New York, New York

We had four amazing days in NY and coming from the confines of the boat, it was even more of a contrast. Night one was pre-wedding drinks on the roof top of the brides family house in central NY - what a view. Night two was the rehearsal dinner in central Manhattan at an Italian restaurant for 70. The wedding itself was upstate NY, at a private venue on a huge lake overlooking some mega pads. There was a small boat which took the guests for rides across the lake to check out the palaces surrounding us. Sam topped off the night by performing a terrible break dancing routine after a few too many on the dance floor.

We stayed out in Brooklyn , which was meant to be the 'up and coming district'. Not too sure who coined that one, but most of it looked pretty run down. However, we did find a brilliant greasy spoon cafe opposite us that served a good cwoffee, eggs over easy with friend ham, for the morning after. Next stop Cork!

The North Sea - longest 4 days of my life

I was told that the North Sea could be rough, but we were seriously thrown around for four days. We had a few hours of calm from time to time, which alllowed a bit of mackerel fishing, or a quick swim (why would you do that in 14 degrees, with a polar wind behind you??). The boat was constantly heeling at 45 degrees, so it was pretty hard to move around, let alone cook dinner or shower, so that didn't happen for a few days. No one slept for four days apart from the odd hour we could catch in between night watches. We had some nice suprises though - dolphins and a whale following the boat at night and I finally feel that I'm learning how to sail. A real experience, but not to be repeated. Some photos and clips from the journey - these were taken during calm seas....