Fai Tira Blog Sunday 16/08/09

Fai Tira leaves Dartmouth for the Blue Water around the World Rally and ends up in the Helford River 50:06.01N 5:06.99W

Wow what a send off!!!!!  We had arranged to leave Dartmouth town quay at 15.00 on Sunday 16^th or August. 

Having enjoyed the previous nights party with family and friends at Dartmouth Rowing Club.  Lots of our friends had travelled down to Dartmouth to wish us luck on our adventure. (Please note this is not a holiday).  We partied into the small hours and then to bed for the first decent nights sleep for a while.  Fai Tira was all packed and ready to go, all we needed to do was to dress her (put up flags) for the departure.

Judy and I got up and headed for breakfast in glorious sunshine with Judy and our close family at Blackpool Sands whilst John spent a leisurely morning with Dee and family trying to control a mixture of emotions that occasionally took over. A late morning trip down to Town Quay to complete a small final task on board helped to concentrate the mind a little, and a family lunch/birthday gathering was a welcome distraction before taking a gentle stroll to the boat, and one last chance to show the family round and say goodbye and grapple with the feelings of the moment.  

I got to Fai Tira at midday and showed our friends around Fai Tira, most commented how tidy she was, knowing how much we had loaded into her.   (Just for the record this included 72 tins of Baked Beans and 72 tins of Potatoes). 

I spent some time alone with Judy on Fai Tira and cracked open a bottle of champagne and as the emotion got to us we sat in tears both wondering what the next two years would bring to us.

As the time for our departure neared lots of friends arrived on the embankment and thronged the mass of tourists that stood bewildered at the spectacle.  Lots of friends and family then left us to get into a mass of small craft that then gathered around the town quay. 

John, myself and our good friend Pete Durrance prepared Fai Tira for departure, and we cast our lines at 1500 as planned. 

We motored out escorted by a floatilla of small craft all sounding horns and waving.  The yatch club lowered its ensign as we went by.  Even RLNI lifeboat came out and escorted out us as well.  What a fantastic send off. 

We would like to thank everybody who has supported us over the last year and helped make this happen, especially our wives Judy and Dee.  Also thank you of all the good wishes we have received over the past couple of weeks. 

We motor sailed all the way over night to arrive at the Helston River at 0930 on Monday. 

Thanks again to you all.  Bye for now. 

Pete and John.