Tahira - TAHIRA ARC BLOG D-Day 11 [30-Nov-23]

TAHIRA ARC BLOG
D-Day 11 [30-Nov-23]
Location: Mid-Atlantic
Lat: 13.57N Long: 35.34W

Meet the crew: Tony (aka Tig) 'the Dispatcher' Meyer

How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
- Tony is someone who embraces life to the full, is always up for a laugh and a pint of Guinness with friends, and looks for new experiences.

What is your first favourite piece of music and why?
- 'Born to run' by Bruce Springsteen. Tony shared a flat in London in his 20's with his oldest friend Nick. Played at full volume it brings back memories of them getting ready on a Friday night to hit the streets of London, and living life to the excess.

What is your greatest achievement in life to-date?
- My three wonderful children and the love that they have for each other.

What sailing experience have you had?
- Bugger all! Tony has dabbled a bit over the years, and is always up for an adventure. He has learned a lot since joining the Tahira crew, and helping to deliver her to the start line in ARC Gran Canaria. He will now not hand over the helm unless the Cross Track Error is Zero!

What is your second favourite piece of music and why?
- 'We are Family', by Sister Sledge. It reminds Tony of family weddings when all his siblings, children and cousins are ruling the dance floor.

What motivated you do this trip?
- A couple of things motivated Tony, an inspirational female friend and his need for a project that he can focus on and take his mind to a less dark place. He is the most junior sailor but has already developed great knowledge and capabilities and is now looking forward to a different experience, and to seeing what St Lucia will have in store for him after the crossing.
- For Tony this challenge or 'project' is also as much about the preparation - greasing the winches, remodelling the binnacle, building a frame for the solar panels and fitting a new control consul - 240 hours, as it is about the sailing.

What major concerns do you have?
- Tony has never spent any real time with a bunch of men, so this is something completely out of his norm.

What is your third favourite piece of music and why?
- 'Wish you were here' by Alpha Blondie. It is his girlfriend's Debs favourite song to dance to, and inspired 'life and energy', and he also played it at his Mum's funeral.

What have you learned since starting this adventure?
- Tony has learned that his body does NOT smell after a week of not washing :, and that the Squirrel must be an absolutely nightmare to live with as he just never stops!

What does success look like for you?
- To arrive with a smile on my face!
- To have lost a few stone, to be bronzed, to still liking Leonard Cohen after listening to it so many times

What are you running away from?
- The day-to-day.

What will you do next?
- Have a shower - obviously!
- Then book the return trip to the Caribbean

Blog author: Andy Bruce