Last call in Las Palmas
Regina
Espen Aalstad
Sun 25 Nov 2007 08:54
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28:07.7N 15:25.5W Las Palmas start
We are ready and actually by now can not wait to
get going tomorrow across the starting line and into the big blue. The farewell
fire works is just finished and outside a cold wind of 25 knots makes St. Lucia
all the more tempting.
 Crew is complete. Grandfather
Kjell has arrived from Norway (with also a bag full of food we want and miss).
Ole has come from Sweden with lot's of sailing experience in his vains and from
four Atlantic crossings. So far, his stories from merchant marine is
entertaining and many...
 Magnus and Einar left Friday and are happily with
their cousins at Grandma eating waffles. In the end, with Einar's sea sickness
this is better for them ...and us.
They will both go to school and get a big dose
of reality, even the first snow.
Before they left they still felt like real ARC kids
having participated in dinghy races, Optimist course and met new friends. Much
needed when Mum and Dad has not been too attentive.
Great fun at Don Pedro's dighy race. Elin
and Espen represented Regina
 It has been a long week here of planning,
preparations, social events and a few disappointments.
We have too much food on board probably, but
stil count on 17 days at sea. The trick has been to have a good list to
avoid the impulse purchases and fit the basics first such as 70 liters of
juice or 100 slices of cheese. Still, we happily bumped
into Ikea yesterday and got almost
homesick....uuum Christmas ham and pepperkakor now loaded. Ole and Kjell have
found better fishing gear so maybe we can avoid canned food
altogether.
Provisioning has actually a good network here from
all the previous ARCs from ordering frozen food in vacuum packs to deliveries at
the port. Quite a sight when boxes upon boxes arrive on the pontoon or when
people wash apple by apple before it comes on board. We are more
relaxed.
We had counted on far too much work on the boat for
here with appointments made well in advance. They seem to be worth nothing as
instead there is a sad system of signing up and waiting on your boat
until the provider comes. Our spinnaker pole has arrived and despite
Jeanneau ignoring us, it is up and test sailed. Big thanks to Eirik on
Luffelia.
All security measures are in place and Raymarine is
simply outstanding in providing customer support. Our solar panels are
not top shape as the electrician has never showed and a few other
matters has to still wait.
The seminars have continued this week with my
highlight being the first aid and safety demonstrations. Einar and Elin enjoyed the one on "how to spot whales". The
ARC organizational machine is actually quite impressive down to check out and
skippers briefing today.
Live demonstrations on life raft. Einar
gets a first hand feel just in case.
 Tonight we have had a three course dinner on board
before we start leaning over. Last safety preparations are dinner conversations
while crew is quite relaxed. Elin and Regi even had a Christmas hair cut today
for the first time in months.
Tomorrow 240 boats will leave between 12:30 and 2.
The heavy wind will make this interesting......
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