Well here we are with just over 24 hours and 150 miles
to go, and and we look set fair for an arrival in Grenada sometime tomorrow
afternoon.
This has been a long journey and I don't just mean the
miles. It is now 15 months since we bought Cassini and hatched a plan to do the
ARC+ and visit the Caribbean this winter. In that time we have had many ups and
downs, and some times when I thought we would not make it. From preparing the
boat to selecting and preparing the crew it has been hard work, but with a keen
focus on the aim and the great achievement it will be.
We had challenges: just getting to the start line from
the UK with fickle weather and some serious breakages that cost us time (and
money). The weather never did what it was supposed to do and we spent a lot of
time motoring when we should have been sailing. However, the trips from Cascais
to Porto Santo and then on to Gran Canaria showed us what offshore
cruising with decent wind could be like.
After 3 weeks in Gran Canaria, we were keen to get
underway, and with most of the crew onboard we were happy with a conservative
start to the rally. The weather was challenging to start with but soon settled
down into classic North Easterly trades. We enjoyed our arrival in Cape Verde (a
little too much some would say) and welcomed the break and our final crew member
before setting off on Leg 2 from Cape Verde to Grenada. The last two weeks have been a very enjoyable, calm and safe trip
across the Atlantic - even if a little slow due to the weather, yet again, not
doing what it is supposed to do. It is now behaving for the last 48 hours!
The team have gelled together well and soon got into the
daily routine which has also worked well for us. You would think you would have
plenty of spare time on your hands but somehow the days seem to fly by and you
struggle to finish that book you started. We have been at sea for 15 days
now and I can honestly say I have not been bored - tired, yes, but not
bored!
This has indeed been the trip of a lifetime and it has
been brilliant to share it with fantastic friends who have all
contributed superbly in their own way. All the crew have done really well
but I must highlight Snakehips, the Chief Caterer, who has done a fantastic job,
ably supported by chief fisherman, Durks who has caught some splendid suppers
over the last two weeks. Thank you both.
When we finish we will have sailed over 3,000
miles (Simon and I will have done over 5,500) and I am looking forward to a more restful time in
the Caribbean over the coming winter when we can relax and take advantage of all
that the Caribbean has to offer. Stay tuned!
Nigel the Navigator