Betelgeuse - Wednesday-Thursday 07-08/12/22 DAYS 17-18

A good dose of motoring helped us finally reel in our rival (oops fellow) Grand Soleil 50, IMPULS, who lack a hydrogenator and generator so I guess have been preserving their fuel for battery charging. The engine went off as the wind filled in at 1400 on Wednesday, albeit from the direction of St Lucia, where it has remained as I write this over 24 hours later. Not to worry, BG is superb upwind, with a 2.7m led keel and well-shaped sails. We are adjusting to life at an angle.

Barbados was sighted on the port bow, 25nm away this morning which had Will scampering to his bag to produce a single malt, one dram only (American size naturally) to celebrate. The wildlife is gradually coming out to meet us with boobies, skuas and a variety of other birds, together with the ever-present flying fish, Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish and, at last…….. a decent-sized Wahoo, looking like a large mackerel. This was promptly decapitated by the doctor (question from Claire: “have you done this before Charlotte?”), modern medical students don’t get the same training these days, and hung over the side for a couple of hours before gutting. Roll on supper! We are expecting an ETA of around 0700 tomorrow morning to test the commitment of our families in welcoming us. Entry music has yet to be voted on with the skipper’s “Thunder” by AC/DC not universally popular amongst the crew (Charlotte: “the worst music ever”). I might yet have to pull rank…

We approach our final night with mixed emotions – looking forward to seeing our families hugely but at the same time not wanting to turn the final page on this adventure. For me, and I think all of us, it has exceeded the dreams I have harboured since first casting off in a boat by myself at the age of about 7. We have clocked over 3000nm, to add to the 1500nm from Portland to the Canaries, nothing has broken, BG has looked after us and performed like a true thoroughbred. The crew has come together to form a loving, supportive, efficient team. Much more than that though, we have laughed and laughed and had the hugest fun, we have staired at the stars, wondered at the oceans and pondered the meaning of life. Well, if you want to know the answer you will need to do this trip…!

Thank you Richard, Pete, Claire, my big sister Char, and bigger nephew Will for your encouragement, wisdom, advice, inappropriate humour and the endless list of jobs that you have tackled. It may yet be too soon to ask if anyone is up for the return trip! And biggest thanks to my wife Em, who so willingly agreed to me cashing in most of my pension to follow this dream, and who has been invaluable in the preparation.

Jonnie the Skipper