EMYR
Sunday 8th June 2008
(First day in Ashkelon (Israel).

Where can I start? Israel is great place for us to be.

On approaching Haifa we were met by several Israel Navy boats. These guys look and sound the part as well, so everyone answered their questions politely and there were no undue problems. On the day we arrived we had a barbeque dinner with local yacht club members and the second evening we were invited by an Israel family to have dinner in their home. Sue & I joined up with Mary & Helmut (s/y Lady B) and were picked up by Shimon, who drove us to their home, where we met his wife Aviva. We feel highly privileged to join these lovely people in their home and our hosts are very generous people. We joined in the organised tours visiting Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, Acco and eating in a kibbutz. All the people we have met in Israel far are very friendly indeed.

We left Haifa yesterday evening before dark, on passage to Ashkelon, heading some 85 miles or so to the south, overnight. It was a good sail until about midnight needing us to go on the donk for about five hours during the early part of the morning. When we arrived in the marina we were met with local musicians and draught beer. Wonderful indeed! Groups one & two were soon to be bamed for consuming the beer before everyone had finished berthing. (There is now a wanted poster for "The person who drunk all the beer" allegedly!) No sleep overnight plus several beers between late morning and early afternoon makes Alan a sleepy, happy man so, like most others I very easily and involuntarily, slept in our cockpit from two 'till six! Tomorrow we have an organised tour to visit the Dead Sea so there is sure to be most people making lots of Z's on the bus!

Fishing News................
We overheard Kristin (s/y Rumpus) saying they caught a big tuna during their night sail. This evening Sue & I ate fresh tuna, kindly donated by Christina & Joe (s/cat Zea) who caught two tuna one the one passage. They have two lovely daughters Cassandra and Juliana, as well as two friends Larson and Gabriel, on their yacht and despite having so many people they unselfishly and generously give fresh tuna to others. Boy, are we lucky to be in the right place at the right time when there is fresh tuna about because our first fish is becoming a big investment!

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

PS: David is still having engine problems on s/y Mashona. When they arrived today most of the beer was gone. Good job Kath, Gwyn and Mandy are very patient people!