Current position "14:04.5N 60:56.9W” i.e. the end – we are now berthed in Rodney Bay Marina, St Lucia – some 2844 nm travelled since Las Palmas, and 4868 nm since Clearlake II left Portsmouth Harbour in July. Land was sighted at 0615 hrs this morning. It was a beautiful morning – no wind to speak of so we had to motor in until the last stretch which we sailed across for the finishing line. It’s a great feeling to have made it – after all the planning, preparation, breakages, repairs, ups and downs. We’ve had a great time as a crew – I think a great set of complements from action-man [James], fisher-man [Byron], repair-man [Chris] and skipper [Graham]. The attached pic shows us about to cross the finish line.

 

Last night we completed the transfer of a pressure-cooker full of hot beef stew and rice to Kotari – their eyes looked like they were on stalks! We did this by rigging up a block off the topping lift, through which a line passed which was thrown to Kotari and then the stew was sent “down-hill” down the line in a carrier bag which was tied to another block. In the pic you can see the bag just as it is about to reach Kotari. After this we shadowed Kotari for a couple of hours with good wind, each sailing with a tightly sheeted in cruising chute – you can also see a nice shot of Kotari just as we separated. After this the wind started to fall off – we liaised with Kotari and offered to take their three crew off to ensure early arrival, but they decided to stay as the forecast is for enough prospect of wind that they’ll certainly be in by Saturday so meeting their Sunday flights.

 

So a great journey comes to its end. Thanks to all of you who have been following along. It has been great to get little emails from people all over sending us best wishes or comments on the latest progress.

Here’s Clearlake II, signing out.