MartyS

Bless Them All, Bless Them All. The long and short and tall Bless all the authors and editors too, Bless all their helpers and the rest of their crew. Before bitching when they miss a date, Please remember they do not get paid. So give a loud yell of support, Instead of an angry retort. When you ask them to please carry on Say it nicely, and thank them again Bless them all, bless them all.

Thank you Red_A And you also Benji

Benji How do I put a picture on the left side of my posts. You show a smiley with aa halo

Benji I have a question. The small picture which appears on the left when you post(you have a smiley with a halo)How do I get mine to show up?.

Hi CJ Nope - Top Right Picture "Atlantis at Sea"

Hi Benji, First of all, thank you for the kind words of greeting. Please let me give you an explanation regarding my postings. I usually read a story that is being posted, chapter after chapter. When the tale has been completed I return to the beginning and re-read it in its entirety. In the case of Circumnavigation this was not to be. CJ presented a story that I could not put down. In all honesty I wait, and certainly not patiently, for Monday evening at midnight for the next chapter. Just like this evening. Approximately two weeks ago I noticed something and for the first time in my life I posted a comment in the Forum. CJ was kind enough to correspond directly with me. As a result of that contact I began to place further posts. I began to really enjoy myself doing so. I am blessed or maybe cursed with an inquiring mind. I enjoy mysteries and do my best to solve them before the conclusion of the tale. Due to this reading and based on my life’s experience, I have gained some understanding of the investigation of occurrences. Because of something I read in the story, I decided to return to the beginning and read anew Circumnavigation.. In all honesty at that point I was as befuddled as I ever had been. As I continued to do my re-read I could not get a handle on solving the mystery. I reached a chapter in the mid 20’s doing the re-read. At this point something I read kicked me right in the butt. I immediately returned to the Prologue and read it again. Now I admit I may be wrong in my assumptions, but I do not think so. I certainly do not intend to repeat all of the observations and conclusions I have made in previous posts. If you wish to read them I am sure you will discover my opinions. Detective Gonzales annoys me. He is supposed to be a knowledgeable investigator. He has arrived at a correct conclusion regarding the attempted bombing of Trevor’s vessel. Great. However, he appears to be fixated on establishing the guilt of Dirk. I find this to be perplexing. Well, we will have to wait to see what happens, when this chronicle is completed. I am beginning to equate him with Inspector Lestrade. That is not fair I guess. Lestrade never did get anything correct to the best of my recollection. Here we are discussing a fictional story like it was actually happening and we are waiting for tomorrows newspapers to be delivered to keep us up to date. It is almost like you and I are writing letters to the editor.

Hi TalonRider, I am aware of how CJ uses examples. However in this case the vessel pictured does, in at least two of th photographs, dsplay the name Atlantis. Once on the transom and on the portside. IMHO from viewing the pictures, I have arrived at the conlusion, she is Foreign Flagged. The flag on the starboard quarter does not appear to me, to be the United States Ensign.

Hi Jamessavic, Your point regarding WWII nines certainly is a valid one. I would not dispute anything you wrote. If this was advanced as a theory, I would not dispute it was accurate. However, the point of my statements is aimed at the theory advanced by Detective Gonzales. I am certainly not an explosives expert, or even a trained amateur. My direct actual knowledge regarding explosives is limited to hand grenades. In the course of my military training we were taken out to the Grenade Range and after being instructed chucked a few. Part of the instruction included being taught how to use them to increase their efficiency. Once I had completed my military service I did receive instruction regarding explosives. Not on using them, but what to do in the event of a bomb threat. I do read extensively. I remember reading, not to long ago, a story about four teenagers, who used explosives to block a road and repel an attack on them. Based on my understanding of use of explosives, I could not have faulted the author in his description of the use or effect. In fact, I am waiting patiently for that author to continue his present submission to AD. Agreed one bomb could have completely destroyed the Ares. However, when you factor in the radio call, this makes no sense. Then you have Bridget’s description of the scene as the first responder. Big bomb, lots of debris. There would most likely be evidence of an explosion on the remains, scorch marks, stress signs, etc. That is not how she described it. No, my post was directed at the conclusions arrived at by Detective Gonzales. CJ does an excellent job of describing the characters he develops in his stories. He informs his readers of what they think and how they arrived at their position. Gonzales is a conundrum. He quickly arrived at the proper conclusion regarding the attempted bombing of Trevor’s vessel. However, he is hung up on the death of Rachel. I am considering an off the wall, from outer space from CJ. It would not surprise me if Detective Gonzales had previous contact with Rachel. It has been over nine years since Rachel’s disappearance. I wonder how old he was then.

A bomb!!! Does Gonzales (et al) believe a bomb was used to sink the Ares? I can possibly understand him thinking so. However, how could Bridget consider it probable? Let’s consider a basic premise CJ has fashioned for us. Namely a bomb had destroyed the Ares. Apparently the entire the entire law enforcement apparatus involved in the investigation believes it is probable. I would like all to note i am using the word probable as opposed to possible. After all, almost anything is possible. I have been involved with boats during my lifetime. However, my experiences are limited to mono hulled vessels. Reading this story has definitely expanded my knowledge. (I certainly hope CJ is correct in his presenting of information. One thing I do not observe in the photographs of the Atlantis. I do not see the State of Florida’s Vessel Identification numbers displayed near her bow.) Let us examine a major fact. A catamaran, as presented in this yarn, is basically TWO individual vessels joined by a platform. Consider the conversations Trevor was involved in while transiting the Suez Canal. There was mention of a multihulled vessel capsizing and still remaining afloat. Now let us examine the alleged sinking of the Ares. A bomb is supposed to have sent her to Davy Jones’ locker. Huh!!!! Which one of her hulls? Maybe two bombs? Wow!!! Setting off simultaneous detonations!!! Duhhhh!!! OK. Let us factor in the alleged radio transmission. Gonzales believes a bomb destroyed the Ares and Rachel made a radio transmission after it occurred. To quote Bill Cosby, Rightttt. Do none of Florida’s law enforcement agencies have bomb disposal units? According to the story, federal agencies are involved. I would like to think ATF would have been consulted. One statement was made somewhere in this chronicle. It was, “Florida is a boating state.” This may not be an accurate quote, but I believe it is in context. My recollection is someone in law enforcement uttered it. I would like to state I am speaking of the law enforcement authorities as created by CJ, for the purposes of this narrative. We must also factor in the pollution of the facts by George. Gonzales appears to have an interesting thought process. He was capable of seeing through the smokescreen created by Bridget and George regarding the attempted bombing of the Atlantis. However, he apparently has tunnel vision when he examines the circumstances regarding the Ares, Rachel and Dirk. I believe it would be an interesting trial if the judicial system attempted to try Dirk for it. They would have to overcome the fact the other two charges had been dismissed. Then they would have to attempt to convince a jury, using circumstantial evidence, Dirk had killed Rachel. I call to mind a conversation I had with one an attorney a while back. He was an excellent trial lawyer. He had been the chief of the appeals division of a major district attorneys office on the east coast. After doing that for approximately twenty years, he then went into private practice. He became a defense attorney and was involved in many high profile cases. He used to drive his for former colleagues up the wall in the courtroom. He said to me one time, “It is not necessary for me to convince twelve jurors my client is not guilty. All I have to do is convince one.” He went on to explain. If I can convince one juror and he stands solid in the jury room, this will create a hung jury. Prosecutors do not like retrials. The readers of this post should keep this in mind for the future. Many times arrests are not made and cases are not tried because of this factor.

A little follow-up on: Where is Rachel? Why did she leave? Some might suggest she is in a Protected Witness Program. Not likely. Dirk is certainly knowledgeable of the situation. If it were so, he would not be worried about a statue of Limitations. Is she deceased? Again, not likely. I have been doing some thinking about this portion of my post. Perhaps I have been too hasty in reaching my conclusions. A Witness Protection Program is generally operated by a governmental agency. Its purpose is to save from harm witnesses to offences committed by nefarious individuals. Is it not possible that Rachel decided she would rather have her tresses restyled a beautician? After all, what turned out to be Arnold’s final hair styling certainly left a lot to be desired. Think about it. After the creator of this final styling completed her work, she gave him a salt-water shampoo. Brrrr!!!! It is very possible, that Rachel did not consider a rolling pin, wielded by a self-proclaimed amateur to be appropriate. We do know that Rachel had been involved in clandestine activities with Bridget. She may have learned more about Arnold’s and Bridget’s shenanigans. She may have decided to create her own Witness Protection Program, assisted by her husband. So she plays a little game of Musical Boats and sails off into the rising sun. Or, maybe into the selling sun, depending on her chosen course. I think that Ned may be having an official conversation with Officers Fowler and Grundig, shortly after he commences work on Trevor’s vessel.

TalonRiider, Thank you for your clarification. I guess we will both find out when the narrative concludes.

Ahhhh TalonRider…..I find your response ambiguous at best. My immediate thought is: are you doing so deliberately? You of course know for sure. I have classified Circumnavigation as an Adventure/Mystery. In such a genre the author pits himself against the reader. By doings so, the author presents the facts and challenges the reader to solve the mystery before the conclusion of the narrative. In my previous post I wrote that I had been reviewing the Prologue chapter. That declaration is correct. However, I did not say I was rereading all of the previously published chapters to date. While doing so, I began to see the conversations between Dirk and Jim take on a different manner. I began to see that whatever Dirk told Jim, convinced him to agree. Jim agreed the best course was to permit Trevor to continue on his intended course. In my review I am convinced the Dirk is really afraid of what Trevor might find. Why? To keep Trevor away from Bimini. It is my opinion the Ares did not sink on/or about May 19th, 1997. Based on that premise, Ares is not sitting on the bottom, waiting to be found at that location. Therefore, Trevor could not find Ares. Dirk is very worried about Trevor’s well being. Something Dirk knows that he is concerned about. Dirk is also waiting for the Statue of Limitations to expire. Trevor does not know about the Statue of Limitations. All Trevor knows is that Dirk has promised to tell him in December. Dirk has already attempted to get Trevor to agree to be in Australia in December. This was prior to the problems, which led Trevor to decide on making a circumnavigation. OK, Trevor is in Australia and the tale continues. If Trevor was in Australia, might he not be safer when Dirk opens up. Keeping in mind, Dirk does not know about Bridgets involment and plans. Lets examine this Statue of Limitations business. Whatever offense was committed by Dirk was not a Capitol one. This rules out Murder. It also rules out Espionage and Treason. I had considered those because of the references to NASA in the Prologue. (BTW there was an actual launch on May 15th, 1997. One proof that CJ does his research.) So, back to my original statement about you’re being ambiguous. All of us know that CJ is a sneak of the first water. (Meant as a compliment.) He will do everything possible to mislead his devoted readers. I was attempting to raise the issue that CJ did not state the Ares had sailed. What he wrote was that Rachel had sailed. Your comments use the pronoun “she.” “She” could refer to either Rachel or the Ares. Please for my edification, define for me, which you are referring to. One other thing is jiggling in my mind. Sort of perking along. If you take into consideration the following established information: a. The Ares had a major overhaul. This included new engines. b. The Atlantis was purchased without having a name. c. Bridget switches names on the Sea Witch like I change my socks. (No comments, please.) d. Trevor could not get the Kookaburra above 10 knots, but recalls getting above 14 while out with his mother on the Ares. e. Trevor was eight years of age when last he sailed with his mother on the Ares. f. Trevor has gotten the Atlantis to 15 knots. g. While the Ares did have an overhaul, nothing has been mentioned about Atlantis having one. h. Atlantis may have belonged to Trevor when he was eight years of age, but, how old was he when he first captained her solo. It is my opinion the CJ would do anything possible to misdirect his readers, including playing Musical Boats. While CJ doth protest adamantly he does not use cliffhangers, I, along with many others have out own opinions.

I have been doing some looking over the Prolouge. Something came to my attenton. Nowhere in that chapter doe it say the Ares sailed from Nassau. What it does say is Rachel sailed. Think about it, Would CJ ne devious enough to lead us all down th garden path from the git-go

LETS STIR THE POT. (I love this) First of all let us look at Bridget’s opinion that Gonzalez is a poor investigator. I have to agree with her. Not only him, but also the entire law enforcement establishment in the Florida area. (According to the story.) It is Gonzalez’s theory that Dirk destroyed the Ares with a bomb. This is his hypothesis, which was backed up by the criminal justice system, when they voted for an indictment. For the sake of argument lets say Dirk did do what Gonzalez believes. . A bomb going off would have most likely rendered the Ares into many pieces. A large number of them would float. Other items would float. (Lifejackets, the zodiac, etc.) The engines would have dropped like a rock taking any attached portions of the hull with them. There would have been a hell of a debris field for any search to discover. There is no mention of this. There was a partial radio call received. Realistically it had to be a female voice received. Now, Dirk would have had to involve a second party for this to have happened. Gonzalez’s case comes apart here. If a bomb had been used, there would have been no time to make a radio call. If a radio call was made, that indicates a very large portion of the vessel was afloat. The call said taking water. It is difficult for me to imagine the caller not saying something about an explosion. Gonzalez wants to prosecute Dirk for murder. Without an explanation of the radio call he is up s**t’s creek. He had used the attempted bombing of the Atlantis to bolster his original case. That is fair, but weak. The minute the attempted bombing of the Atlantis is disproved officially, he is back to square one with the Ares. Dirk does not want Trevor searching for the Ares. Why? If the vessel is there, it is either complete and was sunk using sufficient weight to take here down. That would have involved a conspiracy with Rachel and most likely others. If the vessel was bombed, I refer you back to paragraph 2. IMHO the Ares sailed away. MY early thoughts were she was hidden in the Bahamas and that was why Dirk wanted to keep Trevor away from the area. If he found the Ares this would be one thing. However, if he found nothing, that is a whole different kettle of fish. Is the Ares in Australia? Well, that is possible, maybe even probable. She could not have left immediately. Too much attention to a missing catamaran being broadcast. She would have had to hole up and be disguised. I suppose she could have been hoisted aboard a ship and transported, but that is almost impossible to consider. Where is the Ares? Well, There were only 20 Lagoon 55’s built. How many Lagoon 57’s were built I do not know. It is unlikely the number would have been large. According to the story there is only nine inches of overall length between the two classes. The primary differences, according to Trevor are primarily cosmetic on the exterior. So, lay her up, conform her exterior to a Lagoon 57 appearance. After she gets to Carnarvon Ned does a makeover of her interior, knowing nothing about her history.. There are additional problems with this as were outlined in the most recent chapters. If she were soloed, in what was basically the half of a circumnavigation, the local yachting community would have been talking about it. Therefore, Rachel would not have been alone. What route. Well there is the Suez or the Panama Canal. To many records kept, unless they also ginned up papers. So is it either the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn. Neither of these is a paddle trip on lake in the local park. I have a problem with either of the latter. If she is in Australia, it is probably the former. Where is Rachel? Why did she leave? Some might suggest she is in a Protected Witness Program. Not likely. Dirk is certainly knowledgeable of the situation. If it were so, he would not be worried about a statue of Limitations. Is she deceased? Again, not likely. Keep in mind, Trevor only wound up in Carnarvon accidentally. It was not on his intended itinerary. He should have never been anywhere near the Kookaburra. I have some thoughts that Martin Blake might be related to her and the marriage is a sham. Without a divorce anything else would be an offense. There is no doubt in my mind that Mrs. Blake has overall control of the Kookaburra. Well I have had my say for now. Only CJ and his merry band of conspirators, (disguised as editors, etc.) know the truth.

Hmmmmmmmmmm Interesting I Googled “Cabra Borracho Wikipedia” I auto translated and lightly skimmed the first listing 1. Sileno - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre - [ Translate this page ] - I would use the following keywords for the article Goat Horney Drunken Satyr etal etc

Google says Thanksgiving Day in Australia is in May. However, the next day is a Thursday. Thanksgiving Day, in the US as we all should know, is on a Thursday. What is in that package?

Lets stir the pot Statue of Limitations I have been thinking about something since early on in this story. The subject of my musings is this Statue of Limitations being discussed. Depending on the Jurisdiction (Federal, State, etc), and the offense committed the length of the protection varies. One thing however generally stands. If the defendant absents or conceals him or herself from the locality, THE CLOCK STOPS. Now our two fugitives are running from the current charges. There has been an indictment filed. That case will stand until they are caught. Based on all information available, most of these charges are going to be dismissed. The only charge remaining would be the murder of Rachel. I am assuming she is still alive. So no murder charge. The offense I believe, considering all information and the statements made by Dirk, will consist of fraud and theft charges. This will be based on his receiving monies from life and other insurance. IMHO HE NEEDS A BETTER LAWYER. Boat Identification Based on the story, the Kookaburra, is a Lagoon 57. Our authority is Trevor. How did he arrive at this? He looked at the Kookaburra. He observed visible features. However, the vessel has received extensive modifications. Other interesting particulars Mr. Blake say’s he is a school chum with Foster. Is there not an axiom regarding the “Old School Tie?” Mrs. Foster bakes Lemon Key Pies. Mr. Blake declined to commit to the charter until his wife agreed. However, she didn’t come and look Trevor over. I wonder if Rachel had any brothers. Now lets look at Sanchez’s mysterious hit man. He most probably needs a good cover. Freelance reporters are not tied down to a location or one employer. This might not bode well for Shane. After all he is the blonde aboard the Kookaburra.

BTW, the chapter promised for today will be appearing today, barring an internet access outage. I have 2 questions: What is your time zone? What is the name of the new chapter? Thank you BTW DID ANYONE NOTICE HOW QUIET THE FOREM IS THIS WEEK?

Great Story. Thank you. Lets see now! Officers Fowlers wife + Key Lime Pie = Florida I wonder how long she has been in Australia