In
windless conditions we eventually crept across the finishing line at 2.15 am on
Tuesday 6th December. Champagne corks were popped as we completed ARC
2011. Once tied up we drifted off to catch up with some sleep, but in true ARC
fashion soon began the round of partying and catching up with everyone else?s
experiences. There were many tales of damaged sails, torn spinnakers etc, an
indication of the sparky conditions in mid Atlantic.
Rodney
Bay Marina has pulled out all the stops and the ARC staff as usual has organised
the entertainment to a T. The ubiquitous rum punch helps a little.
We had
a great couple of days at anchor between the Pitons and in Rodney Bay itself,
where we able to play with the onboard toys. These included inflatable kayaks
and a water chariot. There were many shrieks as skipper towed these around at
speed behind the tender.
The
marina manager?s party was a blast. Attendees were liberally sprinkled with
glitter on entry and a few were given very glamorous headdresses to wear, mine
was a particularly fetch turquoise and white feathered affair. The band were
terrific and soon had us all jumping.
Last
night 15th December, we partied yet again on Pigeon Island (no
pigeons and it?s not an island!). The theme was ?Thriller?, so many ghastly
ghouls and ghosts roamed the beach with a few even scarier Michael Jacksons
thrown in for good measure.
Individuals? best moments
Steve
W, the raft race in Las Palmas.
Gordon
T, my birthday at sea having a dinner party at 13 knots.
Liz T,
seeing land and getting there.
Anne C,
fancy dress party in Las Palmas, starry night skies, the Caribbean
smile
Steve D
(29 Atlantic crossings under his belt), the whole experience, but particularly
the stability and comfort of living on the boat.
Nick P,
fancy dress parties and sitting at Spinnakers Bar with my feet in the
sand.
Flora
P, dinghy race and fancy dress.
Sarah
W, kayaks somersaulting in large wave dumping us and all our possessions in the
sea right outside Spinnakers Bar, with loud cheers from the punters. (lost three
pairs of glasses, one diamond earring and all dignity)
Jeannette W, being on watch on the bridge, sitting on the bar
counter, doing 10 knots and listening to Queen (very loudly).
Gordon
C, the experience of crossing in a catamaran, very stable and
comfortable.
Cattitude?s ARC
Arriving in Las Palmas to the glorious sight
Of
boats dressed overall, flags in full flight.
Meeting
and greeting like-minded folk
Sharing
our stories and an occasional joke.
Attending some lectures and a skipper?s meeting
Endless
provisioning! Will we do all that eating?
Boats
low in the water and groaning with fare
(Unless
you?re a racer and live on fresh air).
Catching the shuttle bus although not going far
Usually
to chandleries or the Sailor?s Bar
Putting
on costumes and trying to impress
Super
heroes and Cat Women for fancy dress.
The day
of departure and excitement was high
As we
left the marina towards a blue sky.
Throngs
of well-wishers lining the pier
Crossing the start line with a rousing big cheer.
Black
velvet nights and variable days
Our
passage was memorable in so many ways.
The
watches, the dolphins, the comfort onboard
The
squalls and the calms in our memories stored.
Fifteen
days passage and then ?Land ahoy!?
The
isle of St Lucia a source of some joy.
In
sight of the finish line we will ourselves on
Then
?Don?t believe it- the wind is all gone!
Slowly
and surely inching our way
Claxton
horn sounding. We?re in Rodney Bay!
We
sipped some champagne said cheers and well done
We?ve
crossed the Atlantic, time for more fun.
I?ve
told you the goings on here in EC
So it?s
goodnight from them and it?s goodnight from me
But one
last word now before we disembark
On your
bucket list please write ?MUST DO THE
ARC!?