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antigua--here we come!

1/16/2013

7 Comments

 
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"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
While waiting for favorable weather, we have had a little time to reflect and quite frankly too much time to to share sailing horror stories and talk about the long long list of things that that could go wrong during this upcoming passage. Enough!  This quote from Mark Twain that Alan's nephew sent him was helpful in putting aside any doubts and fears we might be harboring.  

Monday evening we organized a gathering at the marina’s watering hole for anyone who was planning to cross this week.  The skippers and crew of 13 boats turned up (I’m sure my Dad will smile when he reads this as he knows that 13 is my lucky number) and we exchanged satellite e-mail addresses and phone numbers so that we can stay in touch if necessary.  
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The marina gathering place
Most of our ‘mini-me’ ARC is setting off today as is Taka Trois.  We plan to cast off our lines towards the end of the morning after a few last minute preparations. We have a sailor’s forecast of ‘fair winds and following seas’ although apparently there will be some large swells at the beginning of our crossing.  Hugo Vihlen, a single-handed sailor who set world records by crossing the Atlantic Ocean in two tiny sailboats in 1968 and 1993 once said, "I don't know who named them swells. There's nothing swell about them. They should have named them awfuls"  I quite agree!

But we have a the beginning of a waxing moon, so if God gives us clear skies we will have some light at night which is SUCH a blessing and something we rarely thought about as landlubbers.  I never thought I’d say this, but over the last few days there are moments when I actually missed the calm and peace one gets under the starry host with a rising moon in the middle of the ocean.  Well, I’m certainly going to get my fill of that over the next two weeks!  
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Catamaran Marina, Falmouth Harbour
So we’re off and God willing we will reach the other side in about two weeks where Alan’s wife, Shelagh will hopefully be waiting for us on the pontoon of the Catamaran Marina in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua.  Until then, we’re going to enjoy the ride for when all is said and done “there is NOTHING–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Kenneth Grahame from The Wind in the Willows.

7 Comments
Jean Bernard
1/15/2013 11:45:36 pm

Enthusiasm and lucidity, these are the two words that come to my mind, reading your blog !
What a balance, Go on !
I am confident, expected and unexpected, you will master and enjoy every moment of the trip !

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Judith
1/16/2013 12:14:28 am

We will be thinking about you during those two weeks, everything will go well. Sending you good vibes, have fun and enjoy every minute of your crossing !!! With our love,
Judith et Bertrand.

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aunt kathe
1/16/2013 03:43:20 am

You'll be fine...enjoy this wonderful, precious time in your lives. You have lots of prayers and good wishes and there is probably an Angel somewhere in the rigging going along for the ride. Love You

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GERBER Alain et Lysiane
1/16/2013 04:26:16 am

Avec un voilier comme le votre, il ne peut rien vous arriver de fâcheux. Le plus rassurant, est de ne plus voir la terre, puisque les écueils sont... sur les côtes. Profitez bien de ces deux semaines (ou plus).
Vous en aurez des souvenirs inoubliables. Bon vent, belle mer, nous serons avec vous par la pensée." Marraine Lysiane et Parrain Alain

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GERBER Alain et Lysiane
1/16/2013 04:29:12 am

Nous sommes déçus a la lecture de notre message. D'où proviennent toutes ces fautes ? Bises de nous deux

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Alain et Lysiane
1/16/2013 04:33:10 am

Miracle ??? La " traduction" aurait rectifié...???
Laissez vous bercer par l'Atlantique, c'est une traversée sans risques.
N'oubliez pas de mouiller une ligne, et envoyez nous la photo de votre première prise. Bises à tout l'équipage.

Reply
Dawn
1/16/2013 02:18:40 pm

Psalms 121:7,8
"The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

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    Debbie is first mate of Taka Trois as well as head cook and chief provisioning officer. 


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