DAY 12

Shelena
Phil Scourfield
Tue 1 Dec 2015 15:38
14:04.467N 060:57.013W
1st December, 2015

We made the finish line at 1953 and 27 seconds on 29thth November. We
covered the course of 2080 Nm in 11 days 09 hours and 27 minutes at an
average of about 7.7knots. We arrived among the top 10 boats and about 4th
in our class. We are all happy with the passage. It was a fast passage with
higher than average winds in 17 knots plus. The advantage of higher winds
brought steeper swells which in turn causes Shelena to roll to a significant
extent that it was hard to sleep. When we reached our pontoon the champagne
flowed until late in the night! The free local rum was consumed too. It's a
tradition not to leave half used bottles of rum aboard!

Our provisioning has worked well and Helen's precooked meals were a god
send. It is very hard to cook in a galley under rolling conditions. Just
heat the food and eat it in bowls to avoid spillage. Thanks to my darling
wife for that and for be willing to endure hardship aboard to allow me to
live the dream of skippering my own yacht across t6he Atlantic. She said she
would give it a try. Of course, once land fall is but a blob in the distance
there is no turning back. So, for one who does not embrace the challenge as
some of us do, I can only say thank you Helen for your courage and
commitment!

We have some repairs to complete. Mostly to the forestay and pole. Both had
a punishing experience non-stop for nearly 12 days. Petri has given me good
ideas to improve Shelena to include more winches and jammers. This we will
do in the coming weeks. Petri has been a fantastic crew with us from Las
Palmas to Rodney Bay. A very experienced sailor, Petri had not done an ocean
passage before. He is talking about taking his own boat across the pond at
some time in the future. Thanks to Petri for your commitment and for your
excellent sail trimming which made us go faster!

Now is the time to remember Kathryn and Jules too. They joined us for the
first leg only. Both had some sailing experience but wanted to be well
prepared so decided to do Day Skipper to fill any gaps in their basic
knowledge. I salute you for your effort and you were both fabulous on board
helping out with all things. Of course, Mum was especially thrilled to have
Kathryn aboard, but was pretty deflated when leaving us at Sao Vicente. Next
time do the full passage!

Last but not least there is sextant Dave. Always to hand in the galley, at
the winch or on the bow wrestling with the pole. Your witty support has been
invaluable and your cross checking my navigation helpful; even though I did
not always follow it! Perhaps I should. Who knows? Good luck on your own
passage next year. I am pleased to feel that you consider you have
benefitted from your time with us on Shelena.

It remains only to thank you dear reader if you have been following my blog.
The funny thing is that I have no idea how many may have been following us.
It matters not. We have just had a special experience. It was not easy; but
the best things in life, in my humble view, are often a struggle!

Goodbye from Shelena. I will resume my blog early next year when we depart
St Lucia to explore more of the Caribbean.

Phil