Erik is packed!

Erik will be leaving on Saturday to join MOKUM in Port aux Basque Nfld. He will be taking the satelite phone (if all goes well tomorrow) and we can expect more regular updates from that point on. At present, MOKUM is in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence as much as 500 miles from any cell phone relay so it isn't surprising that we haven't heard from them for a few days. Don't dispair, they'll get there!

Where's MOKUM?

I haven't had contact with Pieter's cell phone for 2 days. Not unexpected as they are in the Gulf and likely well out of range. If anyone has info please call me and I'll update here for everyone else. I imagine they will pull into a port in the next 24 hours or so (perhaps in Gaspe). Weather has been good so don't expect any problems for them whatsoever.

Martin

Sagenay

I spoke to the skipper yesterday afternoon and they were well on their way to Sagenay. Elmer has left and took the train/bus??? to Montreal and back home to Hoorn. He is replaced by Rainer who flew to Quebec.

The going will be a bit tougher now as the river is very tidal below Quebec. When I spoke to Jan Pieter, they were motoring against the tide and making about 4 knots.

No photos this time. Hopefully, they will send some when they get the satelite phone at Port aux Basques next weekend.

Montreal

having a bit of trouble with these postings so some things are a bit out of phase (text vs. photos) but you get the idea.

In Montreal we had the Loopers come aboard for a visit with their lovely little girls. Then we enjoyed the Montreal version of the Symphony of Fire.


Tomorrow, (Friday) MOKUM will reach Quebec City and Elmer will finally have a chance to do some touring as they wait for Rainer (who will carry on to St. John's) to join them.



Along the way to Montreal we were entertained one morning with rowing club from Brockville.






Martin enjoyed an amazing breakfast specially prepared by Pim - I ordered, he delivered - an amazing chef!

the photos of MOKUM were taken by Mike and Jan Hutchinson as we entered the 1,000 islands on Sunday afternoon. We had a great morning in Kingston visiting with Mike and Jan and Fred Charlene Shiedel who had travelled all the way to Kingston to wish us well (they missed us at the departure party by just a few minutes!)



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The ride from Stoney Creek to Kingson was a fabulous spinnaker run. Peter Tietz accompanied us to instruct us in the use of his "wind vane" autopilot. He also provided a great deal of humour. We covered the 165 nautical miles in 25 hours!!


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The Sunday afternoon cruise through the 1000 Islands was spectacular with a gentle spinnaker run, afternoon lighting and a beautiful clear sky.





When we got to Montreal we had a visit from Lisa and Carl Looper and their daughters who delighted in the tour of MOKUM complete with lessons on binocular use, steering practice and going in and out of the companionway. Mom and Dad were kind enough to donate a case of our favourite flavour.

By Thursday night (tonight) MOKUM is in Trois Rivieres after a fabulous sail (with NO locks to slow her down). The crew is doing well and are very happy. Elmer is pretty sunburned and he and Pim have had a couple of rough nights battling mosquitos but they are having a great time.

Mary and Martin returned to Kitchener today to return to the humdrum real world for a week or two.

Montreal

I received a call late last night that Mokum had arrived in Montreal. Dad (Martin) is getting off the boat there, and coming home to work for a week before flying to St. John's (with David Meijer) for the crossing mid-July. I am sure he will update the blog when he gets home to tell how the adventure has been so far from the boat.

For those who have asked, the boat will have a satellite phone from St. John's to Amsterdam. During that time, the crew is hoping to be able to update the blog themselves from Mokum, so we can all follow the adventure.

Ahead of schedule!

The sailing so far has been mainly downwind, so the crew flew the spinnaker for much of the day. Weather has been great- some were even in for a swim today (although it was chilly). They have been through 3 locks, and tonight, they are anchored just past Cornwall (north of tiny "Hamilton Island").

For those who missed the Record article on Saturday (or are not in the KW area), here is a link to see the article about the trip. http://www.therecord.com/home_page_front_story/home_page_front_story_1080408.html

The crew is hoping to arrive in Montreal tomorrow or Wednesday morning. Will continue to keep you posted!