CONTESSA 32 STORY             

This letter is from Gerta Woodberry of Canada, owner of CO32 MIllennium II

She has also written a book on her experiences - see it and order it here!

Hello sailors everywhere,

Another great adventure is in the making in the year 2000. A flotilla of sailboats, trawlers and other boats will again make their way from Toronto, along the St. Lawrence to Anse de Meadows, Newfoundland. The trip will last from the middle of June to the end of July - with many stops along the St. Lawrence River, Anticosti Island, Labrador and the East and West Coast of Newfoundland. Anywhere from 20 to 50 boats are expected to take part in the expedition.

The Grand Hurrah in Newoundland is a big celebration and Newfoundland get together at Anse de Meadows to celebrate the arrival of Leiff Ericson from the Nordic Countries 1000 years ago in his viking ship. A replica of his vessel will rendezvous at Anse de Meadows with the Canadian and US flotillas. Knowing Newfoundlanders propensity for a whopping good party and some great music (Celtic and other kinds), this will be a wild event.  Getting there is half the fun, especially as this flotilla sails during summer weather and enters a lot of spectacular ports along the the Canadian coast line.

Icebergs may not be guaranteed, but some fog, rain, magnificent scenery, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, full moon over the open sea, belugas, many species of whale, seals and thousands of puffins and seabirds, historic ports and incredibly hospitable people are definitely inspiring the flotilla on its slow progression towards its destination.

Many skippers are looking for crew, for either for part of the journey (some port to port hopping) or the entire length of the journey. Here is your chance to participate in a unique 'Millennium' event. You need to have

1. commitment to time (anything from 2 weeks up, between 11. June and 23. July and beyond)
2. a spirit of adventure to share work and space on a boat (some of them spacious, some of them all but)
3. have sailing experience, preferably including off-shore sailing
4. preferably have some navigational, diesel mechanical, first aid, cooking aboard and good seamanship skills - VHF operation HAM radio an asset
5. good humor and diposition help, especially as this is not a solemn affair, sufficient discipline to be able to get up at ungodly hours to catch the tides
6. some boats don't mind smoking aboard - others don't allow it, same goes for consuming alcohol underway

If this flotilla is going to be anything like the last one, your participation will be 'the trip of a lifetime'.

I have been appointed by the organizers to handle and co-ordinate the 'crew list' and try to match skippers with sailors wanting to join boats for all of part of the epic journey.

The Newfoundland Flotilla 2000 departs from Toronto on the Saturday, 11. June 2000 (some boats may go earlier or later)

Stops to jump on and off boats are:

1. Kingston
2. Brockville
3. Somewhere between the 7 Seaway Locks in the St. Lawrence (possibly last stop in Montreal)
4. Sorel
5. Trois Riviere
6. Quebec City
7. Pointe au Pic/Cap a L'Aigle
8. Rimouski
9. Matane
10. Sainte Anne de Monts
11. Port Menier, Ile Anticosti
12. Natashquan
13. Baie de CoaCoaClou
14. Cornerbrook (NFLD)
15. Woody Point
16. Port Au CHoix
17. Flowers Cove
18. Red Bay
19. Henley Harbour/Temple Bay
20. Quirpon Harbour
21. St. Anthony (North Coast of Newfoundland) arrive Sunday July 23. 2000

After July 26th 99 some boats continue around the north and east coast of Newfoundland back to St. Johns and ports beyond towards the magnificent south coast of Newfoundland. Crew may be needed on that part as well.

Please contact me, if you or someone in your sailing circles would like to sail on this great Canadian Flotilla of the second Millennium.

Gerta Woodberry

Skipper of Millennium II (no pun intended)
Participant in Newfoundland Flotilla 1997

416 503 0822 - phone
416 503 0007 - fax

gertaw@businessvalue.on.ca

http://businessvalue.on.ca