CATRYN is now safely laid up ashore at Lewisporte, Newfoundland for the next 7 or 8 months. There will be winter temperatures down to -20 degrees and the sea around will be frozen, so we've been liberal with the antifreeze in the engine and plumbing systems. My plan is to return in May next year and continue with our attempt to sail through the Northwest Passage, again via Greenland, but much will depend on the ice conditions in the Arctic this coming winter.
During this summer CATRYN and I have sailed approximately 5700 miles and we have been at sea for about 3 months. She is a superb little boat and well suited to sailing in these Arctic conditions although an aluminium or steel hull would be my first choice next time! Fortunately we avoided any serious encounters with solid pack ice; being GRP she would likely have been seriously damaged.
A number of individuals have given me valuable advice and assistance during this voyage. In particular I would like to thank Doug, Peter, Victor, Robin, Ann and Ceri. We met a number of other yachts in the Arctic also waiting for the ice to melt in the Northwest Passage. The crews of these yachts were always willing to help each other out and we've now become good friends. These are DRINA (Australia), MELODA (Canada), ARCTIC TERN (UK) and SUILVEN (UK).
A special thankyou to my crew on CATRYN: Aaroon, Dai 2, Cath, Phil, Hywel and especially my brother Pete. All joined CATRYN for various legs along the way and all have been excellent. It's been a tough trip I hope they enjoyed their experience on board and will all remember the good times!
A number of my crew have posted blogs here which I hope you've enjoyed reading and some have posted their final blogs. Well, this really is the FINAL BLOG for now. It will be re-activated again next Spring and I can let you know our plans for the coming summer. Thanks for following our adventure.
Dai
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Diolch yn fawr am eich diddordeb yn ein anturiaeth hwylio yn yr Arteg dros y haf. Yn anfoddus roedd y drws i'r ffordd Gogledd-Orllewin wedi cae yn 2014. Gobeithio fyddwn ni trio eto yn ystod yr haf nesaf.
Hwyl am y tro
Dai
