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Raggy Doll - Day 6 and 7 - Fingers Crossed



Day 6 - Friday was filled with food shopping and re-stocking provisions, AJ had started cooking in readiness for our journey across Biscay, a slight feeling of deja vu, but hopefully with a better ending. The skippers' meeting was scheduled for 1800 in the Quayside Inn, with an add on of all other crew invited at 1830 for a free drink from ARC. We already knew from an email earlier today that there were suggestions on the table for extending the ARC as we had been delayed leaving the UK. This was then confirmed at the meeting and I'm pretty sure a lot of people breathed a sigh of relief as several crews were concerned about long day sails and quick turnarounds, rather than the relaxed rally with stop overs here and there that was originally on the timetable. The extention brings back additional days needed to make up for the uk departure delay. It was confirmed we are to leave Sunday at whatever time is suitable for each yacht.
After the get together at the inn, several people, including us, squeezed onto Mischief for a very pleasant evening hosted by Dave and Wendy (yes, that's her real name and the comment will make sense later). Various foods and drinks were brought to the table by people attending. AJ, yet again, strood up to the challenge and cooked salmon fillets, dressed with lemon wedges and rocket with a separate dish of an avocado and creme fraiche sauce and mixed a large salad. Others brought home made coleslaw, salads, cold meats and boiled eggs. Paula from Le Soleil made a traditional Spanish Omelette. Emily (nicknamed Wendy as she is on Neverland) made banoffee pie. Everything was delicious.
Some new crew members arrived today to replace those who have had to leave. Amanda, who I believe has made the journey from Cowes, is to join Neverland and has already been nicknamed Tinkerbell!
We left the evening at a sensible time, returning to Raggy Doll where I dipped into the green bag and was rewarded with M&S cranberry and almond mix. And so, to bed.
Day 7 - Saturday, a lazy morning, AJ shopping again, Andrew checking weather charts and working out routes and me lazing about writing blogs! Another skippers' meeting at the Marina Museum scheduled for 1200.
The meeting was nothing unexpected, with last minute advice and instructions. We're off tomorrow, aiming to leave around 0700 to make the most of winds and tides. AJ is now back in the galley creating more culinary delights for our long haul across Biscay.
Whilst I sit here typing this blog I am wondering how other crews are feeling? I have a myriad of emotions rattling around in my head and I'm certain others will feel the same. It's nearly time to slap on the Scopoderm anti sickness patch that I hope is going to be my saviour from the dreaded sea sickness I seem to have developed.
This trip was booked months ago and now, all of a sudden we really are going! All the shopping, researching, planning, reading, was for this moment. We are hoping for an early meal out this evening, with no alcohol, so that we can chill and get a sensible nights sleep!
It's now 2040, we have just got back from dinner at Pizza Express and visiting various yachts to pass on good wishes and safe journey. Andrew's turn at lucky dip brought forth 6 different flavoured miniature bars of Green and Black's organic chocolate, that will no doubt be ingested on the crossing. AJ has 'Dolly', our handheld Dyson and is doing a quick round of the floor so that we are clean for the off!
This will be my last blog for some time, I aim to continue when we reach Bayona! For those of you reading, perhaps you would be kind enough to throw out a bit of cosmic ordering, wishing us and our fellow ARC travellers, calm seas and speedy crossings? For those of you not reading, I hope telepathy works!!
So, for now, I'm signing off and in the immortal words of Arnold Schwarzenegger from the great Terminator films, "I'll be back".

Sally Dolden




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