Blog#43 I MADE IT TO THE CANARIES... Sally
Cassini's blog
Simon and Sally, Nigel and Catherine
Sun 15 Oct 2023 14:41
| I MADE IT TO THE CANARIES! I still can’t quite believe it, 2500 miles, 50+ days. There have been some huge personal challenges, but with support from everyone aboard, encouragement from home, and lots of prayers, I was given the capacity to see it through. There were numerous times when I ready to leave, but looking back, they tended to be when I was tired, grubby and after a particularly challenging time. I don’t think I shall ever undertake such a journey again but never say never as the adage goes! I think it’s a bit like childbirth…..once it’s over you forget how awful it was! There have been some low lows, but also plenty of highs, so I’m sure son Colin’s advice was correct… "take the highs and lows any time over a constant middle ground”. It’s a fabulous achievement, in a boat that was built to do this, with a husband who has been planning it for at least 20 years! We have stayed in some places unachievable without a boat, seen fabulous natural world sights, even the open ocean at night has me converted; sunrises and sunsets with a clear horizon, stars and planets without light pollution, the utter beauty of our world. From my point of view it’s a massive leap above anything I’ve undertaken before. Although we have chartered at home and abroad for many years I had done very little night sailing previously, hardly any passages of more than 5-6 hours duration, and this was a long time in a confined space away from family, home and friends. Although at times I was frightened and the sailing was uncomfortable, Cassini has kept us safe and secure everywhere we have been. My anxiety and stress everytime we set out diminished the more times we did it and the more confidence I felt in boat, crew and myself. I have leant new techniques, undertaken more tasks and become more familiar with life afloat. Housekeeping and catering have mostly been pretty straightforward. Everything has a place and needs to be kept in it! Tasks do take longer in a smaller space and storage is at a premium, some things are stowed in awkward access areas and necessitate disruption and mess but we manage! Being out of touch for days on end is a challenge in this 24 hour communication world, not so much for world news, which becomes a remote and far less relevant thing, but not having instant contact with family is hard. When we are close to shore we have plenty of data allowance… (even managed to download a couple of Strictlys to watch!), but out at sea, it is very precious and must be used primarily for weather forecasts. All in all, it has been quite the adventure. I’m pleased I accomplished it, proud of myself for sticking with it and amazed at how resilient I can be when I have to be! Roll on The Caribbean leg after others have taken Cassini across the vast Atlantic Ocean. Sally |
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