W. H. AUDEN

I was an english major during my college years. At some point during that time W. H. Auden came to URI and spent several days. He came to my classes. I had tea with him. I was able to spend time with a man I thought a great deal of. I liked his poetry, listening to him recite his own works was a joy. He was no less engaging a conversationalist

I feel fortunate to have had that small moment in my life.

No Ocean for old men

Imagine us telling the spaniards that our three finalists are bugs baern steve lirakis and dumoulin- ages 77,62 and 63! You and bug baer had twice the ocean experience as anyone else. Also twice the average age of everyone! we went for the midrange 30-50. apparently you and I and Rich du Moulin and Rich Wilson are now the eminent greybeards of the club's distance racers:

Carravaggio in Malta

Carravaggio fled to Malta in 1608. As everywhere he went, he left his mark. The collection of the Cathedral of St. John in Valletta of his paintings is one of the finest I have ever seen. In the last 25 years I have gone to every exhibit of Carravaggio I could; each with a tale of it's own.

Carravaggio was dubbed a knight by the time he left Malta, depending on which version you read, leaving behind some of the most visceral, powerful paintings I have ever seen. A man with such self destructive talent.

VIRGINIE HERIOT

Things in life occur at the most unexpected times. Virginie Heriot, the first woman to win an Olympic medal(1928) sailing 8 metres. A new book published this year about her, and I find in a flea market a medallion struck at her death in 1932.

burning chap six meter evening

Burning chap at Jesse Smith's of "Totem" this evening. The weather cooperated nicely and many familiar faces were surrounding the bonfire hoping to cook marsh mellows on a stick.

Onne van der wal showed his outstanding photographs of the 6 and 12 meter championships.

Tony Widmann announced plans for an overall trophy for the coming season, which he is generously donating. All in an attempt to keep the class alive and active.

Toby Rodes spoke briefly, poking the embers of the class as well.

trellis in Paris

My luggage to Paris was mostly comprised of wood. I had taken careful measurements previously and then laboriously created the trellis that now is installed on the terrace in Paris. I even had to make the bags to carry it.

more Carina memories, the big mouth frog.

In 1971, I was preparing "Carina" for another trans-atlantic crossing to Cowes for the Admiral's Cup. "Carina" was again part of the 3 boat team representing the United States.

I had "Carina" tied to the dock at Indian Harbour Yacht Club; a man approached me saying he had these things, cold light, recently invented by him, and he was not yet sure what they would be useful for. He gave me some for the trip asking if I/we could provide feedback to him about possible uses.

As we all know today cylume is so big and commonplace that no one probably asks where they came from or when.

During the crossing, we mostly played with them, for amusement. I did use one while working on a leak in the compressor for the refrigeration, but really because it was available.

CARINA

This weekend at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club will be a reunion of as many "Carina" crew as can be rounded up to recount their memories of sailing on perhaps the most famous boat in ocean racing.

I joined the crew of "Carina" in 1969 quite by chance. I was meant to sail on a different boat for the Trans-Atlantic race that year to Ireland. Plans changed and I was recommended to speak to Dick Nye about the possibility of finding a berth on another boat. He suggested I come for lunch to meet and discuss possibilities.

I had been in an automobile accident during the winter and had broken my leg. The cast was still on as I hitchhiked to New York City from the University Of Rhode Island in the snow for lunch.

I never imagined that Richard would call asking me to join "Carina" and the life-long friends that event would create.

More Malta

The photograph of the street, stairs, bridge and tunnel emphasize the many layers that comprise Malta.

The puff of smoke is the start of the race.

The photograph of "Rosebud" with only a stump of a mast demonstrates the pitfalls this race hides in a climate that is mild and sunny, not far from the coast of Africa.

MALTA and the middle sea race

How do I reduce the image of Malta into a few photographs? .

I was here for the Middle Sea race ( see the blog of the race :http://www.tripsailor.com/blogs/2667-blog-rolex-middle-sea-race-2009) and had to try to stay focused on that. Even preparing the boat as the sun moved across the sky my impressions of Malta were ever changing.

I never was able to see more of the island country than going to and from the boat, which left me yearning to see and understand more.