WE MADE IT

As you might have gathered, we have not had much chance to write up this blog.

Just a quick resume to bring you up to date. A fuller version will be posted on the website www.araminta.org.uk .

After a very hectic few days getting the boat ready and making modifications to satisfy the race committee, we finally got off and across the start line about 2 minutes after the gun. The weather was not good and we had some strong head winds but got there in just under 10 days. We beat the other Nicholson 32 by an hour on the water (a bit more on handicap) and came second in class and fifteenth overall.

After a week checking the boat and being very generously entertained we set off back into what was supposed to be a developing Azores high with no wind. It stayed like that for a day and then the wind filled in from the North. We were hard on the wind for 5 days with wind strength up to force 7. Very exhausting, wet and uncomfortable. Just moving about was a feat of gymnastics, yet alone cooking.

Finally made Falmouth in nine and a half days and were beaten to the line by the other Nicholson 32 by two and a half hours although we beat her on handicap. We came second in class again and third overall giving us an aggregate result of second in class and sixth overall. Not too bad for an elderly cruising boat.

Remarkably, after 2,500 miles (20 days sailing) we were beaten, by the other Nicholson, on the water by just over an hour. On the return leg we were a mile apart after 1,000 miles!

Once back Henry went off to get engaged to the long suffering Amy and I took two weeks to get the boat back to Portsmouth. Since then I have been trying to catch up on work and my life, I have almost caught up on the sleep!

Many, many thanks to all our sponsors for your most generous support.