Ahoy, maties - Or is that "mateys"? Oh, bother! We're currently just 100 miles from land. According to our Captain, we're in danger of being carried off by the currents toward Wales and Brighton, in which case we'd miss our landing, or of being swept off by the currents to the south, and ending up in France! That is, IF we were swept past the dangerous rocks of the Scilly Isles, and not onto them; many mariners have not been that lucky. We're also trying to dodge all the ship traffic - it's supposed to be the busiest such area in the world! - and when we spot ships, we've made a game of trying to guess their destination and home port. Thusfar, these ships have all been quite a distance from us. He's put up our largest sail, which is red - and while there is a light on top of our mast, he's occasionally flashing a flashlight onto the sail, hoping to give ships a visual clue we're sharing the shipping lane with them. (He was very affected when that ship couldn't see us on their radar, and almost ran us down. He lives in fear that there will be a repeat. But why a red sail, not a white? Another small mystery. But then, that's why he's the captain, and we're just passengers of a sort.) He snorted when I offered to hang Christmas lights on the rigging, so I put them along the rim of the dinghy, and have used the oars as a sort of Christmas tree. It's perfectly delightful. (He also rejected the idea of a huge green bow on top of the red sail; he just doesn't have the Christmas Spirit quite yet.) . We heard from the Coast Guard at Land's End today, but the communication was quite weak. Perhaps tomorrow it will be better - and it's a comfort to know they know we're here. . Trouble is, we've hit rain squalls while nearing England - and fog seems to be hugging the coast. The dogs and I have been practicing Carols at the top of our lungs, since Gerry said it was almost as good as a fog horn. Guess he noted the wavering top notes we've been hitting! (Koko's voice has been called "piercing". And she's such a ladylike, little dog.) The lute hasn't responded well to moisture - it thunks instead of tinkles, which makes it almost sound like a bass. So we'll join the rhythm section of whatever band is on hand at the grand ball - if we have a grand ball. . Can't wait to see what Jayne M. will be wearing. And as Mistress Agnes dresses spectacularly, it will be a decolletage delight. (Not to mention those red feathered boas of which we've heard.) What will the Mistresses Jan be wearing?? . During the voyage over I've been sitting on a lovely, plump pillow, formed by my ball dress folded into a protective bag; one shake, and it will look ravishingly radiant. Just wait til you see my rainbow underskirts!! Exactly the thing in which to dance the night away with Ed - hopefully, he's practiced a bit and neither of us will trod on the other's toes. Of course, there's someone else with whom I wish to trip the light fantastic - . I've taken the liberty of getting in touch with one of my "brick walls"; John Thomas, baptized in 2 Dec 1790 in Redruth, who married Eleanor EVA 20 Sept., 1815 at Camborne, has accepted my invitation to join our merry little group. Perhaps he can shed some light on WHICH William Thomas in the 1841, 1851, and 1861 censuses was his son. I've promised him some of that wonderful brew Albert has stowed onboard the Zodiak as an extra perk; hope it makes the voyage well - and there is some left for the party. Adieu - Julianna West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell