|
|
December e-mail
12/06/00
Captain O'Leary will be on the Sturdy Beggar 12/10/00 to continue his cruise South
Evening News 12/10/00
Back on the Sturdy Beggar. Very cold. Drove back to VA with Rich Seeger from the S/V Cara. Thanks for the ride, Rick. Enjoyed the visit. One of the guys here gave me a 5 gal. pail of oysters. Cooked them in the oven for dinner. Very good. Will pick up supplies tomorrow (all stores are CLOSED here on Sundays) then head out the first good day. Stay warm.
__________
Evening News 12/14/00
Date line - Tangier Island. Cold and raining today. Looks like we will be able to leave tomorrow morning, Friday. Two other boats going. One from Vineyard Haven, a 40' catch and a little 30' Choey Lee catch from Camden Maine. All going the same way. All going to the Bahamas. So, hopefully we will be traveling together all the way down. RJO
(Peter, I hope you got the bottle open!)
__________
E-mail rec'd
CAPTAIN, HOPEFULLY YOU DIDN'T CATCH THAT DREADED VIRUS UP HERE IN MASS. I'M 8 POUNDS LESS THAN THE LAST TIME YOU SAW ME. SAIL ON O' CAPITAN
DAN
__________
Glad to hear from you. We missed the Sturdy Beggar! Tell the Captain to stay warm and safe. Merry Christmas and happy sailing! The LeBlancs
_________
To; Capt. O: Was just about to go onto the net to find out your status. Glad to read that you have some company on the way south. I am assuming that you had a pleasant holiday and glad to be underway once more. Have a Merry Xmas in the Bahamas.
Mario & Paula
_________
Hello Sturdy Beggarites, both on land and at sea- We love getting the "sailing updates"....makes us feel we're right there on board...Holly working and Tim chumming......wonder if Baby Bennett will get his mom's iron gut (well...not quite back to iron yet....Bennett's only 1 week old) or his dad's "lack-of-sea legs/stomach". Thanks again Suzanne for the bom vayage (spelling?) party last Friday....keep in touch.
T, H, B, and of course, Lily
_________
Hi Rich; Along with Mario I to have been wondering where you are and how you are. I can see you now, on the bow of "Sturdy Beggar" as you enter a harbor in the Bahamas--- Singing " Day O, Day-a-a-a-y O, work all day for a drink of Rum". It won't mean much to the younger generation but it was #1 with the middies in the mid 50's. I just heard from Vin Corsano and a few of your belongings have been found on the site of the old "GEdunk" stand at MMA. You probably need these on your trek through the Islands for trading purposes: 5 pair of "Sea washed dungarees"; a box of candy that says "property of Dick Phelan"; 10 rolls of pennies for use when the natives "Dive for coins" and the most valuable of all; 2-- #10 cans of Strawberry Jam labeled "MEAT". The latter must be used in your last day in port for personal safety reasons. I will send these on the UPS Boat. I sure hope you had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends and wish you fair winds on your trip to The Bahamas. In early January I'll be visiting Reg and Jan Berry in Florida and seeing Kel Matteson as well. I think Suzanne deserves a good present from the Islands for being a conduit for all your e-mail.
Regards, Dick B
_________
Evening News 12/15/00
We are in Deltaville on the Rappahannock River tonight. Winds started in the NE. During the day it backed around to the SW. The two boats I am traveling with were slow today. Talked with them tonight. Told then I was going to head for Norfolk the first chance I had and would wait for them there. They want to go through the Dismal Swamp. Never been there. Sounds interesting. There has been a lot of boat traffic here since we arrived. One boat load of people just were by with Santa onboard! Tis the Season.
For the students following the Sturdy Beggar:
The Rappahannock River
__________
E-mail rec'd
Happy to hear that Rich as some other boats accompanying him on the trip down south! Pray that he will have fair winds also. I have attached a Christmas tree that was created by Takami. As always, Rich
__________
12/16/2000
Capt/Chief O'Leary; So you are on the way to Norfolk. Do you remember the last time we were there? I think we were on the SS Exiria. You had some medical problem ( I think it was your finger you goldbrick) and went to the Marine Hospital down town. Lo and behold, you ran into an old friend of mine from my Navy days. I have always wondered if you had any thing to do with the fact that I never heard from her again ( kidding). Let all who read this know that Dick and I were unattached at that point in time. Sounds like your boat should be named the Speedy Beggar as you seem to be outrunning your friends. Merry Christmas old friend. I will give you a new address soon as we will have a laptop with us this winter from sometime after December 23. Bill Fitzpatrick
__________
Sat 12/16/00
Still in Deltaville. Not far from Gloucester, Gloucester, VA that is. Fog. Warm. Suppose to blow a gale tomorrow. Have the heavy anchor out tonight. Have not left the boat all day. Getting a lot of reading done. Hello to everyone.
__________
Evening News 12/17/00
Dateline: Deltaville I am in a small cove in Jackson's Creek. It has been dark all day. Tornado in the area today. A gust of wind laid the Sturdy Beggar on her side. Yea, WOW! Wind is forecast to be 25 out of the West in the morning so I will head for Norfolk. Sure, Mike, use the truck
__________
Hi Dad. Sorry it's been awhile, I've been under the weather for the past week and am just starting to feel better, the O'Leary flu washed up and bit 7 of us last week (Liam and I were the last ones to get it) Finished wrapping today and am ready to enjoy the rest of the week! Liam sure is excited about Santa Claus this year, I've had to be careful and wrap "Santa's gifts" in different paper and write tags out with my left hand.! We'll be missing you over the holiday and be thinking of you all the while. Hope this leg of the journey has been enjoyable, glad to hear you've got some company on the waterways. Be safe and have fun. We'll chat again before the weekend. Kathy.
__________
Evening News 12/19/00
Sturdy Beggar is at a very nice marina recommended by Rick Seeger south of the Great Bridge Lock, the only lock on the waterway. The Dismal Swamp is closed due to ?low water? . Took a shower, shaved the beard off and did laundry. A boat from Colorado arrived shortly after the SB and anchored. In the middle of the night it was aground and leaning way over. A lot of shallow water here.
__________
E-mail rec'd
5AM Working on my second cup of coffee. It's 20°F outside and the ground's covered with snow. We had one 4-incher, and then some dust (just about daily) to keep it bright. We just had our kitty, Woucht (Snow) spayed, so we were up early to look after her. Her brother, and littermate, I might add, was a mess while she was gone. I guess they've never been apart since the womb. ...
We've settled in nicely. I busy myself with household chores. Built a cold cellar for our fruit storage, a woodshed for our fuel, and today's chore is insulation on the plumbing (so I won't have to keep two stoves going all the time). The house is snug, and we have good neighbors. ... they plow and sand our long hillside driveway.
In many ways I'm a long way removed from your journey, so it struck me funny to hear you were stuck in Dismal Swamp. Anyway, you keep bailing, and I'll keep shoveling. The holidays are upon us and there ain't a d__n thing anyone can do about it except wish each other the very best of everything. Have a happy. John (for me and N'kixw'stn)
__________
Friends; If you will be near Myrtle Beach from 1/15 until 3/15, call us Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Fitz
__________
Evening News 12/20/00
Dateline Coinjock, NC Yes, Coinjock. looks like it sounds. The boat from CO came in behind me. There is a boat from Canada that is headed for Cuba. They were there last year . Said they were treated very well as were boats from the US. It is cold here, snow. Had to shut the stove/heater down do some work on it. Very glad to get to going again. Tomorrow am planning on going across Albermarle Sound. Fifty miles, it will be a long day.
E-mail rec'd
12/21/2000
Rich, Looks as though you found a place I've never heard of. I've been down that sewer before but missed that place. I would be more concerned with floating or half sunken logs as a hazard than the depth of water. Generally the Corps of engineers keeps a good watch on the waterway and has an update letter on the system. Don't remember where you pick one up but i suppose their available from marinas or on the internet. Don't forget a lot of rich folks boats pass that way annually so they pay close attention to conditions in the waterway. We never ran at night because of the logs and ellegal fish traps e.t.c any way, Have a happy Christmas and a safe New Year. We will be off between Christmas an d New Year so I'll be out of the loop till I get back. Be thinking of you, Doug
__________
12/22/2000
Hi Rich; I was hoping by now you might be in Margaritaville, but I guess your still slugging away at the North Carolina swamps in Sturdy Beggar aka (African Queen). I hope you have a good supply of Alligator Milk or a suitable substitute to keep you warm on this unusually cold weekend. Make sure that the Masthead light is bright so Santa can find you. Merry Christmas!!! Dick B
__________
12/23/2000
Hi Dick, I was talking to George the other day and he said you had a web site, so I thought I'd say a quick hello, and wish you a Merry Christmas. Would love to hear about your travels, plans and how things are going down there in the warm area. If you send out a newsletter I'd love to receive it. Again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. G.V.
__________
12/23/2000
hello richard. just trying out a new computer and wanted to say hi. I hope your trip is going great. should be down in some warm weather soon, lucky you. weather here is very cold, and windy. we get through the gear about once a week. price is still cheap for this time of year, just went to 3.75. well have a merry christmas and a safe trip. everybody here is doing fine. goodbye for now, and be careful. good luck. jim bartlett
__________
12/26/2000
Hi Rich: I trust all is well in the warmer climes... Although it looks like a bit of winter weather has moved in down there. We are still here (Blue Hill, ME) but may be able to fly out 1/15 for Beaufort NC then sail to the Bahamas. Where are you at this point? It would be nice to catch up if you are not going too fast for us. Give us a current fix. Fair weather to you... Rick (Cara)
__________
12/27/2000
Dear Richard, I had the pleasure of reading the letter you sent to Mona this x-mas. Very interesting to read about your sailing boat. I am looking forward to see "Sturdy Beggar" when you come to Norway next year. I have seen the information on www.sturdybeggar.com. Things have happened with me the last year. This spring we had a big naval exercise with NATO forces and other countries, it was a PfP exercise (Partnership for Peace) I was asked if I would be a liaison officer with the Swedish amphibious task group. (They can be compared with Navy SEALS) I joined them in Gothenburg to follow them to Kristiansand. They are using 40` FPBs (2x650 HP) Top speed 40 kn+. They even let me drive the boat. After one day we got a terrible storm so we had to stop for 2 days at the east coast of Norway. I had to arrange all the formalities with the Norwegian authorities on behalf of the Swedish navy. All this was a new experience for me, and I will gladly do it again. When I came home I joined our own part of the exercise. I have now got lt. sr. grade. . . . This fall I have been on the cottage nearly every weekend. This is the cottage Douglas bought 30 years ago, and I love the place very much, and I am going to keep it.
Thor.Eickstedt, KRISTIANSAND S, NORWAY
__________
Evening news 12/27/2000
Today the Sturdy Beggar should be leaving Beaufort south of Cape Hatteras and will continue along the Inland Waterway. After experiencing temperatures between 17 & 30 in the Carolinas I am ready to be out of this weather.
__________
Evening News 12/31/2000
Happy New Year everyone! RJO'L
|
|
