Grand entrance into Lisbon harbour on D-Day anniversary!
Wishanger2
Brian Bonniwell and Claudine
Sun 7 Jun 2009 19:19
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38:37.95N 9:21.32W
Saturday, 6 June 2009
30 hours of vigorous sailing concluded with a
spectacular sunset arrival into Lisbon.
Conditions from Bayona were extremely challenging
overnight with 25 knot winds and 20 foot waves on a very lumpy beam reach. The
bravery of the crew was tested to the full when a raiding party
was ordered forward in the dead of night at H-Hour to reef-in the
main. It was characteristically pitch-black
with horizontal rain as the first of the 'likely lads' went onto the
fore deck to reef-in the mainsail.
As in the D-Day landings themselves, the
skipper led by example and went forward twice to assist with reefing in the
main. The wind and rain were a good test for shiny new Gore-Tex oilies and
testament to the strength of Wishanger's safety lines.
So, we arrive in Lisbon in high spirits of 'mission
accomplished' and a sad farewell for Rob and Richard.
'Qu fas et Gloria Ducunct!' (where right and glory
lead)
yours ever
The Bravest of the Brave
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