DAY 18 Part 2 - nearly there

CuriousOyster
Steve & Trish Brown
Fri 12 Dec 2008 13:15
14:10.5N 60:42.2W
Well we are almost there. With about 15 miles still to run we have now
prepared the boat for landfall.
We also find ourselves surrounded by other boats that will arrive either
just before or just behind us. It should make for an exciting finish. Having
said that for us this was a cruise and not a race I have found that over the
last few days I have become more and more competitive and it niggles that
our lack of cruising chute has probably allowed at least a couple of boats
to get ahead. Daft really but we are what we are!!!! In the vent we have
jury rigged a temporary halyard for the chute and are flying along towards
the northern tip of the island with the big purple chute flying. As we round
the island we should be able to keep it flying until at least in full view
of the finish line.
Over the last few days we have all contemplated the finish and being
re-united with our loved ones and it will be a big thrill to see them on the
dock as we approach. But we have also pondered on the peace and solitude
that the last few weeks have afforded us, albeit in the midst of wind and
rain and the need to keep the boat sailing safely. We have had none of the
distractions of day to day life that is the norm. It will be interesting to
see how we all adapt once more, particularly as each of us has different
daily lifestyles to go back to.
Once we arrive things are likely to get a bit hectic and there will be
little time for the first few days to add to this blog. So I will take this
opportunity now to thank my crewmates without whom I could not have
fulfilled this ambition. Given that we came together in a fairly ad hoc way,
some of us with little sailing experience for a passage of this magnitude we
have gelled remarkably well. At no time has there been a moment of discord,
we have had a fair few laughs along the way, worked as a team to overcome
problems that if allowed to escalate could have been serious and we have
shared together a collective dream and experiences that will live with us
forever. They have put up with my Captain Blye moments without dissent,
shared the many daily tasks that are required to keep the boat safe and
sound and I hope that they have gained as much from our time together as I
have. I can pay them no better tribute than to hope that they will come on
the next stage of the adventure (and the next ambition) Bring on the
Pacific!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND NOW ITS TIME TO PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Skipper Steve over and out.

Adrian
Today is very emotional . My journey started with a phone call this time
last year. Do you fancy sailing in the ARC. At that stage I didn't know what
Steve was talking about but after five minutes I was hooked. When you
undertake a journey of this kind you don't really know what to expect no
matter what people say you have to experience it to understand the magnitude
of sailing the Atlantic. A very big thank you, Skipper for including me on
this adventure, my fellow ship mates who made the journey a pleasure.
Each year I try to raise money for a children's charity while I'm off on my
journeys. This year I used this journey to raise sponsorship for EACH. East
Anglia Children's Hospice. This has been one of the hardest adventures to
date for many reasons. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me
and read our blog on a daily basis. I hope you found it very entertaining!
In the words of a famous footballer turned actor. It's been emotional.
Memories last forever, once again thank you Steve and Trish. Pacific? That
sounds interesting!

Chris
Well the moment arrived when we could just see St Lucia in the breaking
dawn. The first land we had seen in nineteen days after 24 hours of each day
sharing, sailing ,talking and sometime worrying what we were doing. Well it
has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life and I have had a
few of those! The passage has allowed me a great time for reflection just as
I embark on to the next very different, journey after work. The opportunity
to bond as a team and to have learnt so much about sailing and me as a
person is something so valuable that will stay with me for the rest of my
life. It has been a long way but a very worthwhile one and it recognises
that mother nature is all powerful and a great deal of respect should be
shown to her. Once again my thanks Adrian and Glenn who have been so
supportive and forgiving of my challenges and a really big thank you to
Steve and Tricia for allowing us the privilege of sharing their wonderful
boat Curious. A journey to be cherished and never forgotten.

Glenn
I have spent three weeks with three great guys, people I did not know 6
months ago and now I have come to regard as my friends. We have shared
moments during this passage that will remain unforgettable; we have shared
an experience that will remain unforgettable. I have seen some of the most
magnificent sunrises and sunsets, I have seen night skies so bright with
stars that you might think the gods forgot to turn out the lights. Awesome,
moving, inspiring.

I believe I am very fortunate to have had this opportunity, and I am
grateful to Steve and Tricia for trusting me, a complete stranger to them,
with duties and responsibilities concerning their boat/home. Thank you.

And I want to also thank my wife Heather for her support and love, and for
being at the end of this passage to greet me. I love this lady deeply, all
the more so because she encouraged me to pursue my dream. And hugs and
kisses to my four kids whom I am proud of and love unconditionally - kids,
your dreams can come true. I have dreamed of making this trans-Atlantic
passage for many years and here I am writing to you, after 3200 miles at
sea, because I have been "Living my Dream" for the past three weeks.











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