The start

Neroli
Charles Tongue
Mon 24 Nov 2008 14:24
26:32.00N 17:01.65W
The start.............
 
 
    
Graham, Charlie, Lou and Henry
 
Sunday, 23 November dawned with a completely different atmosphere in the port of Las Palmas with last minute preparations and fond farewells with big hhugs and kisses for Francoise, Nick and little Charlie. Just as lines were bing cast off a very Spanish brass band marched the length of the quay and then along our pontoon! 
With many spectator boats milling around the start area Neroli's skipper elected to keep away from most of the fleet in clear water. The racing fleet started successfully at 1240 and a few minutes after the 1300 start for the cruising yachts Neroli crossed the start line. She is heavily laden and it has to be said that we did not immediately rush through the fleet. 
 
      Thestart ARC 2008
 
Very soon however we were flying our spinnaker and by the time we dropped it at nightfall we had at least 85 yachts behind us. Sunday night was beautiful with a magnificent array of stars and the lights of yachts heading south west. Today the wind is lighter and we are flying the kite and still have a few yachts in sight. Weather forecasts are warning of a difficult time ahead with a mid-Atlantic low developing. We will continue to head south towards the Cape Verde Islands until the picture becomes clearer.
 
1430 24.11.08