This thing of doing two blogs in one day is becoming a habit, but not for long more. Skipper is hoping to have the statistics today from mailasail regarding the number of readers at present. and as we will reach Grenada tonight around 02.30hrs , we will have reached our final destination of the World A.R.C. Yes, we will have completed our trip around the world.
Kevin Dwyer sent an early email today reminding skipper of this impending "Final Act" so our last Blog of this most interesting circumnavigation of the World will officially be tomorrow. This marriage will be over.
No more "Buts"
No more "Sheppards kicking their dogs"
No more "Happy Bunnies"
No more "Starlight dinners in the cockpit"
Since leaving the Royal Cork Y.C. Crosshaven, Co. Cork, Ireland on the 24th June 2009:
We have sailed........................................................33,603 nautical miles
We have been to..................................................... 20 different Countries
We have stopped at..................................................98 different Ports, Islands, Villages and towns
We Motored ............................................................5,000 miles approx
We used .................................................................10,430L of fuel motoring
We used...................................................................6,231L of fuel with the generator
We used in total .......................................................16,661L of fuel...............................or 16 tons of Diesel
We really did not know what to expect when we decided to do this trip, and it has proved to be one of the most fascinating journeys of our lives. The places we visited, the people we met, the different cultures, the religions and choir singing, the weather patterns, the sea, ohhh that volatile sea, from pure bliss to sheer misery (all in one day at times).
But above all, the crew which changed from time to time and are listed below played a huge part in the enjoyment of the trip.
From Crosser to Las Palmas we had at different times the following :- Rom Hyde, Denis O'Sullivan & Vera Herlihy, Pat & Ann Lyons, Dermot Lovett, Sarah Hyde, Arnaud Disant, Johnny & Leah Mc Kenna, Terry and Colette O'Sullivan, and Helen Cadogan.
From Las Palmas for the ARC to St Lucia, we had Dermot O'Meara, John O'Connor, Mark Newenham & Jenny Brierly, & Skipper.
For the World ARC, from St Lucia around the World and back to Grenada, we had at different times, Donal Mc Clement (6 months) Kevin Dwyer (2 months) Grattan & Richard Roberts, Margaret How, John Chesborough (Scotty), Niall & Mary O'Rielly, Neil Tritschler, Terry & Collette O'Sullivan, Sham & Emily Riordan, Suzanna Buraca, & Daniel Hearsum.
The World ARC were great and in particular, Rally Control - Paul and Suzana played a large part in the success of the overall trip. Not just for us, but for the whole fleet. Well done!
Well, that's it for this afternoon, our second last day.
Signed :- Stephen Hyde ( Skipper )