Into The Mystic - I think we can make this

0416 hours
8th December 2021
223 miles from St Lucia

This is the worst of all the 4-hour watches. When we started this trip the bonus of this watch was that you would experience the glories of watching the sunrise over the ocean at about 0730 hours, there is no chance of that now as the sun won’t rise until 1004 hours today as we travel in our GMT time capsule (St Lucia’s time zone is 4 hours behind GMT).

We are slowly counting down the miles. The wind and the swell are pushing us inexorably towards our destination; we just crossed the 5000 metres depth contour so even the ocean is becoming shallower. Its all relative.

The vast expanses of the Atlantic have suddenly morphed into the equivalent of the M25 (for our UK readers) or the Brooklyn Bridge during rush hour (for our American cousins). We have 5 boats within a 20-mile radius of us, all heading for St Luca and all participants in the ARC.
We are travelling slightly slower than them which is really, really, annoying. (In other words they are overtaking us but I just can’t bring myself to admit to that). I can feel my hand reaching inexorably towards the ignition key for the engine…… they can’t see us , it wouldn’t hurt too turbocharge a speed would it ? It’s not really cheating is it ? Anyway, my hand is poised.

Last night was our stormiest so far - we had sustained winds of 34kts and gusts uo to 40kts - it really wasn’t fun. Our cabin felt and sounded like a tumble dryer with 20 pairs of trainers in it and with the sound being amplified 5000-fold. Result : zero sleep.

We have begun discussing plans fr when we reach dry land. Tony will have an appointment with the X-Ray department but will also be greeted on the quayside by his partner Ngoc who is flying in from Florida. Brad’s family and girlfriend will be there to welcome home the only son of St Lucia taking part in the rally. Jodi is itching to book herself into an hotel and enjoy some downtime and pampering - it seems Henry and myself may be reluctantly invited to join her. If we are lucky. Jodi hasn’t quite decided yet.

I can almost taste that ice cold pint of draught lager thwart will be waiting for me on a bar counter.
Henry feels the same way - we exchange stories about how good it will taste. Its been such a pleasure for me to have my sons’ company for these past 17 days. I don’t think many Dads get to experience this kind of intense time together once your children have grown up. I am on watch at the helm but Henry is curled up in the cockpit some 8 feet away from me - he is in full on Dad Protection Mode. Bless him.

We anticipate crossing the fin finishing line in Rodney Bay, St Lucia sometime early afternoon on the 9th - it will be any brother birthday, so happy birthday Nigel and sorry there will be no card for you this year.

Loved to you all

The Mystics