Peejay - Log - Day 1 Emotions Running High

Eventually you run out of time. The list of jobs still seems endless. But suddenly Las Palmas erupts into noise and excitement on the morning of the start. We've been on L pontoon since early October and have made friends with lots of the locals who live there. They all come to shake hands and wish us well and then go out on their own boats to add to the atmosphere. The send off commentary from the Texaco dock is deafening. The fleet starts casting off and making its way out of the marina. Too many boats - too small an exit - immediate traffic jam. Boats fight their way into the queue - some are impatient and push their way in. Finally you pass the hundreds of spectators lined up on the breakwater. They're all cheering and waving. I look round and then I realise the cheering is for me. I've not experienced anything like that before. I get a lump in my throat and I start to realise that I am about to embark on something significant. The responsibility of being the skipper comes home with a thump. The rest of the crew are all busy taking photographs and videos and living the moment. You don't get many moments like this. Thanks ARC.

Paul & Peejay