Farewell from Roger
Shaya Moya
Don & Susan Smyth
Mon 8 Dec 2014 10:14
He had then taken a break before hiring a First Mate, young Tom Pedley from the UK to sail from Auckland NZ to Mackay on the east coast of Australia. This is where I boarded for the first time.
So from there we were three until we collected Dons older brother Ted in Darwin and the crew was complete.
We sailed to Bali, Cocus Keeling Islands across the Indian Ocean to Mauritius, Reunion and on to Richards Bay in South Africa. From there Durban and finally on to False Bay in Simonstown
Western Cape. This is where I disembarked and said farewell to the three guys who will continue in January with the rest of the journey via St Helena, Brazil, The Caribbean and finally back across the Atlantic to Greece in the middle of next year.
And now after four months, 9200 nautical miles (17000km) and more than a third of the way around the planet I hope I assisted in some way with the quest.
What I do have to say is a big thank you to all concerned. Tom Pedley for his company and support. Ted Smyth for his wisdom and enthusiasm. Then Donny Smyth for his singular ambition, attention to detail and great pride in the yacht he owns. Shaya Moya this 56 foot Oyster must also be thanked for her ability to cope in the strongest weather conditions with capability and grace and I don't believe I would easily find another yacht with such assuredness and comfort.
And finally my thanks to my gorgeous wife Gail who allowed me to complete this project and achieve something most people only think about. She held the fort with aplomb and efficiency.
I hope you have all enjoyed the blog and will continue to follow the progress of Shaya Moya.