[Alan Wheeler]

Arrr just to be sure everyone is clear, "Troll" is an internet term for someone trolling, as in fishing, up trouble. Comments are made to see if they can stir the pot and bring peoples comments to a boil.
The problem we have with this thread now, is that it is huge. It has to be the biggest we have on this BB. So going back through all the threads to see what ones have said and in what context is very difficult. Now add to that the fact that we each have a language, even though it is English, it is still different. And finally, no one can truely hear the manner in which something is expressed as we each write. The danger is taking something that is meant in kind words as if it was down the nose snobbery or anger or what ever.
I have said this before and I will say it again. But I suspect that it will simply get lost among the miriad of replies in this topic.
But hopefully Janice will read this.

NOBODY is knocking Pat and Ali personally. Get that clear.

I imagine they to be great people and they look a lovely fun couple. I think it is great that they have taken on this adventure and more power to them. We all here wish them the best and wish them calm sea's and fair winds. BUT.......
There are some things they have done that have been a little scary to think about.
WE HAVE ALL DONE SIMILAR THINGS in our lives of learning to sailing. The difference??? they have chosen to place their exploits on a Public domain, for all to view and thus for all to comment.

Janice, surely yourself, if YOU have any sailing experiance, would have to agree that somethings have been a little hairy. They have gotten away with problems so far, but what if..... and the what if's happen out there. I just can't believe their luck or Gods grace to them so far.
When they were here in NZ, I was Emailing them privately and offering advice on weather windows. Maybe they listened, maybe they didn't. I know they came across localised winds of 30knts and more. But one thing for sure, they didn't experiance what could have been dealt to them out there. I hope they never get to experiance it, but at the same time, when the swells are at the hight of the top of your mast, you realise you are very small and insignificant out there and things had better be right with your boat. And although I am not going to enter a contest here and boast of what I have done, I will say yes, I have experianced conditions like that on several occasions. And that's as far as I am going to go.