Magic May Blog
The final Day
115 miles, 18 hours to go
Sometimes the time seems to have gone on and one and on –
minutes seem like years. Then time goes
faster – like when I am busy looking after the feeders or playing catch with
cheese in the galley. This mornings issues are a frayed main halyard
– this could pop at any moment and the main will come down – they don’t seem
too worried as they are prepared for it – they have been watching the blue
string thingy at the top of the mast for a few days – they can see it as they
are using special come to me glasses.
Another Block has exploded – the one that was being used on the
Genoa. They just took it off and put
‘new block’ in their note book.
There is a relaxed feeling this morning – it is the last day
– we think we will get to our way point on the North of the island around 05.00
and that means we will cross the finish line around 06.00 into the marina at
around 07.00 The plan is then to ‘clear
in’ which means official paperwork and all that – clean the boat and begin the
jobs and repairs - then I have to see
the vet so they can see that I don’t have any horrible things with me like
fleas and ticks and they will check that I am well – which I am..
9th December at 03.11 I am just standing down
from watch
It has been an odd day today – mostly the feeders were
making water and talking, reading books and standing watch. There is still palpable tension around and
it seems like an analogy with the rig – strained and tired and chafed but
hopefully holding together until we cross the finish line and moor up in Rodney
Bay
When we came on watch we could see the lights of Martinique
and Mark and Tina talked about how they were going to have Christmas with Marks
son Gareth there – I think we will all enjoy being with our families again – we
have missed them.
Tina says that she had wondered if having 3 skippers on
board would have created issues. One
person’s decision on course or trimming or the preparation of the boat v another’s. I knew we would all have to work together and
as ships dog I think it is my job to go to whom ever needs a cuddle the most. Tina was saying that it is like when you go
on a long haul flight – at the start of the flight you don’t even notice what
later becomes a mild irritation and by the time you arrive it is hard to
bear. The boat is like that and this has
been a long, long way in a small space.
Everyone approaches things so differently and believes that theirs is
the best way – there has to be support and flexibility but that seems to wear
thin too like the sails. So everyone has
to deal with this in his or her own way.
Everyone finds a way to cope. Perhaps taking some time out – listening to
music or reading a book or just moving to a different space. When the feeders reflect on this journey I
hope it will be good thoughts and memories and I hope they will be proud of
their achievements.
Yes – things broke and needed repair – yes things were done
differently sometimes than some people preferred – some people love to hand
steer and it didn’t matter a jot that the auto pilot didn’t function on certain
headings and for others this was a major source of irritation. Tina is certainly very interested in crew
dynamics and it could well be something to study in the future and perhaps
something the ARC could consider having some guide notes on.
The best thing now is we can see the lights of Saint Lucia
shining in the distance, there is the most beautiful flashing phosphorescence
in our wake like molten stars have fallen under the front of the boat and are
being washed under us. There is the
gentle whooshing sound of the warm Caribbean sea gently supporting us and we
are almost there.. Only a few more hours to go now – then we will all be up to
cross the finish line together and take the boat into Rodney Bay to moor up.
Well Done Team Magic
Now – can I go for a walk please?