The Beer Chronicles

Sadiqi has three inanimate companions onboard – the bears. That is other than the named: Windvane (Smithy), autopilot (Ken), anchor (Roxy) and cruising spinnaker (Big Bertha). 

The Bears

Ted.E.Bear - stoic and well travelled. Originally he was found as a stowaway on Sadiqi back in October 1987. During an ocean race the bear appeared to fall out of one of the crew's sleeping bag. When questioned as to why the crew member, being an adult, should bring his teddy bear onboard a series of denials of biblical proportions ensued. The insensitive skipper and rest of the crew, of course, believed not a word. The hard evidence was lying on the sole in the form of a small yellow teddy bear. To this day the crew member denies having brought his bear onboard. Excuses that the bear belonged to a friend of one of his sons did not wash.  

Subsequently the bear found favour on the boat and was placed atop the barometer where he sits today. The bear became the boats mascot and has been witness to much adventure, entertainment and merriment. If only the bear could talk, which thank goodness he can't having been sworn to silence. What is said on the boat stays on the boat.

Ted.E.Bear has a somewhat startled appearance: probably psychological due to the rejection from his first owner, having suffered the indignity of being dressed up to attend a party on the boat or having sat on a barometer for too long.

In the mid 90s the bear was borrowed to accompany Belinda, an aspiring young Optimist sailor who successfully competed in events in far off places like Chile, Singapore, Japan and the Mediterranean etc. The bear acted as a good chaperone. It was with some reluctance that the bear was returned to Sadiqi in 2010 prior to departing from Australian waters.   

On long voyages in the absence of people the skipper confesses that he has been known to have the odd animated discussion with Ted.E.Bear. Fortunately, he remains impassive throughout especially when the subject is politics. If the eyes could roll I'm sure they would.

Ted-E-Bear

The Beer Bears

Sue and Rob bear, otherwise known as the Beer Bears joined the boat in 2010
Due to their behaviour these bears have been expatriated to the fore cabin.
I have not been able to prove it, but I'm sure the alcohol consumption on the boat has increased since these two delinquent bears arrived. Alcohol seems to have gone missing. This, of course, could have something to do with the heat in the tropics.

During lengthy voyages I have thought I may have heard, from the fore cabin "Are we there yet?" followed by a titter.
This of course could be: a hallucination, sea sirens or my imagination.

The Beer Bears seem to emerge from the fore cabin shortly after arriving in a new country when a selection of new beers is brought on-board.


Thinking that the title "Beer Chronicles" was hardly likely to be original a google search was done, as one does. Well, in an effort to avoid plagiarising some of the more amusing links on the subject of beer will be referenced. There is even a book by the name. Oh well, the skipper will continue to search for an original thought.

If you have the time, something on occasion the skipper has too much of, some of these links will defiantly bring on a smile or two

Did Benjamin Franklin really say "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy"!





. . . . . and the list goes on . . . . . 

The abridged cruising chronicle

Indonesia 2010
Bintang beer

Thailand 2010 - 2012

Chang beer

Tiger beer

Sri Lanka 2012

Lion beer

Madagascar 2012

Three Horses beer (THB)
A variation on a Bundy theme - Dark and Stormy (Rum and Ginger Beer)

Make Ginger Beer:
  • In a 2 litre (strong container (Coke bottle)):
  • Add 1 Tbsp grated ginger
  • Add 1/2 cup sugar
  • Add 1/2 tsp yeast
  • Add water
  • Shake
  • Leave overnight (warm) to brew
  • Refrigerate
  • Strain and drink.
The ginger will make a few batches.

Be WARNED - The brew creates carbon dioxide and if left long enough alcohol!
Once chilled add the Ginger Beer to you favourite Rum with ice or just drink the ginger beer on its own.
Apparently, ginger has some wonderful health benefits.
This of course, has absolutely nothing to do with real beer.

Mozambique 2012

Manica beer

South Africa 2012 - 2013

Amstel, Castle and Hansa beer

Namibia 2013

Windhoek, Amstel and Hansa beer

Brazil 2013

Devassa and Antarctica beer

Tobago West Indies 2013.

Carib beer

Carib and Stag beer

Grenada, Windward Islands 2014

Presidente and Carib beer

Bequia, Windward Islands 2014

Hairoun and Carib beers

Martinique, Windward Islands 2014

Lorraine beer

ABC islands Bonaire 2014

Polar beer

Curacao 2014

Amstel and Polar beers

Cartagena, Colombia 2014

Aguila and Club Colombia beer

Panama 2014 - 2015

Balboa beer

Ecuador 2015

Ecuador beer
Peurto Amistad Yacht Club

French Polynesia 2015


French Polynesia - Hinano beer

The Kingdom of Tonga 2015

Tonga local beer

Fiji 2015


Fiji beer

New Zealand 2015

New Zealand beer

Fiji 2016

Fiji beer

Fiji 2018

Fiji beer

Vanuatu 2018


Tusker - Vanuatu beer

Australia 2018

Aussie beer and Bundy rum