Atlantic Rally for Cruisers ( ARC ) Preparations
Flinns
Terry/ Nicola Flinn
Fri 24 Nov 2006 16:54
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28:07.716N 15:25.604W Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
Since Jenny and Andy's departure, we just have not stopped
getting ready for the ARC.
Terry worked hard preparing the boat for its safety
inspection and we very pleased to pass it without a hitch; meanwhile Nicola was busy cooking batches of meals ready
to go into the freezer, doing 6 loads of laundry and planning menus for the
crossing.
After the official Opening Ceremony, where Terry carried the
ARC flag, we watched " Don Pedro's International Dinghy Race ", which is really
just an excuse to pelt your opponents with flour and eggs and soak them to the
skin; even the spectators get soaked, including Nicola !
Every day is busy with lectures and seminars to attend,
supermarket shopping, checking boat equipment, catering and storing provisions.
We also took the opportunity to watch a search and
rescue demonstration which included a helicopter and were able to let off
our out-of-date signalling flares.
Evenings are for partying with a different function each
night. Most nights start with an organised happy hour which is followed by a
party or civic reception. We've also been invited to, and hosted, informal
parties on board, attended a large formal ARC dinner dance, as well as going to
the ARC Fancy Dress Party.
Bob and Eric arrived just in time to make this party and we
all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Our preparations will be complete once we stow our fresh
fruit and vegetables on Saturday morning.
The start is at 1pm on Sunday and our boat number is 202,
which means we are one of the smaller vessels in the 240 strong
fleet.
The largest boats will take barely 10 days for the 2850 mile
crossing, while we expect our voyage to last at least 21 days.
Marilyn and Judy, Bob and Eric's wives plan to fly out to St
Lucia to cheer us across the finish line and spend Christmas with us in the
Caribbean sun.
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