It is indeed beautiful here. Only a 45 min drive from PMO airport on a nice highway with the shimmering sea to the right (north) and mountains, or at least big hills, to the left.

Only news was that we had a small bump with the bottom of the Med yesterday after towing out and as they were getting ready to sail. Nothing earthshaking, literally or figuratively. Minor repairs to the bottom of the keel were effected overnight, and Dicko reports they had a great day sailing today including some good practice starts and two-boating with Luna Rossa.

We have a new significant sponsor that will be formally announced Wednesday. It is not exactly a secret, inasmuch as the branding is already displayed on either side of the boat near the stern. It looks neat.

The venue is better than I think everyone was expecting. All seem pretty happy (both within our team and among the others), even those staying on the "Love Boat." That's what the cruise ship on which most of us are staying has, of course, been dubbed. Am headed there now to check in and then grab some dinner. Full report tomorrow. In the meantime...


...as I type this there is a "sanding party" going on outside my container-
office window on the bottom of the keel. All in a day's work for our
outstanding and dedicated shore team.