7 days and counting
Thursday 3rd December 2009......
It's less than a week now until we set sail in Impossible Dream. We've been on the island nine days already; me mostly dealing with the logistics and planning (glued to my computer and telephone) whilst Susana has been cleaning stowing and organising the boat making her ready for the 3,000 mile passage. A 60ft boat might not seem that long but it provides a huge amount of storage space; that is all very well but knowing where everything is hidden and is easily retrievalable at a moment's notice is a black art known only to the stower. For example, it's important that I don't wait too long when I request a packet of peanut M&M's at 0200 on night-watch.
Today, Thursday 3rd December, is the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) which focusses on the abilities and achievements of disabled people. I'm delighted that The Independent newspaper have chosen to use my achievements as one of those examples, thank you to them. But I must just say, because it rarely gets said, that whatever I have achieved over the years, it is only because I surround myself with good people, I'm just part of the team. And so long as people continue to take inspiration from following my exploits, me and my team will continue to take that role seriously, it's a real privilege. CLICK HERE for a great article just appeared in the BVI Yacht Guide.
So, what's new? Well, top of my panic list remains the communications satellite dome, or rather the lack of it. Events are changing quickly and no doubt they will change again before I finish writing this blog but, as of this minute, the items are in the Canary islands - only not on this Canary island, but on a neighbouring island. As of 5.00pm tomorrow night, the islands go into a 4 day holiday period which means the next working day is Wednesday 9th December, the day before we leave. The dome is critical to us having internet access which, in turn will enable the tansmission of film footage back to the BBC plus give us access to emails etc. The whole project is built around the publicity the dome will provide, hence my concern.
Neighbours leaving for Martinique yesterday.
Friend (and delivery skipper of ID from UK to Lanazarote) Julian arrives this afternoon to help with a few mechanical jobs that need doing on the boat before we leave, it will be good to see him - our first human, well, I say human (have you met Julian?), contact from home, more folks to arrive from UK over the next few days. Yesterday afternoon, another of our neighbouring yachts slipped her moorings bound for Martinique in the Caribbean. It's quite a moving spectacle as all other yacht crews in the marina stand on deck, waving their arms and blowing air horns to wish them bon-voyage on their Atlantic crossing - I know that may sound a bit "wet" and maybe it's just us old sea dogs that get that x-feeling in our stomachs when we see fellow mariners putting to sea - difficult to describe really - you either have it or you don't. Just knowing they are on their way and it will be us next week gives me goose-bumps of excitement.
Don't forget to bookmark Susana's Blog; www.sailingsuze.blogspot.com .
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