The far side of the world!
Bamboozle
Jamie and Lucy Telfer
Fri 11 Aug 2006 02:42
Just a quick note to let you know that as of early
this morning we have sailed exactly half way around the globe. We are now 180
degrees west (and east!) of Cape Town and the shortest way back is
forwards. We have logged just under 15,000 nautical miles (27,000 km) and 79
nights at sea. I know it doesn't look like a very impressive rate of
progress next to Ellen MaCarthur or the Volvo racers but we have stopped in
many more beautiful places than them and I am sure we have had a
great deal more fun.
We continue to experience a wide range of emotions
from bliss to terror, we have surprised ourselves with what we can doand
frustrated ourselves with things that we can't and most importantly we
have cried a little, and laughed a lot. Lucy has been a
star and I can't thank her enough for turning my lifelong dream into a
daily reality. It is not always an easy way of life but on the few
occasions when she is not wearing her happy face then the brave face has always
stepped in to replace it.
Generally it has been the most wonderful experience
and it is hard to express the enjoyment and excitement of the trip and the
interest and beauty of the places we have visited. We have also met some
wonderful people and it is a special feeling to live within a group, who not
only take responsibility for themselves, but also look after each
other.
Anyway, we are now anchored in an
atoll called Suvarov (or Suwarrow) in the Cook Islands which was the
home to Tom Neale a New Zealander who lived here alone for many years in the
1950's/60' a bit like Robinson Crusoe. He wrote a fascinating book
describing his experiences called "An Island to Oneself" which I have just
finished reading and it is probably one of those rare places on the planet
where almost nothing has changed. The nearest inhabited island is over 200
miles away so this really is the South Pacific Island to get away from it
all......except you can't get here unless you have got your own boat.
We covered the 685 miles from Bora Bora in a smoking 4 days and are now looking
forward to a cold beer and a long sleep.
Goodnight!