days. They seem to be allowed to swim, and fish, and herd by themselves, and indeed to live as they choose; whereas some kind of an almost military discipline seems to exist amongst the adult members of these seal communities. 1937 DEVINE 9 ~ A two-year old harp seal, said to be corrupted from the French Bete de la mer, (Beast of the sea). T 80/4--64 This year they're a bellamer, small bellamer, and the next year they're a big bellamer. What we calls a turner seal is tumin' from a bellamer to a harp. 1978 Decks Awash vii (1) [p. ii] ~ a juvenile harp seal from about 1 to 5 years of age which has a spotted coat.
2 A youth approaching manhood, esp in comb ~ boy; MANEEN.
1896 J A Folklore ix, 34 Bedlamer ... is applied rather contemptuously to young fellows between 16 and 20. 1940 SCAMMELL 8 "The Six Horse-Power Coaker": 'Twas coming on night, with the seas feather white, / When up to us rowed a small skiff, / And a bedlamer boy with a cast in his eye, / Kindly offered to give us a lift. 1959 SAMSON vii He, as a 'bedlammer' boy, entertained the notion of going to St John's. T 191-65 There would be always a crowd of bedlamer boys, and when the older people 'd be inside havin' their tea, the young fellers 'd be outside.

The Dictionary Of Newfoundland English G.M. Story, W.J. Kirwin, J.D.A. Widdowson (Breakwater Books 1982)