Well readers, I think you are getting the gist of this by now, this is the third entry of our blog for Yacht Infinity of Yar and her crossing of the Atlantic.
I promised on two occasions to introduce you to the crew and now, finally, I will do just that. With three days to go the intensity is ramping up - even the Italians look like they are starting to think about provisioning the boat - obviously that hasn't slowed down the parties!
Our team, as I have said before, are all from Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight. As it turns out we are not alone! A few of the ARC team are from Cowes and one of our speakers today on the art of emergency navigation is from Ventnor. 'Stokey' is frankly bonkers, in a beautiful way. He taught us how to sail at night by the stars as well as many fiendishly clever ways of navigating without, well without anything really, that you would normally consider essential.
So finally to the crew;
The Skipper:
Keith 'Buzz ' Davey is our leader on this great venture into the unknown. Much revered, we call him " Captain, My Captain " from the brilliant film Dead Poets Society, with Robin Williams; in reality he is more often referred to as Captain Mainwaring which I think gives you an insight into his man management skills.
The Navigator:
Dug 'Oz' Henderson.
Sometimes also know as 'Half job Hendo'.
An Austalian and a mathematician he can weald a sextant and apparently also more modern forms of navigation. A vital role on the ocean he shares this with Buzz Davey and sometimes, I am assured, they even agree as to where we are.
He is an adopted, if somewhat reluctant, resident of the West Wight but doubles as our sop to the Colonies and our now obligatory 'give a job to a migrant'.
The Tactician:
Also Director of Fishing.
These equally vital roles are supported by the immensely wide shoulders of Chris "Kipper" Kearns.
He is sometimes also know as "First Bait".
Having purchased a breathtaking array of deep sea fishing equipment he is determined to prove that we can be self sufficient. "Kipper" Kearns has breakfast firmly in his sights but Lord knows how he is going to smoke it (we dare not ask).
Foredeck 1
Edward "Nemo" Davey.
Also known as Ed "Ruby" Davey. This will be explained later when I let you all, dear readers, into a little secret concerning the sleeping (or perhaps otherwise) arrangements that 'Nemo' has been up to whilst here in the 'parc ferme' of the 2017 ARC .
So why Nemo? I can see where your mind is going but actually it is because he is a recently qualified PADI RESCUE diver and is therefore in charge of everything below the waterline should it become necessary as well as being our our essential foredeck gorilla.
Foredeck 2
Oliver "Dude" Davey.
He is also now known as 'Step Aboard' Davey (sic). With his elder brother Oli provides the missing muscle where the older (much older) members of the team fall short. He is in charge of everything above deck.
As a snappy dresser Dude knows the importance of looking good and performs the vital role of making sure that the crew is properly turned out 'dockside'. He follows the simple mantra of Oscar Wilde.
"Dressing well and looking good are essential, a purpose in life is not".
And finally to the First Mate:
Miles "Blogger" Peckham, also sometimes known as 'Part job Peckham'.
He however prefers the moniker of Shackleton Peckham.
Less descriptive, more fantasy, this comes from a belief that he is 'a bit of an explorer'. Given half a chance he will bore the rest of the crew with "Did I ever tell you about when I was..blah, blah, blah..."
Your Author and scribe is a true legend in his own lunchtime.
And so, readers, you have met the crew and together we will set off on this grand adventure in three days time. Everything must be ready; Provisioning is done except fresh meat and veg. Every shackle has been checked and moused; every split pin checked and taped; the water maker has been serviced, the Watt & Sea checked over; every sheet removed and checked, every halyard,reefing line etc. etc.
In the meantime Kipper Kearns continues to add to our ever expanding inventory of fishing kit. Today we acquired a gaff, some more lures in pink and purple - colours that I am assured are favoured by tuna - and some steel traces. Pedro the fishing tackle man lights up with excitement whenever Kipper approaches. If we don't catch any fish after all this ... Either way readers rest assured you will be hearing about it.
We ventured out of Las Palmas last night for the first time and headed over to the other side of the island to a wonderful restaurant on the beach called La Marinera. When paying a visit to the gents your author noticed the sign over the door was 'Cabelleros'. Now you have got to admit readers that Cabelleros has a rather more romantic ring to it than 'Men' - I squared my shoulders and swaggered out feeling like a matador!
Until tomorrow remember: "To Infinity and Beyond "