It is 0900 hours on 23 November 2008.  The  start of the ARC2008 is less than 4 hours away.  I have been working towards this date since February of this year and it seems almost impossible that, at last, we will be off across the Atlantic, heading for St Lucia.

We are all chatting nervously and carrying out designated tasks to prepare for leaving: Canvas covers off, sailbag undone, halyards attached, bacon and egg on the stove, courtesy of Iona. 

The quality of the food we have on board has been commented on by other boats around us.  Envy seems to be setting in!  The number of tubes of Pringles observed in one of the earlier photos posted on the blog has received comment too.  Healthy eating does not include Pringles we are told.  However, we justify them as having morale-boosting qualities, ease of storage and a daily dose of salt.  Also, as we have many different flavours, they represent a balanced diet! (Tee Hee!).  Over and above the Pringles, there are at least 100 tomatoes.  Yesterday they were green but today they are already bright red and juicy so I suspect they will focus heavily in the menus o the first week!

We have received good wishes from so many people too numerous to mention.  So thank you all.  Next time the blog is written we will be at sea, bobbing along on the crest of a wave.

OK, the start line beckons, if only to get away from the marching band blasting out music on the dock beside us.

Nigel