C James

Ah, but you're forgetting; though Atlantis has now left Australia, much of the story occurred there, and the Australians used an inverted calendar, which thus runs backwards at times. And surely, as thanks to Australia for being the setting for so much of the story, we should use their mathematics for the chapter numbering? There have been many times that I've wished that I had completed this prior to posting; to make sure the details match up. There have been a few times when I've wished I could go back and change something.

Atlantis has a long voyage ahead, but much like when she crossed the Atlantic, it passes very fast for us. Interesting idea on the Navy... that would indeed put a crimp in Bridget's "welcoming committee" in Panama. She's planning on giving him such a warm welcome, too. Thanks Mike! But you might be a bit early, or late. The prologue, plus chapter 1 and 2, posted on Nov 29th, 2009, so it's coming up on 2 years ago. I started writing it over the summer, if I remember right. And BTW, don't you man chapter M7? (Remember, we were an Aussie maths for a while, but then when we translated back, we ended up with alphanumerics).

If I had unlimited funds and resources, and was heading into pirate waters, I'd outfit a boat like Atlantis with one of the 16 inch gun turrets from the Iowa class battleships. I'd have nothing to fear from pirates then - they'd never got to me on the bottom of the sea, where all that weight would take me very quickly. And who doesn't?

You won't have long to wait to find out. The next chapter answers that question with no doubt. As for my definition of a cliffhanger, I'm very good at spotting them (even though I never ever use them). My entire team and I carefully scrutinize each and every chapter, ever alert for any hint of a cliffhanger, thus allowing them to be avoided or fixed.

Totally agreed; when I'm using adhesives, I make sure the surface is clean. Under a boat for these purposes, I'd also prep the surface with course-grit sandpaper, totally agreed on that. We don't know what the diver did, specifically, because we only have Gray's abbreviated recount to Bridget, plus a few words by the diver himself. The good news, from their point of view, is they are dealing with a lateral sheering force, so all they need to do is stop the sheer plane from slipping. The diver was pressed for time and in fear; those waters are home to salty crocs. (there's a sizable population of them in Trinity Inlet). Did he take the needed care? We don't know. He'd also have a fear of Gray if he didn't, so could have gone either way. The next chapter... has a lot happening. Bluey tends to just blurt stuff out. I think Fowler might have been tempted to reconsider by that "old and fat" comment. If he put the epoxy on properly, it'd stay put. If it didn't it probably wouldn't. It would, though, be IMHO an incongruous stroke of good luck if the bombs just fall off. I'll be honest, one of the reasons I picked the 30-06 is the same reason I picked all the other gun types in this and other stories; I prefer using ones I either own or at least use a lot. For taking out an engine block, I prefer the 30-06, due to the greater propellant load (longer cartridge) and using the 180 grain bullet as a benchmark, you get 200FPS more velocity out of the 30-06 (2700 vs. 2500). It's a small difference though. I've never fired Teflon tipped, I use the hard bronze or steel-cored in the main, though a friend of mine made some hollow-point loads for the 30-06 that I find super useful for trimming high tree branches around my house, and also for getting holly out of oaks. I agree on the .50 cal, that would be ideal. If I were to ever try sailing around the world or in dangerous areas, I'd probably go with a .50 cal, plus a couple of Makarov pistols for close range needs. (I'm very partial to some of the Russian guns for durability.) That's the thing in a pirate attack; if the target boat can keep the bad guys from closing the range, it wins, so I'd much prefer to have one 30-06 or .50 cal to a boatload of AKs. Of course, I'd much prefer a Ma Deuce to either, but those are kinda hard to get. ************************* Okay, time to announce the next chapter name: FULL CIRCLE CJ

The bomb is rigged to use the main mast as an antenna. They they didn't take that down (it's about 80 feet tall). Sorry, but at least one of the boats is rigged to blow.

It's very problematic... they need to do something soon, but what? Even if they are alerted, any signs that they are searching for a bomb, and kaboom.

But no cliffhangers, there never are in my stories! The title came from the saying "Parting is such sweet sorrow".

Benji!!! This is not a cliffhanger!! There is absolutely zero danger of either boat being imploded! I can prove it; implosion use of explosives to collapse something in upon itself, such as the core of plutonium-fuel bomb, or a building being demolished, etc. The bombs we know have been planted would do no such things; they would explode the boats, not implode them. See? Nothing to worry about; there's no risk of an implosion. Here's a bathymetric map of the area. I'm safe and sound in the high mountains of Arizona. And of course, nowhere near a cliff. Now you know I'd never go anywhere near a cliff. I think "hints" is an excellent term! It's just subtle foreshadowing of possible future happenings. In the current chapter, the story could have ended with a bang. But it didn't - thanks to Bridget. And no worries, no underwater cliffs. Remember, they are in the southern hemisphere, so everything is upside down. ACK!! Goat roasting? Yipes... But it was a nice, relaxing ending; the two boats sailing off together... Bridget is indeed resourceful. And absolutely, this entire novel will be entirely cliffhanger-free! Who? Me?

As we all know, I'd never use a cliffhanger. ../..//public/style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif Atlantis is on her way home now. Unless she turns back. The tracking device is absolutely on Atlantis. It was planted in Brisbane. As for the bombs... did they goof and put them on the wrong one? We find out in the next chapter. It's all up to Bridget. Mountain goat? Well... I do live on a mountain, 7000 feet above sea level. But, the notion that a goat, even a mountain goat, would have anything to do with a cliff is just malicious rumor and slander, backed by faked evidence. BTW, this chapter can be read without worries; it has a nice, relaxing ending. But... It's not up to me. I've got no say in what happens. This is all Bridget's fault, so what happens next is up to Bridget, Gray, Trevor, and Shane. Absolutely nowhere near a cliff. Great point on the epoxy. I should have made that clearer. Epoxy is catalytic; it's formed by a thermochemical reaction when the two components are combined. Some forms work just fine in water. Here's one example; It's a putty; you knead it to mix it, and it sets in 15 miniutes. It's for marine use, works fine underwater. So, apply some putty to the flexboard, press it against the hull underwater, hold for a few miniutes, and it's done. It's be fully set by the time they sailed. And thank you for seeing that there was no cliffy!! ../..//public/style_emoticons/default/worshippy.gif You are quite right; several times in this story, trouble has been indicated by frogs. Perhaps a certain Tennessee Cliffhanger Chirping Frog is responsible? Hrmm, that's the relevant quote. But what comes after the frogs? The soft, gentle lapping of bubbling waters. What could be more relaxing than that? Irony? Me? ../..//public/style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif

Thanks! This chapter answered a lot of questions though. One of them was about the locks; we now know the cause of their sticking, and thus that Trevor's plan to treat them with graphite will work. So, the locks will be fine. Thanks! Cairns gave Shane a lot of closure. He needed that. Cliff? You know there aren't any cliffs, or cliffhangers, in Circumnavigation! It's just a hundred pounds or so of high explosive. Nothing to worry about. True, she's evil, but in this case, she saved them all. For now anyway. The story could have ended with a bang as they left Cairns.

Sometimes the hints were subtle... mixed into a relaxing scene like the sounds of the night mixing into a gentle evening. BTW, if not for Bridget, both boats would have been blasted to bits leaving Cairns. You're right; absolutely positively no cliffhangers. Even Wildone agrees; Sailing is so relaxing, isn't it? That's why I ended the chapter with the two boats at sea. What could be more relaxing than that?

Chapter 139: Sweet Sorrow (Here's a link to google maps, centered on the areas in the chapter, because I know some of you are like me, and love to follow along and see the areas they are in.) Joy, confusion, chaos and delight. Trevor’s emotions ran the gamut as he tore aboard Kookaburra, followed by Shane, with Trevor making a beeline for his mother’s welcoming arms. Amidst a clamor of happy voices, friends and family reuniting, Shane seized his chance to thank Greg Fowler for interveni

Sweet Sorrow is up! (it might take up to a minute after this post to appear). Please let me know what you think be it good, bad, or mixed. Also, there's a lot in this chapter that hints at what's to come. Also please note; the google map linked at the chapter top is interactive, so you can zoom it around to look at various spots or different areas. if you like, I think this chapter answers many questions. Some things going on have only been hinted at in prior chapters, now we see them explained. CJ

Me too; they've been a huge part of my life for two years now. You're absolutely right; no cliffhangers here! Gray was smiling... but maybe he was just reacting sentimentally to the joy he was seeing? They weren't all that close, plus the croc was basking. Trevor wouldn't think anything of being twenty feet from a basking alligator, and I've been far closer to a basking fifteen footer in the Everglades. Plus, it's either crocs or tourists, so they chose the crocs. They have some interesting times ahead. She's adept at pulling strings and commanding from afar. Thanks!!! I think the next chapter (posting in a couple of minutes) should explain much. CJ Cliffie? What cliffie? I never, ever use those!!

It's going to get a bit... hrmmm... challenging.

Cliffhangers? But that could never be... I never, every use cliffhangers.

Cruel and abusive bastard? You mean Trevor? Joel and Lisa will be back... right now, they are probably still being yelled at. Don't worry about the explosives... maybe Gray just likes having them around? The story ends long before the eclipse. One of the reasons that was there was just to let people know about it.

I'll fix that, thank you! BTW, I also added you to the credits for this chapter. Thanks!!! Shane definitely had closure in Cairns for some old issues. We don't know that there's anything truly bad on Atlantis... though, how was Gray able to climb up and watch her come in; it's as if he knew her exact time of arrival in advance. And, of course, nothing to worry about. If Trevor just uses the graphite like he says, the locks will be fine, no worries. Thanks! Chapters have to end somewhere. Unfortunatly, I'm a slow typist. At least it was a happy ending, everyone smiling, even Gray, who rarely smiles. I'll admit to having tears in my eyes when I wrote the cemitary scene, and then laughing aloud when the log yawned. You got it right. I had to be careful in the narration when the boats parted back off Geraldton; because they would meet again. It was this suprise that Trevor twigged to when he said he didn't think Kline or Fowler were telling him everything. He didn't know what, just that they were up to something. Thanks! I'm not giving up. ******************* Okay, time to announce the coming chapter title: Sweet Sorrow.

Thanks! Bridget... well, she's a tough one, and Trevor literally doesn't know what he's up against, yet. Well, we want Trevor to be happy, don't we? So, it's for the best the check was not done a half hour earlier, as that would have made him unhappy. We don't know why though... maybe he and Shane were in bed, and it would have been an interruption? The locks are nothing to worry about... if Trevor does what he says and uses some graphite powder, they'll work like new again. We do learn Shane's nickname, but not just yet. I'm very happy with calling it a coffee. That makes more sense than cliffie, because, as we all know, I'd never ever use a cliff, cliffie, or a cliffhanger. Thanks!!!! The eclipse... it's quite real; there is one in Cairns in November this year. But, that's long after the end of this story, which ends in August, 2007, so we won't get to see it. And heh, Trevor has it right; Shane's most usual name for him is indeed "Cruel and abusive bastard!" And a feel-good chapter portending trouble? But... what could possibly go wrong? What trouble could their be? I think the story ending brings all the threads together. I'm hoping I don't leave any loose ends. Carlisle Island appeared in LTMP, good eye! So too did Suncorp Stadioum in Brisbane. And huh, cliffhanger? It's not a cliffhanger! A little graphite and the locks will be just fine. And I'm not eligible for that award this year, due to having been framed for two years in a row. And now about the all Steves are evil comment... I'm being slandered!! It was very clearly Bluey, not me, who said that, so I cannot be blamed.

I agree about not posting until the first draft is done. I have thought, many times, that that's the best way. I think the flow would have been far better, and there are some things that, yes, I'd trim. My problem is that, without feedback and interaction, plus the deadlines of a posting schedule, I'd have never had the motivation to actually get it written, so for me, a serial was the only way. I think I was about 12 chapters into Circumnavigation before I began to post. (not counting the final two, and some drafts of sections such as the Indian Ocean crossing). One thing I have noticed; when I'm only a chapter or so ahead of the posting schedule, I find the quality drops. I haven't been happy with my writing at times like those. Thanks!!! Thank you! Trying to get background and detail right is somewhat of an obsession of mine. I also have an absolutely awesome team, who never cease to amaze me. I can't count the times they have saved the story from errors large and small, ranging from typos to factual errors. To give an example from the most recent chapter, if it wasn't for the team we'd have seen Trevor with one hand on the wheel, one on the radio, and with a sandwich in the other. Three hands. Or, the building Gray was in in Brisbane; I originally had it as a hotel, but though it is now, it wasn't in 2007. This story is very much a team effort. Thanks for joining in, and welcome!! Thanks! I have always felt that too much is made of sexual orientation. It does not define who we are, so the same applies to my characters. One thing skewing the statistics; my slowness. We were around 80 chapters into the story before I moved it over to GA stories. Right now, I think I'm on track to get this completed and posted before my mid-November departure (I'll be gone until New Year's) . I promise I'll do all I can to make that happen. The Rip is indeed complex. One of the things I like about writing stories that involve travel (almost all of mine have) is being able to show interesting and unusual places. It's somewhere I've never been and would like to one day.

Thanks!!! If Bridget ends up in hell, she'll probably be running the place in short order.

The lights in the foreground are buildings. That's pretty darn close!

You should be ashamed of yourself!! To even think that I'd ever use a cliffhanger - inconceivable!! I'm shocked, Shocked I tell ya!!!!

Thanks!! That goof was made by me while prepping the chapter for posting (Well after any of my team had seen it, so they had no chance to stop it.). I ended up with two slightly differing versions of the same sentence. It now reads Thanks for the heads-up- that allowed me to fix it, and that makes the chapter better for everyone. I've added you to this chapter's writing credits as a way of saying thanks. Maybe Gray was just happy to see the surprise reunion?? We haven't heard much from Lisa and Joel lately; they are probably still being yelled at back in Florida. Some of this was winding up story threads... Shane's resolutions in Cairns, etc. Others were setup for other things, and also to enable to me to the tempo from here on out. I tried to keep Brisbane down to an absolute minimum, but three things happened there that had to be shown (might not be obvious what they are until next week) so I couldn't just mention the stop in passing. We haven't seen Lisa and Joel in over a week of their time... I'm pretty sure Lisa's father isn't finished yelling at them yet. Thanks!! The only shelling shall be of eggs. I love chapters with happy endings, such as this one, where everyone is smiling at the end. A great many loose ends will be wrapped up very shortly. The new motivation helped enormously! (Thank you everyone!!!) Without it, this chapter wouldn't be finished yet, plus I redid several parts, which I think helped them. I'm endeavoring to do more along these lines from here on out, and the pace definitely accelerates - a lot. It has to; it's the end of April 2007 in the story, it ends in August 2007, and we've only a few chapters left. There were a lot of clues in this chapter, but I think the next one reveals all that was, and has been, going on behind the scenes. Let's just say the storm clouds are gathering, and the first distant rumbles faintly heard. Thanks! I'm notorious for run-on sentences. Pity my poor editor and betas. I do try to avoid them, but I end up making a lot of run-ons and similar goofs anyway. One thing I should mention; occasionally I'll violate the rules of grammar in dialog, including punctuations, to bring is closer to how I think it would be said. Other times though, I just goof. My team works wonders, but I'm the last one to work on the chapters and get them posted, so any remaining errors are mine alone. CJ