EMYR
Thursday 5th June 2008
(On passage Beirut/Juneih (Lebanon) towards Haifa (Israel).

It's a dark dark night. Half two in the morning and until now the VHF has been buzzing. From Lebanon, we've had a series of instructions from Oscar Charlie, then Oscar Sierra (describing themselves as the 'Lebanon Authorities' ordering us 12 mile offshore (outside their territorial waters). Then there's a UN naval warships, as well as a USA warship, whose officers question local commercial traffic, followed by the Israel Navy. On top of all of this there has been heavy traffic between rally leaders, group leaders and rally yachts, mostly caused by the new orders given by Oscar Charlie & Oscar Sierra. Right now the VHF has gone berserk because it seems everyone's GPS is defunct. We suspect the GPS signals may be getting blocked somehow for a while. People are questioning the unseen Israel warships with "How can we aim to meet specific waypoints when our GPS systems are not operating satisfactory". They are answering "Be patient". In the meantime.............. gee it's flipping dark tonight!

The Rally yachts were sent to two different harbours in Lebanon. Groups one to four went to Jounieh, as previously planned. Groups five & six, plus the cat's needed to go to Solidaire marina, in the district of St George, down-town Beirut. All's well that ends well!
Arranged tours took most people to visit Byblos, Jeita Grotto, Baalbec and Anjar. We had a really good Dinner as guests of the excellent Jounieh Yacht Club. The French cuisine was an unexpectedly pleasant change to the regular 'Mezzie' we have been getting used to!

Unlike us, some people have been catching fish! We understand Zea have an overflowing freezer. We know Eirene's freezer is full to capacity because we did a wine/fish steak swap! Silent Wings is still catching and David (s/y Mashona) have claimed the honour of 'the biggest fish which got away'! As for us, we catch the odd bag-fish and they are totally unpalatable.

Before leaving Beirut, a BIG Stinkpot moored at the end of the line of EMYR yachts. It was quite an exhibition when a helicopter on her aft deck. At the same time people on Sweet Baby Jane were working hard to save their yacht when it unexpectedly sprung a leak. A thru' hull fitting failed and the day was saved when a decent enough bung was rammed hard into the hole in their hull, just before she started to really sink! This is an experience not to be repeated.

Best wishes and regards to all our friends.
Sue & Alan
s/y Ticketeeboo.

PS: Special mention for our friends on Indigo. Lesley is recovering from a bad dose of the trots and Dick is trying his best not to mix up his p's & b's. Carol loves shopping in Giants and Gus has been enjoying visiting museums in Lebanon (for a change).