Log May 16
Posted by
donna
Posted on: 05/21/07
Log May 16
ETA: around 6-7pm.Forecast: continued 25kn winds with gusts to 30kn through day. Sunshine now. One forecast was for some thunderstorms but I haven't seen a cloud yet. There is a haze on the horizon and the coast is very low here, so I probably won't have a land sighting until right onto it. <10nm out. The night was amazing. Winds absolutely steady as can be.
I did a 20 minute horizon check through the night. One fishing boat spotted right around midnight. I got little real rest but I feel great. I am anxious to fly the regular jib and kick our speed up but as there are still forecasts of gusts to 30kn it is risky. Past experience suggests that the winds will lull around 8-10 am local given the type of gale, but again the forecasts suggest more gusting. Changing sails is time consuming and can waste as much time as I can save with a faster sail however, our ETA is based on my maintaining at least a 4 kn ave. so it may be tricky.
I hate to be pushing the rig at this point. Once into the harbor, my course will be a bit more downwind, a help. The swell has diminished a lot overnight though still a good 8' with occasional set of bigger swell. I haven't ever been around the cut into the harbor with a swell, but still more firsts ahead. Kayaking experience may come in handy again. Very exciting.
Moe Roddy has taken the bull by the horns and become Will Barbeau's lady in shining armor. She will be greeting me with camera in hand somewhere along the bay. Just an amazing woman, sailor, navigator, weather guru. She has been an amazing resource.
Again, Sean Sullivan the Bristol Harbormaster is on call to help me get into the dock with no engine working, and with the weather, would be interesting. Wow!!!! Angie and Lilly will be there along with many others. Hopefully the local gang. New friends. Bruce Burdett, from the East Bay News will be there or close by no doubt. It would be great to have a shot of my boat going under the Hope Bridge, west to east. Don't know if there will be time for that one.
I am getting very excited...I have to say that 'I got my wish" when I really started to focus on trusting and seeing what I really desired as an outcome happen. Winds at one time forecasted to be N and NW, were NE and SW as I had put out there as my desire. Of course I have a world of huge energy humanity backing any dream I dream at this point. The universe is only happy to agree. I have to say, Kevin Rose had a good handle on that from the outset. Thanks Kevin for some awesome weather information. And a kayak trip to be. So many I look forward to meeting face to face.
Trisha meyers, a writer and new email friend will be there today with her son. It will be a great party tonight. I am up for it for sure. The wind is starting to lull a bit, but could pick right back up. A bit of prudence may go a long way. As fantastic skipper and friend, Henry Greenwood would say: "Go have a cup of tea and then see what it looks like".
It is definitely that kind of a day. Hey my KIDS who have let me go!! Let me dream and supported me every moment with love and FAITH!!! It hasn't been easy to have a mom in the middle of the southern ocean, but they never let me know as they wished me only good energy on my journey. Wow!! Fletcher who has had faith in me since I was 16 years old and stood by me as I have journeyed with skillful hands and love.
My Brother, JEFF who has faithfully emailed, texted, and really held a torch in STT. To Scott, my little brother, huge hug and complete support. Brian, the prayer warrior. Jayne, holding me up every day. Mom and Ernie!!!! Abandoned to loving me.
TEAM USA: "Neil! Tom! STtu! Will on holiday!!Tina! MOM!! ERNIE!! WE did it... just a tad presumptuous... but WE DID IT!!! biggest loves to all of you.
TEAM VIRGIN ISLANDS: My home port where I began sailing. Michael, Morgan, Davis, Dan, Ron and Carol, Cindy and Mike, Cherl and Rick, my wonderful brother Jeff, so so many at the boatyards, so so many, Pat and Casey, Peter and Pat, Steve and June, Evelyn Nye, Scott Hotaling, Latitude 18, Molly Malones.
TEAM NZ!!: Jane Pares, Chris Bone, Suz Bailey, Richard Thorpe, Dion Rogers and Angie Diester, Danny Stevens, Uncle Don, Wolf and Doris and so many, forgive me.
TEAM XAXERO and GLOBAL MARINE NETWORK: Jonathan, Roxanna, Luis, Chris!!!! All in Ushuaia, ASyM(sp?) yacht club, Gustav, Laura, Maria Julia, and all the gang, Andy, Mick.
TEAM MTI; LIlly Colby!! The Whole new gang in Bristol!!: Halsey Herreshoff and all at the MUseum, The Town Council, MARINE Industry, Mike Martel, Ted Jones, Jack Walsh, Clark Ryder, Susan Daly, Andy Tyska, Tom Brownell, Sean Sullivan, The USCG, Maureen Roddy, Dan from Harken.The incredible Bruce Burdett and East Bay papers who have had the vision to cover me from my very first offshore sail from Bristol to Ireland. The wonderful Sailing Magazine World all over the World, from Sailing Magazine, Yachting world, to Cruising World, The fabulous Fatty Goodlander, Sailing magazines from countries all over, from Holland, Germany, Poland, and in all those languages. Scott Jones Moosemeals, the Caribbean Compass, which has covered me since the early days as well, All at Sea, Latitudes and Attitudes, latitude 38 electronic, Scuttlebutt and the forums. Internet Sail Magazine through Jane Pares. Gillian Stock who singlehandlely pulled a lifetime of strings to get my name out there and introduce me to amazing people.
The websites all across my logs.
WWW.Oceanswatch.com,'The next phase', giving back to the sea and the earth, humanity!!!! The Boatshow the first weekend in June. The July 4th Parade. This is just off the top of my head. God it is not meant to be inclusive. Jason, for SIMPLIFY. Tom Weathers for Inspired Insanity on my stern. Brewer's Marina's both for my boatyard experience refiting to leave and to Patrick Peck who found a starter on a shelf for me somewhere. The list is forever. There is Ken Barnes!! Cathy Chambers and their families. Wow Dayne Barnes who blessed me so by being at the Homecoming!!!! Ken and Cathy's support has been phenomenal from the moment we met, by email in the southern ocean. His amazing following of special people who have come to follow me as well hve been a huge huge support.
Ken Gourlay who is just finishing his record breaking solo sail around the world. Financial support has flocked in to help me keep the phone going, to get me home from Bermuda. The Bermuda Family. Bernard and Lily Oatley, Brian Oatley, Island Lure fishing boat who helped tow me in. The very Mayor of ST Georges and a fabulous nigth at the 'Bating of the Retreat', Francis and all at Bermuda Yacht Services, All at The ST George's Dinghy Club. From the Commodore Andrew to Jane, John, Jeff and Laura, Sheila, Mark and Victoria, To Tina Rose who's reputation held only the greatest regard and wonderful red carpet for me.
David Furtado and all at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, who also completely supported me and offered hosting and gave me such an open door.
Bear with me. We have all been in this together. The whole email family, Friends for life family, on and on and on, you all know I love you so so much and a million names will come as I ponder on. The Whole family in Ireland, Cape Verde, Musicians. Oh the musicians, my comarades. Cathy and Manny, Ron and Bonnie, Morgan, Paul, Phil, Davis, Channing, Dave. All over Ireland. Phil Robinson, Mick DeHoog, Tcheka and Joey, Pierre, The Tuesday Jam Gang in Greenhithe, Danny, Victor and the gang in Whangarei, Casey and David, of course Reva, Angel, the folk club, Peta, Rick and band at Allambra, my Irish poet, Gerry. Memories flood. What an incredible journey, and it is only just begun!! biggest hugs and ONLY GRATITUDE!!! to all.
The wind has really lulled. I better get more sail flying or I'll be late again. love you all, xoxoxoxo d
donna
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