The past 48 hours have been hectic. Much time has been devoted to provisioning the yacht for the crossing. The ‘rule of thumb’ suggestion from the ARC organisers is to stock the boat with food and water for the anticipated length of crossing (say three weeks) and then add 50% - in case of delays or emergencies. Friday morning was spent at the excellent and colourful local market for fruit and vegetables in Gran Canaria, and there has also been a major delivery of meat to the boat. All of this has to be stored appropriately. Jane, Sally and Venetia have been exceptionally busy. There is a good sized freezer on board, and a fridge, and Venetia spent Friday afternoon putting up a couple of suspended nets to store and preserve fruit. Floorboards have been lifted to stow ship's stores and bottles.
Other pre-departure activities have included ensuring adequate reserves of diesel and engine oil. Fuel is cheap in the Canaries, which – as David and Sally’s Canarian friends Jesus and Monica explained over drinks on Friday – explains the very large number of container ships in the port or anchored off. Large vessels making the Atlantic crossing take advantage of cheap diesel by stopping in Las Palmas for refuelling. Our own fuel tanks were full before I arrived, but we have added some spare jerricans just in case.
I am delighted that there has been some interest locally and among the ARC people over Horatio’s Garden. On Thursday afternoon Clare (the ARC photographer) came round to capture a few images to illustrate the story. I think her plan was to write something on the ARC/World Cruising Club website, but I have been too busy to verify this. Obviously I am not the only person sailing the ARC to raise sponsorship for one cause or other, so I think there may be a few articles along similar lines. In any case, Clare took some nice photos, which she passed on.
Other pre-departure activities have included ensuring adequate reserves of diesel and engine oil. Fuel is cheap in the Canaries, which – as David and Sally’s Canarian friends Jesus and Monica explained over drinks on Friday – explains the very large number of container ships in the port or anchored off. Large vessels making the Atlantic crossing take advantage of cheap diesel by stopping in Las Palmas for refuelling. Our own fuel tanks were full before I arrived, but we have added some spare jerricans just in case.
I am delighted that there has been some interest locally and among the ARC people over Horatio’s Garden. On Thursday afternoon Clare (the ARC photographer) came round to capture a few images to illustrate the story. I think her plan was to write something on the ARC/World Cruising Club website, but I have been too busy to verify this. Obviously I am not the only person sailing the ARC to raise sponsorship for one cause or other, so I think there may be a few articles along similar lines. In any case, Clare took some nice photos, which she passed on.
The yachts alongside Alcedo on the ‘Millionaires’ Alley’ known as the Wall have been envious of our spectacular kingfisher mural, Sarah’s creation. We have high hopes of winning the competition for the best mural – we shall see!
The ARC farewell party on Friday night hosted by the Real Club Nautico de Gran Canaria was a pleasant evening, with substantial quantities of local paella on offer. It may seem odd to hold the leaving party 36 hours before departure, but naturally no-one will want to have a late night tonight. At the leaving party, it was good to catch up with Richard (who had been on the Sea Survival course with me in Southampton three weeks ago). Rather alarmingly, two of the four original crew members on his boat Sarah Jane – a 46’ Halberg Rassy – have already been dismissed by the skipper, leaving only Richard and two newly recruited members of the crew. There are a lot of global hitchhikers in Las Palmas - every couple of hours the yacht is approached by someone seeking a lift across the ocean. Let us hope that Richard and his skipper have good fortune with the lottery of local crew selection. It was also good to catch up again with the crew of Heart of Gold, including newly arrived Jeff from Chicago, who is a neurosurgeon specialising in spinal injury and was interested to learn of the Horatio story. Jeff has Irish ancestry, so conversation obviously turned to visits to Dublin, before being abruptly cut off by the start of the farewell firework display. Unfortunately steady rain later spoiled the party, and sensible crews headed back to their bunks for a reasonably early night. Some heavy rain during the night, which has continued on and off on Saturday morning. There is still not much by way of wind, with weather changing from sunny to rain on a regular basis. The forecast shows very moderate wind conditions for tomorrow’s departure, and for the first few days. It may be quite a slow start.
In any case, preparing and provisioning are complete, and the time to leave is drawing close. The racing boys depart at 12:00 tomorrow, followed by catamarans and ‘special craft’ at 12:30, while the huge cruising fleet starts at 13:00. Depending upon conditions, here may be fewer blogs while ship’s routine settles down over the first few days, but I shall try to update when I can. The waiting is over. It is time to go.
The ARC farewell party on Friday night hosted by the Real Club Nautico de Gran Canaria was a pleasant evening, with substantial quantities of local paella on offer. It may seem odd to hold the leaving party 36 hours before departure, but naturally no-one will want to have a late night tonight. At the leaving party, it was good to catch up with Richard (who had been on the Sea Survival course with me in Southampton three weeks ago). Rather alarmingly, two of the four original crew members on his boat Sarah Jane – a 46’ Halberg Rassy – have already been dismissed by the skipper, leaving only Richard and two newly recruited members of the crew. There are a lot of global hitchhikers in Las Palmas - every couple of hours the yacht is approached by someone seeking a lift across the ocean. Let us hope that Richard and his skipper have good fortune with the lottery of local crew selection. It was also good to catch up again with the crew of Heart of Gold, including newly arrived Jeff from Chicago, who is a neurosurgeon specialising in spinal injury and was interested to learn of the Horatio story. Jeff has Irish ancestry, so conversation obviously turned to visits to Dublin, before being abruptly cut off by the start of the farewell firework display. Unfortunately steady rain later spoiled the party, and sensible crews headed back to their bunks for a reasonably early night. Some heavy rain during the night, which has continued on and off on Saturday morning. There is still not much by way of wind, with weather changing from sunny to rain on a regular basis. The forecast shows very moderate wind conditions for tomorrow’s departure, and for the first few days. It may be quite a slow start.
In any case, preparing and provisioning are complete, and the time to leave is drawing close. The racing boys depart at 12:00 tomorrow, followed by catamarans and ‘special craft’ at 12:30, while the huge cruising fleet starts at 13:00. Depending upon conditions, here may be fewer blogs while ship’s routine settles down over the first few days, but I shall try to update when I can. The waiting is over. It is time to go.
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