There are grey beards, and then there are Grey Beards!
Since we’ve been reading about their world travels for some time on Facebook, Rebecca and I are extremely pleased to have finally crossed paths with Behan and Jamie from Sailing Totem. After almost completing their around-the-world circumnavigation with their three children, they sailed into Martinique approximately a week ago, and we were happy to have them join us for drinks and snacks onboard our boat. The following day they extended us the same invitation, and we had fun on Totem listening to the stories that they, and the three other cruising couples in attendance, all of whom had recently arrived after crossing the Atlantic, had to share.
One amusing thing that I recall from that evening’s conversation was that someone noted that, in most cases, with that many cruisers gathered together, there should have been at least a couple of people in attendance with grey beards. Surprisingly, everyone present was clean shaven, somewhat of a rarity in cruising circles. It’s a fact that, a full beard, often a grey one, is almost synonymous with a real sailor. Did you know though that the term grey beard has an altogether different meaning for southern ocean sailors?
Grey beards vs. Grey Beards!
“The winds south of Cape Horn, at the southern tip of South America, follow the “Screaming Sixties” all the way around the world without interruption by continents. This endless fetch produces long, powerful waves known as “graybeards” or “Cape Horn Rollers” by mariners who claim they have seen them measure a mile from crest to crest and reach heights of 200 feet.” Source: Freak Waves and Rogues
The waves rolling across the southern ocean continue on and on, unobstructed by land.
Best of luck to our new friends on Totem as they head further north. Be sure to check out their website!
Yikes!!
Exactly… beards are scary! 🙂
The gray beard comment the other night cracked me up, because it was bang on! Jamie actually had a beard (and started dreads!) BEFORE we went cruising… then decided the tropics were waayy too hot for more hair than required. Really enjoyed meeting you two… lets have lots more evenings like that ahead!
Looking forward to them!
Funny, regarding Jamie’s personal grooming, pre-cruising. As a wannabe cruiser, I often adopt a rather unkempt appearance, which draws a few comments in my corporate day job. The other night, Candace noted that I was beginning to look a bit pirate, so I tidied myself up the next day and regained a few years of youth in my appearance. Looking forward to the day when I don’t have to be a poser cruiser.
Sounds like you’ll fit right in.
HOOOLY SH!T!!!!
I got mine!
Isn’t that you in the photo that I posted?
That’s my son 😉