0900 hours Tuesday 6th October, Impossible Dream slipped her mooring lines on the Beaulieu River and began the 3,000 mile delivery voyage to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands where I will begin my journey in December. It seemed really strange knowing that the next time I see ID will be in Lanzarote.
ID at the Royal Southern YC
She arrived back in the UK from Malta early July for her refit at Multimarine in Cornwall but she didn't arrive back to Southampton until the 31st July. Since then, in just 9 weeks, the boat has been worked on just about every day. It's been a busy summer with no time for a holiday with all of the preparations, installing the electronics, calibrating the electronics, working with existing sponsors, checking and double-checking all of the procedures on the boat, the generator, the engines, the sails, learning the various power systems, working with my PR and Comms agencies to maximise exposure of the project plus all the hands-on training at sea. And amongst all that, we had even found time to be at the PSP Southampton Boat Show and had a Royal visitor to endorse the project. The time has just flown by.
Me with John Beardsley, Commodore, RSnYC
The final phase, (it had to be the final phase), was buying and stowing the food provisions in two batches. The first was essential bulk provisions for the Atlantic crossing itself, now stowed, albeit in a haphazard manner, somewhere in the starboard bow locker until it is unpacked in 2 months time (don't tell anyone but it's where we've stowed the emergency Snickers & Maltesers). I can not mention our food-stowing without giving a special thanks to Ken from Bognor Regis Sailing Club for providing Susana and me with a dozen, home-cooked curries for our trip - HAPPY DAYS indeed...!! The second food batch was the delivery crew's food which was stowed less than 12 hours before departure, and what an eclectic mix of culinary delights that was; and I thought I was fussy..!! Having spent over £1,300 on food at various stores in less than 48 hours, I can reliably inform you that Asda's really is the cheapest..!!
1/4 of the Big Food Shop
Talking of delivery crew, I need to make special mention of Julian, Geoffey, Nick, Roger and Jenny who have kindly volunteered to deliver ID safely from the UK to Lanzarote, all in their own time. The owner and I are immensely grateful to them. But also because skipper Julian and his team have given up weeks and weeks of their time this summer to get the boat ready for the voyage and to familiarise themselves with the boat. Oh yes, they have 1 extra crew member on the delivery, well, to Spain at least, and that is my crew Susana who is using the voyage to clock up some extra sea miles, to further familiarise herself with the boat and to generally get a better understanding of what life is like at sea. Hopefully it won't be a "baptism of fire" but the Bay of Biscay can be a bit frisky this time of year.
Left to Right: Julian, Geoffey, Susana and Nick
They have been gone 24 hours and already, an unnamed 3, that's 50% of the crew, have been "feeding the fishes.."!! That's actually more of a comment on the strong SW winds and big seas than their sea legs. Typical, we've had all of this beautiful, unseasonably warm, dry weather for the whole of September then ID leaves and we get wet and windy gales.
The boat is currently in Weymouth waiting on the weather. Website viewers will be able to follow the delivery of ID to Lanzarote. We have a wonderful OC tracker which will transmit regular location reports. Please remember, this a delivery, not a race, and there are specific reasons why the boat is taking the route it is so, can armchair-skippers please keep their opinions and observations to a minimum. To view the location of the boat, CLICK HERE.
This will also be up on the main website homepage today so you can tack the boats progress.
A couple of quick "thank you's". Firstly to Steve Laver for installing our new sound system on the boat and waving all labour charges. Anyone in Hampshire looking for a good marine or auto electrician, then Steve is your man, call him on 0791 941 7969. Secondly, thanks to Dr Mark "Tommo" Tomson and Dr Spike Briggs from Medical Support Offshore Ltd www.msos.org.uk. Not only have they provided us with a custom-built medical kit at cost, fully coded for offshore sailing, but they are also providing us with free, 24/7 telephone support for any medical eventuality on the voyage which is a huge relief.
That's it for now but I'll be giving regular updates during the delivery.
