Below is a link to a web-page that tells of one sailors experience in Samoa at the time of the recent tsunami. The tale is both wonderful and tragic but is written in a straightforward and gripping way. I think it should be widely read, so I am [linking to it here](http://www.sail-world.com:80/UK/Gripping-sailors-tale-of-the-Samoa-Tsunami—and-the-lessons/61866).
I can’t say that I hope you enjoy it because it’s not that sort of article. But it will make you think.
Today it was announced that Dutch authorities have taken into care a thirteen-year-old girl who wants to be the youngest person to sail solo around the world. What business is it of social services (or the Dutch equivalent)? I don’t condone parents sending children off to take part in dangerous activities, to live their own dreams through their children, but if the child has the necessary skills then why shouldn’t they attempt something like this?
Today was supposed to be the day that friends and family came to look at the new[1] boat. Because we’ve not been sailing long everyone has been quite excited for us. It took us the best part of two months to get the boat ‘home’, and because everyone was so keen to see it we decided to hold a ‘pontoon party’ where they could all gather on the dock, look at the boat and enjoy alcohol and some chips and dip, olives, canapes, whatever. Some people didn’t confirm, some people cancelled, some people had other plans… so we called it off.
That was a bad start to the day; plans made for weeks were thrown out. What to do? Well, …
It’s official, we’re now boat owners! As of about 5pm today ownership of "Kooshty", a Trintella 29 transfered to us, well, it’s in my name, by she’s ours.
The weekend of the August bank-holiday was, as it usually is at the Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club, the date for the RNLI regatta. “Aeolus IV” took part in races all three days, here are details of our escapades.