Four years in the planning and at 13.15 on Sunday our Atlantic crossing began when we crossed the ARC starting line at Las Palmas! Getting 220 boats across the line proved quite interesting as the racers juggled for position to cross at exactly the start while the rest of us simply made sure we avoided each other in the rather tightly packed melee. We hung back and so were one of the last to cross, working on the principal that crossing the line 15 minutes late would, in the course of the next 21 days, make very little difference to us.
Our course currently is taking us South to clear Gran Canaria. We then had a choice of heading straight for St Lucia - a more direct route but would mean that we would not get to the consistent and reliable Trade Winds until later in our trip - or head directly South to pick up the Trade Winds more quickly before heading West. The hot money is on the fact that the weather on the direct route will have little wind over the next few days and we have opted for the longer route with more likelihood of good sailing. Along with, or so it seems, 219 other boats!
As one of the last to cross the start we simply followed the mass of boats ahead. By night everybody had spread out a bit and ahead we saw a sprinkling of yacht lights on the horizon while behind we saw only the light of Gran Canaria beyond the horizon reflecting off the clouds. It seems our position at the rear of the Fleet was well and truly secure. But, as we keep reminding ourselves, we are not racing! The sea has been really flat, the sea sparks up as we sail and disturb luminescent plankton and the sky overhead is fantastically clear and star covered. Oh, and for the first time in ages we have worn our foul weather gear as it is rather fresh in the night air. However, we are assured as we head South it will warm up!!..
Bongo