Mid-Atlantic Musings from Leonard, a long time mariner

I could not have asked for a better skipper and crew to make my Atlantic crossing with. Even if I could and did, little good will it do out in the middle of the Atlantic with no one to answer my call. I signed on this trip with promises of DVD movies and popcorn every night, instead I got the most spectacular sunsets and sunrises along with the entire cast of celestial stars. Dolphins, whales  and the occasional turtle swam past us along with various seabirds which I'm yet to properly identify. I was hoping to see an albatross, those far reaching seabirds that are supposed to be the souls of long lost at sea sailors. I stood solitary watches at nights and drifted into conversation with Magellan, Sir Francis Drake, captain Cook and the like. Strangely never with Cristobal Columbus, someone I do not necessarily hold in high regard. I spoke with all my family and friends, including my parents, all who had past on from this life. Occasionally some of them spoke back to me.
The Skipper had prepared well for this epic voyage. Not only was he a Royal Navy Dartmouth graduate but he had spent his entire life sailing yachts with his dad and others. His wife was his first mate and just for the record his only mate on this trip. She punctuated the long days with delicious hot meals and on occasion freshly baked bread from her 'Force 10' stove mounted on gimbals. Nothing can beat the smell of coffee and bacon on mornings after a wet cold night on watch. Hot meals of meat and potatoes, chili and rice, baked turkey, roast pork loins, buffalo wings, Pedro's artisan sausages, stir fried rice etc punctuated our days.
Must admit that there were times especially with a 34F water temperature, 30' high waves, 30 knot winds, cold rain and seas that felt as if a bucket of cold water was being emptied over my head every 5 minutes for hours on end while on watch in an open cockpit...that I wondered what was I doing here? Certainly not for fame or fortune.
It really was a journey of self discovery. Why did Banwari man or his descendant the Caribs and Arawaks venture far out from land in open canoes. Don't really know the proper answer except to say because it was there to be done. Will I do it again? Maybe another ocean. Right now all I can think about is being back with my family including time with my grandkids. I missed my dog and my flower plants.
Not sure how long that will last before my  wanderlust returns.

Celebrations around the world!

After a month of non-stop sailing from Antigua to England via the Azores, S/V Legacy and her crew have safely arrived in Falmouth, England.

 To say that it has been the adventure of a lifetime is certainly an understatement. 

Once they crossed the Azores and started heading towards England, the wind began to play a game of cat and mouse with the boat. This continued until Friday, the 29th of May when they finally found the westerly wind. I guess you could say this wind was infamous because boy, was it brutal! A wind from the west which gusted to 30 knots had the vessel surfing 10 foot waves and clocking speeds of over 10 knots. 

By Sunday June 1st, the weather began to get wild; Legacy experienced 20 foot swells and managed speeds of 11 to 12 knots coming down the face of the waves. Captain Williams remained undaunted and determined to complete the entire journey under strictly sail power. Storm force conditions hounded Legacy until Tuesday June 2nd when shore support received the following message, 

"OK on board... wind 29 knots, surfing 8-10 knots, wave period 8-9 seconds. Seas big, sailing on reefed jib only".

Wednesday's weather improved, and Legacy and her crew continued their approach to Falmouth, entering the busy shipping channels. The countdown began as crew members obsessively tracked their final approach into Falmouth, messaging back and forth, happy that the end was finally in sight. On Friday 5th of June at 1924GMT, the team's UK contingent warmly greeted Legacy and her four man Atlantic crossing team with champagne upon their arrival in Falmouth, England. 

Legacy, always a sight to see, sailing into Falmouth Harbour

The British team awaiting Legacy's arrival 

They even did a little fishing at Lizard point, waiting to escort Legacy in

A happy crew, anxious to step foot on shore

Nicole, eating a well-deserved meal 

Len and Reggie celebrating with some good English food

Some of the Trini crew having drinks to the boat at TTSA

Len's family celebrating in Canada, thankful for a safe passage