C James

How do we know he's not there solely for pizza? Well, maybe he's after lasagna, too. But, we know for sure that he likes pizza!! Officer Gonzalez is indeed a good detective... :businesssmiley: Bridget's late husband, Arnold, is mentioned in the prologue, though not by name. He's the seller of the Ares.

Chapter 20 is up. And now we have absolute confirmation about JIM:

I thought I'd add in the titles of some of the coming chapters. Ch 20, posting in a few hours, Rude Awakenings Ch 21, Interview Ch 22, Intercepted

The prevailing winds in the tropics are usually east to west, so Trevor's choice of an eastbound circumnavigation was a bit unusual, and in many cases heading for Panama would make sense for a tropical circumnavigation. On the other hand, if he heads south, the roaring 40's are eastbound, so for higher latitudes eastbound would make more sense. One factor is his boat type; Catamarans can sail closer into the wind than monohulls, and they are faster. The latter gives him the ability to use short-range forecasting to plot weather windows. He's definitely paying attention to seasonal issues; it's mentioned in passing that he needs to wait in the eastern med for his a weather window in the Indian Ocean. Thanks Steve, and welcome back!!! Cape Horn (Terra Del Fuego) is indeed notorious. It's the furthest south of the great capes, and has very unpredictable weather. I've rounded it two ways; the Magellan passage to the north, and also by rounding the cape itself. (both times on big ships). Oddly, and unusually, the sea was dead calm when I rounded the cape. Then a few days later off the Falklands, it was rough as hell and a constant gale. The Cape of Good Hope is a perilous one, and most everyone thinks it's the southernmost point of Africa and also the dividing line between the Indian and Atlantic oceans. In much the same way, most people believe that Gibraltar is the point of Europe closest to Africa, and that Gibraltar sits astride the narrowest point of the strait. None of the above are true. The southernmost point in Africa is Cape Agulahs, a hundred miles southeast of the Cape of Good Hope. It is also the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The cape of good hope protrudes far out from the coast, and marks the point where a ship coming down the African Atlantic coast would turn generally eastward, so it is the more famous of the two. It also has some wild weather. There's even a surfing beach near the tip of the cape. I've walked along that beach, but the waves were way too big and wild for me to try. (I was never a big wave surfer; I don't have the skill). Rounding a great cape is indeed hazardous. The mercurial and unforgiving sea holds a great many dangers, and those rank high on the list.

Who says you're not in the story?

I'm leaving on a trip Friday, and I'll be gone for just over three weeks. "Circumnavigation" will continue to post every week, thanks to my team; they have given me enough finished chapters to do this. So, the chapters should still be appearing every Tuesday. Shadowgod will be doing the posting. (Thanks Steve!) Now, while I'm away, please have fun!!! Now, where am I going? I'll give more details later, but for now, I can say this: I'm going to sea. On what? A boat! The fist letter of the boat's name? A Second latter? T Third letter? L Fourth letter? A Is the fifth letter an N? Why, yes! And I'll fill y'all in on the details when I get back.

But,,, but... but... Whatever did I do? :blink: I'm just asking who people think the antagonist is. With your great love of cliffhangers, and your ability to see them where they aren't, is it any wonder you were voted for? Now how could I be the antagonist? Me? Pin the blame on others? When have I ever done such a thing as that?

I thought y'all might find this interesting.

The next chapter, 20, is called "Rude Awakenings".

Congratulations Lugh!! And Happy Birthday, too!

ROFL! But, didn't you know? "Cliffhanger" is kind of a four-letter word abound these parts! 0:) ERK! Now, now, let's not get hasty! I'm sure the echidna won't mind, so long as he remains unawares. (What he doesn't know, won't hurt me!). ACK!!! Now, now, the only plot point I've revealed is that you are responsible for the sinking of Ares. Of course, if you are willing to admit that, then you can indeed report me to the echidna.

That's already in the works, though it might be part of the main story instead of a short story spin-off. The car? Hrmmm! Well, not a cliffhanger but I'll see what can be done.

Welcome aboard, Adam!!! BTW, have a look at Adam's new site. I think Steph did a great job!

I want to send out a huge "THANK YOU" to my wonderful team. They do awesome work, and my stories are very much a team effort. They are the best, and I cannot thank them enough. I'll also add that editors and betas are all too often the unsung heroes of writing. Readers, and especially writers, should let them know that you appreciate them.

But it's not my fault! Joel was the one who interrupted with the call of "Beer time!" and by the time that scene was done, Dirk had already spilled the beans back in Florida. Ahh, you need to pay closer attention to the pizza angle! My theory, that no one seems to have responded to, is that Jim is going to Italy because he likes pizza. Why the binoculars? Easy; for restaurant-spotting. Why the radio? so he has something to listen to while waiting for his meal? And cliffhanger?? Not possible! Please see the above theory, and then consider this; Jim's thoughts relate to the fact that Dirk wouldn't go to Italy for pizza, and so therefor, Jim has to do it himself; he's going for long-distance takeout! But... but... but... We all know that there can't be any cliffhangers in any of my stories... right? And BTW, ROFL, that was good! Linxe!!! You know I'd never use a cliffhanger!! And as for knowing cliffs when you see them, if you see them here, that cannot be! Good point about friends knowing codes; Yep, Joel had no qualms about giving Trevor his ATM PIN, and Trevor showed Joel the secret compartment containing Trevor's cash, gun, and papers, and how to access it, which is sort of a code in itself. Dirk has no clue that Jim is going to Italy. Now, why might Jim keep that a secret? So, maybe Jim is just going out for pizza??? A long, long way out? I can't give spoilers, but I can speak as to what has been in the text, and what hasn't. References to Dirk knowing that Trevor is gay have been entirely in Trevor's dialog. Trevor may, or may not, be correct. And evil? Me? I'm not evil.... And you're one to talk, after destroying the Ares for your pirate class project! :chris: Shame on you! I'm intrigued by the "Rachel is living in Australia" theory! However, the question simply must be asked; is that even possible?? I mean, is it possible that someone, anyone, could actually survive ten years in Australia? Is it even possible for human life to exist in Australia for any length of time? I mean, just look at their wildlife... is it any wonder that the national language it terrified screaming?

Ben's comment to Trevor about having to move didn't turn out to be quite true; he was told by his father that he'd be attending his senior year in Fort Pierce. But... but... but... I'm innocent, I tell ya, innocent! The story has been re-sent. General note: I messed up on the original attachments; if you received one that won't open, let me know so I can re-send.

Ahh, but they are there in summer, and I never travel in summer! (it's both expensive and crowded, two things I hate!) The last time I was in the Naples area was back in.. hrmmm... This is embarrassing, I'm not sure! (I stink at remembering dates) I'm pretty sure it was Spring, 2007, but I need to look it up, and it was fall of 2007! October... So, well after Trevor and Joel were in the area. And fiend? FIEND!?!? Poor, innocent me? Nope... I think it's clear; you sank the Area and Rachel! Shame on you!!! And, um, I see it just turned midnight, so I've got to go post a chapter.

ACK! I see misdirection here! RKnapp is clearly trying to shift suspicion away from himself... And his engineering specialty is land-based? Well, that cinches it! It is well known that the most deadly enemy of boats is land... And you are suspiciously familiar with all sorts of eeevil weaponry... And me? I rarely venture out to sea! Why, I won't even be going to sea on the Atlantic again until next week, and late next week at that! And how could I be responsible for anything bad? Aren't my stories always all sweetness and light? Nah, can't be me; I haven't been to Australia in many years. And evil? But.. but... but... goats are never evil!! And a cameo? Well, There will be a few cameos in the story, but we'll have to wait to see who they are. Naaaa! Benji!! You know a goat would never have anything to do with a cliff, or a cliffhanger! Did I just get accused of being a sheep-shagger? :blink: :blink: :P

Lex? As in Lex Luthor?!?!? But, but, but... he was evil, and as we all know, I'm the furthest thing from evil. Hook? AHHA! That's a pirate name!!! As in Captain Hook! So... I think the answer here is clear! You were in pirate school, and your semester end project was the destruction of the Ares... And, I'll note that, as a budding engineer, you would have been able to envision all sorts of diabolical devices to aid you in your dark task! So yes, the fact you were in school proves you had both opportunity, and motive!!! Yep, the case is looking stronger than ever... And I'll bet you volunteer the thing that will make it conclusive, intent, very soon. (and motive, opportunity, and intent, when combined, mean you did it!!!) :P

Benji! Well, it has to be the team, if there are cliffhangers. The only other possible explanation is that there are never any cliffhangers in my stories, and never have been. Okay, it's about a thousand miles from New Jersey to Bimini... And we all know you're good with engines, so getting that motor working would be well within your abilities. In fact, you would have likely returned it to inoperability afterward, as an alibi. You could have made the journey with ease; at ten knots, it's less than a hundred hours. And, you could stop along the coast for food and fuel. The Ares was lost in late May of 1997, so not quite summer. Yes, I think we have our prime suspect here! RKnapp!

AHHA! You went to Bimini often, did you? Like in summer of 1997!?!!?!?!? So this places you at the scene of the crime!!!! Folks, I think we have our answer here: the antagonist in "Circumnavigation", it can now be revealed, is Rknapp!! And Trevor didn't even know Joel then, so that's another factor in support of the "RKnapp did it" theory! And me? Cliff dwelling and devious? Would I ever do such things as that?

Red, it would have been my goof, not yours. Remember, no matter what, even if you tell me wrong on something, there's a line in the credits of every chapter: "any remaining errors are mine alone." I'd never blame a team member for anything... with, of course, one exception: cliffhangers. Marina di Stabia looks great; but this conversation has prompted me to check something I'd assumed for a later port (you couldn't have caught that, you haven't seen it yet), and guess what? I had it wrong; there was a change in 2008. I've fixed it! BTW, on the subject of realism... one thing I'd like to mention is airline schedules. Does anyone know of a way to find old ones? For example, when I was checking what Joel's schedule would be from Orlando to Gibraltar, I was able to find out what the Gatwick to Gibraltar schedule had been in 2006, but I had to base the Orlando to the UK flight on current schedules, which may or may not be the same as in 2006. Hrmmm... So, that rules that boat out... but, you've just admitted a bit too much, Rob... This means that you indeed had access to a seagoing yacht at the time Ares vanished, in 1997. I think this puts you fairly high on the suspect list! So, should we add this to the poll? Did Rknapp sink Ares and Rachel??

I missed that one, too. The first time I was in the area, it was raining like crazy and I had a long drive ahead, so I missed Pompeii. The second time, a couple of years ago, I had very limited time... I was on a cruise, with Naples as a port. So, I was only there for a day. I always avoid the tours from the ship when I can, so I walked from the port, through the rough dockside areas (no problem) and to the train station, planning on taking the train to Pompeii. Well, that's where I found out they were having a strike that day. So, muttering nasty things about strikers, I tried to find a cab... but couldn't. (with several ships in, plus a strike, they were quite busy). I couldn't see a car rental place, so my only option was to head back for the ship and get on one of their afternoon tours. When the bus arrived at Pompeii, I had to waste more time sticking with the group until they'd taken us through the admissions gate. As soon as I was inside (at the gladiator school) I took off on my own, wanting to see as much as I could and with just two and a half hours to do it. I saw a heck of a lot more than the tour did, but it wasn't enough. I want to go back and stay nearby, so I can spend a couple of days exploring. (And see Herculaneum too). Another to-do is to climb Vesuvius (climbing active volcanoes is one of my hobbies). Much of Pompeii is closed to the public, so, like Trevor and Joel, you need to sneak into those areas to see them, unfortunately. But, I had no problem doing so, and it was well worth it! I loved Rome, although it was crowded. I've been a few times, once for several days. I like the hill towns even better; this time last year I spend ten days in the north of Italy, mainly exploring the hill towns. I loved it! I'd done the same in Tuscany a couple of years ago, and I very much want to return to Italy. I find renting a car to be by far the best way to see Italy; it lets me see more of the small towns I love, and it also actually saves money; I find I can stay in better places that are actually a lot cheaper than you'd find in a city. My favorites are Agritourisimos; converted farms. One I stayed at in Tuscany was out in the countryside, and it had a gourmet restaurant, specializing in Tuscan cooking. Best Italian food I've ever had. The price, for a very nice apartment, was a lot less than a low quality hotel in town. It would have been impossible without a car. Actually, I find renting a car to be the best option most everywhere, unless I'm staying in a big city (rare for me; I'm not fond of cities). Europe does have an excellent rail system, but I find a car a better and overall cheaper option. One of my favorite stays was in the Austrian Alps; I spent two weeks there and in the Barvarian alps. I went in December, and the air was crystal clear, which made for awesome views. HAving a car let me stay in a Gastenhaus, a nice one, for less than half the price of a mediocre hotel in town. That area is also my favorite place to snowboard. The aquaducts are amazing... I saw many ruins, and even one that's still in use.

Changing the title was IMHO wrong, but I have mixed feeling about Nifty's other rules. As long as they are totally upfront about the copyright issue (granting perpetual license to display) it's okay in my opinion. That way, the author can decide if they are interested or not. I can understand why they have that rule; it would be a huge amount of work to have to deal with authors withdrawing or amending, etc. It's not for everyone, but provided they are up front about it, IMHO, it's like any other contractual rule; if both parties agree, that's fine. If not, don't post there. But if you do post there, DO be aware of (and read!) their rules.

There was a goof, by me, regarding the files attached to some PM's. If you received one and can't download, let me know. Okay, a question; anyone want to add an option for a poll? The subject of the poll will be; what should CJ's next private "thank you" to forum posters be; One option is continuing "Ben". Anything else anyone would like to see?