TAHIRA ARC BLOG
D-Day 0 [19-Nov-23]
Location: Gran Canaria due SSW - West of Africa
AND NOW FOR THE DAY OF RECKONING!
The waiting is over, the preparation complete (ish), and the boats chomping at the bit in the marina - at last allowed to show what they can do. Not just expensive toys simply to look at. Crowds of well wishers line up on the marina walls
- some local and some friends from home, horns sound, and the champions paraded on their way out to the start line. 150 boats, over a $Billions of investment, and over 1,000 crew members from all over the world. What a spectacle!
The weather forecast for the first few days of the crossing is light winds, so it will provide a comfortable start. There is an 'acceleration zone' around the islands where wind speed can pick up to 40+ knots, but even that looks very calm
at this stage with less than 10 knots of wind. A slight disappointment perhaps but I am sure we will get more lively weather in the days to come, and the first few days will give us time to really get into a rythm for each day.
But for now, we celebrate a day of firsts:
- Our first day out of the marina
- Our first cup of tea on the high seas
- Our first snooze to a gentle rocking motion
- Our first meal - will it be lasagne, shepherds pie or vegetable curry. We will not go hungry
- Our first log book entry - we turned the engine on for 30 mins! Amazing :)
- Our first sound of Bryan's guitar
- Our first 6pm skippers brief
- Our first watch
- Our first night's routine
Our mood is high, and we are enjoying getting underway on this great adventure.