The Big Day Arrives - Departure!
Niord's Big Adventure
Tony Gratton
Mon 4 Dec 2023 11:39
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Sun 19/11/2023 Las Palmas, Gran
Canaria
Finally, finally, finally, and after a superhuman
effort, we are ready! We have joined the other crews who for days now have been
looking relaxed and contented with their preparations while we looked enviously
on.
We do a last fill of our main water tank. It is expected
to last for two days, then we will be on a strict minimum water ration of a
maximum 3L per day, compared with the 120L per day an average shore side person
uses. For two days we can use as much water as we like. The situation will be
monitored closely as our crossing depends on it. Water has gained its own column
in our expanded log book!
We listen in to the last ARC broadcast. Tony sets the
radio onto dual watch on 72 and 16 as instructed. A team photo is taken for us.
Our lines are ready to slip. For the first time since we left the UK, we have
time on our hands to enjoy the sun and soak up the atmosphere.
We slip at 1130 behind our friends on Tanoa, and then
join the most enormous queue of boats trying to leave the marina! The entrance
to Las Palmas marina is narrow, allowing only one boat at a time to pass. Our
fleet is 160 boats or so, all trying to leave at the same time. It's crazy!
Boats are filing in three and four abreast, one hundred footers jostling with
the likes of us for space! Onlookers crowd the harbour walls on both sides of
the entrance to wave us off. The ARC yellow shirts are there too. Horns blare,
and some wag plays "Highway to Hell" at full volume! We are proud and excited.
Eventually we make it through, and things calm down a little, though boats are
streaming past on both sides. Karen produces a cuppa for us as a diversionary
tactic. Jamie is busy filming everything. We slowly make our way out of the
massive harbour, raising our main on the way as we head into wind.
Leaving the harbour proper we motor sail into the melee,
making our way to the back of the fleet and heading to windward to position
ourselves ready for the start line. There are three starts. First is the open
class of big boats. They are impressive as they head over the start line. Next
is the racing boats and catamarans. Finally, it is our turn. Ten minutes
to go and we are under sail. Five minutes. Then we are off! Next stop Saint
Lucia!
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