Not sure if anyone is still reading the blogs but i felt as though I had to
make a final entry due to our rather abrupt departure from the Daily Blogs a
couple of weeks ago.
The reason for the abrupt departure was that, 24 hours out of St Lucia our
Iridium minutes ran out! We did buy some more but what they did not tell us was
that the account would take 24 hours to be credited! Not a lot of use.
Anyway, about 350 miles off St Lucia we had a choice to make. The GRIB
files showed very little wind over the 48-72 hours between us and St Lucia. The
boat speed had dropped down to about 4 knots. We could motor the final stretch
which would get us in within 48 hours and take the hit in placings with the
motoring penalty. We had plenty of fuel and the WAGS and rum punches were
already in St Lucia waiting for us. Or, we could sail the last stretch which
would have taken anything from 48 to 96 hours in light and fluky winds but would
not incur the penalty.
Unanimous! Start the engine, lets get on in there!
Crossed the line at 5am in the dark. A bit of anti-climax until the
finishing committee boat congratulated us over the VHF for having “Just sailed
across the Atlantic” which brought it home to us a bit.
We entered Rodney Bay marina in the dark and it was not long before we
could hear the squealing of our welcome committee who were doing their best to
wake up most of the marina! Alongside and having such a special greeting from
loved ones and the ARC & St Lucia people was a moment I will always
remember. I have never had rum and Jeagermiester for breakfast before!
We all had a great week or two in St Lucia after we arrived. Over the next
couple of days we cleaned up and put Chilli Chilli back together. She was
surprisingly unscarred from her ordeal which is a testament to the respect that
the crew showed in looking after our home for three weeks.
Finally, can I say a huge thank you to all the people who supported and
helped us in this adventure, they know who they are. I also believe that an
apology is in order to the WAGs for having to put up with us talking incessantly
about this for the last year. I suspect the odd placating holiday may be
necessary! A big thank you to anyone who has bothered to read our blogs. I
appreciate that the variation in styles could, at time have been confusing. He
is now on the medication and seems to be recovering well.
Before I sign off there is just one more thing to say. Over the last few
years I have been blown away by the love, kindness and support shown to me by
Lucy. So much so, that at sunset one evening on Chilli Chilli, anchored in
Marigold Bay I asked her to marry me. Amazingly she said YES!