Farfelu - All done and dusted

The party is over, the morning after celebrating our arrival in Lagos. There's a feeling of achievement on Farfelu - roughly a thousand miles under her keel - we've made the distance and, apart from losing our ensign half way, no major incident to report. Well, that's not strictly true. There was a nasty moment when yours truly decided to tension the main halyard whilst sailing about five miles offshore. We were bombing along quite merrily, in contention for a decent position for a change and it seemed like a good idea at the time to try to improve the sail shape. When the rope broke and the sail started to fall I knew I had made a blunder. Karen was remarkably calm about it, we clipped on harnesses, put the boat into the wind and did battle with the flappy falling thing for over an hour. We lost the lead but saved the sail so that was a good enough result and the Treacle Miners very kindly helped us to put it all back together in port the next day.

Rounding Cape St Vincent was quite a different experience. The day started windless so we motored most of the way; when the wind did materialise there was plenty of it and rather rough seas to go with. Just as things began to get interesting north of the Cape we heard one boat call by radio for a tow, their engine starter motor having failed. What ensued was a series of individual and collective acts of admirable seamanship that deserved and received tribute from all quarters. If any justification were ever required for joining the Rally, that team effort amply provided it.

So, we've arrived in the Algarve. All the rally boats are in the right place at the right time. We spent most of the day cleaning Farfelu yesterday and she's no longer showing any signs of wear. Her crew are a little more tanned, elated by covering such a distance and now, fully caught up with sleep, beginning to think about next steps. Next step for this skipper will be in the direction of a nice little swimming pool nearby, then a spot of lunch in the old part of town just over the bridge. After that it just may not be wise to step further - a siesta maybe?

The organisers have been superb, helpful, funny, supportive, ever-present without being obtrusive. Thanks due not only to them for helping us to achieve something special but thanks also to the entire fleet whose freely shared knowledge, skills, experience made this trip not only safe and convivial but truly memorable. Hi-hooooo!

JPT