Hey bernie,

...sounds like your cruise to Newfoundland gets put off yet again, eh? (grin)

C'mon, dude - you've got the perfect boat for it, and the perfect girl, now all you need to find is the TIME...

Anyway, congrats to you and Kate, I'm sure it will pay off in the long run - sounds like a win/win for both you, and Valiant...

One thing I have realized since the economy tossed my savings and livelihood in the dumpster, it's freed me up to simply go off cruising in a way I never would have expected... Gone are the dreams of a bigger boat, the reality is that I'll have to "run with what I brung" - as they say in NASCAR... Downsizing and simplifying both your horizons, and hardware, is the only way most folks our age are gonna be able to manage to go cruising for the forseeable future - namely, in our lifetimes... The sooner the vast majority of us ordinary folk accept that, the better...

Glad to hear business is booming, but don't let it keep you from sailing, hear? (grin)

Best to Kate, and best regards,

Jon