A Message from Home
Latest Position: 04/14/09 1 08.607S 27 49.476W
In light of all the bad news in the solo circumnavigators' world of late, we wanted to update you all on Zac's position and goings on. He fell asleep and slept through our evening check in time. Yes, we were beginning to wonder but he woke up realizing that he had missed us and gave a quick call to check in. All is well. From the looks of things he should pick up some traces of wind (9 knots or less) and be able to make some decent progress tomorrow hopefully.
We are totally excited with Zac's progress - obviously not distance-wise, but in character and perseverance. He could probably redefine the word perseverance for us all tonight!
Many of you know of the issues; both health and financial that we are experiencing here. We would not trade this experience for anything though and know that God will work all of this for the good in the end because we do love Him.
Your comments and emails encourage us as a family as much, sometimes, as they do Zac. We hope to meet some of you when Zac returns to California in late June.
Our hearts go out to the group - Natasza Caban, Minoru Saito and Mike Perham and his family and all they are going through.
This is certainly shaping up to be more of an adventure than we had anticipated!
Cheers,
Marianne
In light of all the bad news in the solo circumnavigators' world of late, we wanted to update you all on Zac's position and goings on. He fell asleep and slept through our evening check in time. Yes, we were beginning to wonder but he woke up realizing that he had missed us and gave a quick call to check in. All is well. From the looks of things he should pick up some traces of wind (9 knots or less) and be able to make some decent progress tomorrow hopefully.
We are totally excited with Zac's progress - obviously not distance-wise, but in character and perseverance. He could probably redefine the word perseverance for us all tonight!
Many of you know of the issues; both health and financial that we are experiencing here. We would not trade this experience for anything though and know that God will work all of this for the good in the end because we do love Him.
Your comments and emails encourage us as a family as much, sometimes, as they do Zac. We hope to meet some of you when Zac returns to California in late June.
Our hearts go out to the group - Natasza Caban, Minoru Saito and Mike Perham and his family and all they are going through.
This is certainly shaping up to be more of an adventure than we had anticipated!
Cheers,
Marianne
posted by Zac at
7:53 PM
26 Comments:
Sailing schoolboy's (Mike's) dad sacked over record bid
The father of sailing schoolboy, Mike Perham, has lost his job because he spent too much time out of the office trying to iron out the youngster's teething problems in his bid to circumnavigate the world solo.
Peter Perham,47, a chartered quantity surveyor who worked in London's Hackney, has flown to all points of the compass to help his 17-year-old son realise his dream to become the world's youngest world-girdler.
'I have spent a lot of time on the project and the office found someone else to do my job,' he told YM. When Mike left Falmouth last November he was planning a non-stop circumnavigation. But he has stopped so far in Cascais, Portugal, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Cape Town, South Africa, and Hobart, Tasmania with gear and rudder problems.
Peter Perham has flown out to many of the stopovers to help Mike with the logistics of getting new kit shipped out for Totallymoney.com, his Open 50.
The pressure will now be building for the youngster to get moving again soon and face the roughest section of his trip as winter approaches: the Southern Ocean between Australia and Cape Horn.
Always great to hear anything from all three of you. Keep going. Question, I live in Minnesota and have followed Zac since his start. You mentioned something about getting together in June. When will you know the dates. I would like to fly out and spend a couple of days. The airline says the cheap tickets are best bought three weeks before the flights. If some how you know when the event will be it would be wonderful to save money. I would very much enjoy meeting you all.
Bill
Marianne,
Your heartfelt post was so full of honesty and gratitude. It truly touched my heart.
Perseverence is just one of the words that describes Zac and the rest of Team Sunderland. Even though Zac is doing all the "heavy lifting," it's nice to know that us bloggers have been able to help buoy your spirits when times are difficult.
I look forward to June with a myriad of emotions. It will be so wonderful to see Zac sail into the Marina and back into the loving arms of his family and yet I'll be a little sad that our (bloggers) adventure will have come to an end. I guess I'll have to jump ship and cheer on whomever is still sailing as Zac embarks on a different journey.
God bless all of you!
Having "somewhat" kept me Lent promise to bide me tongue, was very pleased to read your words. Keep the Faith.
Warm Fuzzy HUGS!
Tomi
maybe i have missed something - what is all the bad news that you mention in todays post?
the good news is that Zac is on the move and getting closer to his goal every day.
i met Zac when he was in Durban and i took him to get his passport stamped at the Immigration office. the thing that struck me the most is that he seems to see the bigger picture in the whole venture. sure day to day events are going to provide obstacles in the form of breakdowns, too much wind , too little wind; however these are just 'speed bumps' along the way.
Another thing that impressed me is that Z is self assured without being cocky. When the Immigration Officer asked him what he poistion on board the yacht was, Zac replied, without batting an eye li, " Captain ".......
We feel as though we have been on this journey with you, minus the doldrums. We wait for your safe return. God Bless, David and Ginger, Ventura, Ca.
Glad to see Zac is being a normal 17 y/o and missing the odd call from Mom due to oversleeping. Now since there doesn't seem to be much sailing happening at the moment, I have included a link that has absolutely nothing to do with sailing, maps, pirates, radio frequencies etc But it is pretty pretty pretty good if U like one for the underdog!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gHvATmUsSg&NR=1
Can anyone fill me in on Natasza Caban? I've seen several comments here on the troubles she's been having, but the English translation of her blog hasn't been updated since April 8th, and her last entry just mentions a very, very long night but no details of what exactly happened.
I have really been enjoying following Zac (since last June), then Mike, and now Natasza. It's the first thing I do every morning...check all the blogs to see how everyone is doing. Zac certainly seems to be an amazing young man with a fantastic network of family and friends supporting him.
Marianne,thanks for your heartfelt message.
It is wonderful to be part of such a band of people (the Zacpac) who care so much and who are hopeful for the important things in life.
Sure, beating a record, is no doubt, a wonderful thing to experience but the most importnat thing in life....character building.......is far more worthwhile and for the two things to be happening at once is awesome.I am proud to be part of this group.
UK friend
Hello Marianne,
In light of all this bad news your third paragraph really speaks of who the Sunderland's really are. If you have any prayer requests please send them to my personal email. They will be delivered.
A circumnavigation trip of any kind is a real big undertaking full of joy and sometimes sorrow. I'm sure it's become a Big Deal in so many ways for your immediate family and friends. I can read and feel the PRESSURE you and the entire family must be feeling. Laurence, I know this must be really hard on you too!!!
I admire the Sunderlands for the courage to continue, staying true, having that immense faith, and the unbelievable trust you must place on so many people including your oldest son. You're a pillar of encouragement and a testament of who the Sunderlands really are when anyone reads these blogs.
With a little wind this chapter of all your lives will come to a close. I know it feels over bearing right now but in the future you'll look back and actually miss these times. Never give up, stay encouraged, and you MUST be faithful until the end.
Better Time Are Coming,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Lovely sentiments :-)
It's never been about records and races, it's about growth and experience. Just look how far it has come, from just Mom, Dad and Zac discussing it in the begining, to their community helping them put it all together, expanded to include a bunch of bloggers following along to then include 3 other circumnavigators along with their communities, who once all is said and done will expand it all even further once they get home and so on. From a seed grew a forest of pure positivness :-) as vast as the seas it all begun on. Awesome.
Meanwhile back to business. So far the best and simplest weather charting found to date even with animation:
Looks like some good winds for Zac, starting at around 10 knots and only getting better the further he goes.
http://www.passageweather.com/
I can't remember how I first heard about Zac, but I've been following him since he set out. What an amazing feat! I am encouraged that your faith is so evident in your life.
I am a stay at home mom with two small children. My dad was a missionary pilot and so I know the thrill of adventure in foreign lands. God bless you Zac and fam!
Marianne-
Behind every great person is a great Mom.....
Kodiak Mike
Check the Polish section of the blog for Natasza, the English translated section is usually several days behind. Her last log in was yesterday, this is her latest position from the 13th. Machine translated (use google translation or other)
"Easter 13 - 04 - 2009 12.04.2009 Easter and my birthday.
less than 100 miles of the Fernando de Noronha
Christmas Eve Christmas at sea, spent a lot already, but I wonder whether the Easter Holidays are my first at sea ... and I think so, and certainly are the first that I spend there my own. in addition there are today, my birthday.
My plans for Christmas in a letter sent to the family of the church. Helena look like this:
- Have a beautiful Christmas weather in which I wish you well.
- I plan to cook an egg, it may pomaluję oklejane flamastrami and tape gaflową we wzorki ...
- Zjem eggs in chocolate from Beatki and Wanda, zjem cucumbers from Jadzi that really are in Polish, with a white chocolate rabbit that got from Allan goodbye to waiting for me and has najprawdziwszy in the world dzwoneczek on the neck (króliczka attach to rumpla - let the posteruje ??:)...
I wish you, that you find time for yourself in this Christmas for yourself, for loved ones, friends ... Also keep in mind to say that the love that they love. sometimes deposited it on later and later is too late"
Once again, our faith and prayers seem to be working! The entire Sutherland clan and the rest of us Zac-Pacers will continue to keep the faith. Z, I hope your wisdom teeth feel better. When I was going through the same issue out of country the local dentist gave me some dental wax to pack in which really helped. Godspeed and I will hope to join the masses in MDR upon your return.
Big Wave Dave in Pacific Grove, CA
Hi all.
Kodiak Mike, I could not have said it better.
First Anon post. Both Mike and Zac are doing the thing of their dreams and no one can fault them for that. Their respective parents are doing what any real parent would do for their children which is to support them in any way they can and guide them into productive happy adulthood. No one should take pride in or wish either one of the boys or their parents ill fortune nor should we take pleasure in seeing one or both of the adventurers having problems. I am hoping that your post was to provide simple information as to the sacrafices that are being made by the Sunderlands and the Perhams in support of their children and not some type of gloating showing that Zac is superior to Mike, just as I would not expect gloating on Mike's blog showing Mike to be superior to Zac.
Zac, wishing you catch some wind and hurry home. I have been busy and cutting a lot of fabric lately and really do not want to sharpen my shears again, but if you take too long in getting back here, I am afraid that I shall have to invest in another sharpening.
To answer the question of whether I can have cheese on Matzo, yes, I can, which is what makes eating it palatable. But even at it's worst, it is better than poor Zac eating cold chili out of a can in a bobbing boat on a choppy sea.
Godspeed
Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com
Marianne, I greatly admire you and your entire family. Not only for your support of Zac's dream, but for being brave in opening your lives a degree to all of us, to share in this experience. All my best to the Sunderlands - always in my prayers. Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
I received an email yesterday from Natasza that said:
"im ok
in fernando de noronha since last night don worry im ussualy all right jksut to tired for blog but it wil com
nat"
Jerry W/Sacramento San Joaquin Delta
Having followed both of these boys since there inception, neither have malice. In fact both boys have a high regard and wish each other well. As written in several of there own blogs. The people that have a problem are adults as usual. I for one wish to take a page out of the boys vernacular and wish all a great adventure and a safe return.
I don't check this blog everyday, but am so encourage by what I read - that Zac is so much closer to home and to achieving this dream. I can't wait to know when he's due to arrive so I can ditch work and be there to cheer him on. God bless the entire family for supporting Zac and believing in him.
Where's the negativity in this comment section. Reads to me like all positive thoughts and wishes until one party comes along incapable of interpreting everything and turns everything into negativity, then another follows suit :-(
HALT!
"A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner."
I received an email from the first Anon post wherein he informed me that his post was meant to show just how much the Perham family has invested in Mike and how much the Sunderland family has invested in Zac.
Thank you Anon (yes I know your name but it is up to you to post it, not me) and I appreciate your remarks very much.
It is obvious that most of the followers of Zac are very much concerned about his dream and the burdon put upon the family to realize this lofty goal of a 17 year old.
My offer still goes to place a bid on his brother to help out the family but alas, for some strange reason Marianne (or maybe it is Laurence) want to keep him around.
I shall go now and dream of the In N' Out burger I can have when the sun goes down tomorrow night.
Ah the joys of not having to make a sandwich out of dried cardboard.
Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com
Bill, my favorite trick for making palatable Matzah is the Matzah Pizza. Just take a cracker, smear some spaghetti sauce over it (I like the mushroom & garlic Ragu), sprinkle on some shredded cheese, and pop it in the microwave for a minute. Quick & easy and you can almost forget that the bread is designed to remind us of suffering.
If anyone local is going to the Newport Boat Show in Newport Beach this weekend, I'll be volunteering with the Orange Coast College School of Sailing and Seamanship. I don't know if I'll be aboard Por Nada or Bluefin, but if you come by, it's always fun to connect with other Zac Pac'ers.
Still praying daily Numbers 6:24-26
Mouse in Whittier
www.myspace.com/mouseonamotorcycleAnd yeah, I'm still blatantly shilling my CD here!
Let's all send plenty of prayers and positive thoughts toward the Perham family. I was really affected by reading that his father had lost his job. That's one selfless Dad.
Mike is stuck in Hobart right now, facing expensive repairs, and winter is creeping into the Southern Ocean, putting pressure on every day lost on shore.
He's got to be feeling terrible about what's happened to his father. I hope the sailing community in the UK pulls together to help keep his trip going.
I've got no doubt that soon after he arrives home he'll have one heck of a book, as he's a tremendous writer. So that will be some vindication for him.
But right now he's got 6,000 miles of blustery ocean between him and Cape Horn. And plenty of ocean from the Horn to home.
More than ever I hope he heads for Panama, as I think he'd have a safer weather passage that way.
I've already posted once on his site, suggesting Panama would be a good route. Think I'll do the same again, and try to convince him with the argument that Cape Horn is old hat, and if he really wants to pull in the readers, we need some Carribean adventures.
Would actually enjoy reading his take on the Carribean.
-- Grant Fjermedal, Seattle
It is terrible about Mike Perham - but ultimately jobs come and go (especially right now) and years from now the family will remember more what he has done for his son and also what his son has done for him - better things will come out of it in the end.
Zac - great to see your progress - so very exciting.....speed on home.
Jane et al
Portland
Hi Zac,
Sounds like you are becoming a little down in yourself to me? Is that right? Come on then lets get it movin, you are doin so well and everyone out here watchin is so with you and so so impressed with what you haev already achieved. If there are people like you in the world it's a better place all round. It was me asked about paname. I woudl like some sort of idea when you are going through the Miraflores locks as there is a web cam ther I might be able to pick you up on!
regards
Ruu (cumbria UK)
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