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September 2001 Newsletter |
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| Sept.21/01.
Hi Everyone:
Sheryl and I are now back on board our sailboat, Two-Step, in Arbatax, Sardinia (Italy). For the past 6 weeks we've been on a sojourn home in Canada doing post-production on the 3 new episodes of our TV series, DISTANT SHORES, that we shot during the summer in Sardinia, the Strait of Bonifacio, and Corsica. |
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| BACKLOG AT THE AIRPORT We were booked to fly back via Rome on Sunday, September 16th, but with the terrible tragedy in New York last week, we weren't sure if we would be able to leave as scheduled. Numerous planes that were headed for the U.S. were diverted to Pearson International in Toronto causing a serious backlog at the airport. However, our Skyservice flight from Toronto to Rome did leave on Sunday with only a few hours delay and an extra stop in Lamezia in the south to deliver those stranded in Toronto since Tuesday's disaster. |
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| AIRPORT SECURITY Security was very tight. Electronic equipment of any kind was not permitted to be checked through; it all had to go carry-on and every piece we were carrying, we had to plug in and prove it was operational. This really took time at the security gate because Paul and I travel with a lot of electronic equipment - cameras, sound equipment, laptop computers with external drives for editing on board, VHF radios, GPS (navigational equipment for the boat), etc., etc. Fortunately, our gear is pretty compact since it all has to be stored on the boat so we streamlined and got everything packed into carry-on cases, carried lots of proof and info that we were going to shoot more episodes of our TV show this fall, and prepared to be patient. Subsequently, we had no trouble and every security employee we encountered from here to Rome has now promised to watch DISTANT SHORES on CLT on Saturday nights at 10 PM in Canada, or on the Travel Channel in Europe this winter :-) |
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| AN ANGEL IN HIS UNDERWEAR We spent a couple of days in Rome recovering from the 6-hour jet lag and stayed at our favourite hotel in the picturesque Trastevere district. Hotel Trastevere is within walking distance of the Roman Forum, Colosseum, and Vatican City which are all fascinating historic sites. On Wednesday night we caught an overnight ferry to Sardinia, arriving in the dark at 5:00 AM at Porto Arbatax. From the ferry dock we could roll our suitcases right to the dock where we had left Two-Step moored, but to our dismay found the gate was locked! Fortunately, one of our dock mates, a keen fisherman, was up fishing beside his boat and recognized us. Not expecting to see anyone, he was in his underwear! Despite his scanty attire, he cheerfully and noisily welcomed us back home, helped us carry our gear down the dock, and hefted our heavy cases up to us on the boat. Within 15 minutes of our arrival we were back on board and snug in our bunk. |
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| Today
is Sheryl's birthday. We'll set sail for Pantelleria on Monday or Tuesday, weather permitting, and will keep in touch. Please drop us a line when you have a chance. Love, |
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