Fw: Monday morning 2nd July
Sarah Grace goes to sea
Chris Yerbury and Sophy White
Mon 2 Jul 2007 09:58
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----- Original Message -----
From: Yacht
Sarah Grace
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 9:53 AM
Subject: Monday morning 2nd July 41 51N 22 45W. T shirts and
shorts are things of the past as the uniformly grey sky blocks out the sun
and its warmth. It is decidedly cool and the visibility is often poor as the
clouds reach down to the sea and fine dampness surrounds us. However we
have had a brisk consistent westerly wind sufficient to push us in the right
direction at full speed since leaving the beautiful green Azores on
Saturday morning. 290 miles covered so far and just over 900 to
Plymouth.
It is time to
start acclimatising mentally as well as physically to life ashore in the UK.
This rather daunting Atlantic crossing has been on the horizon throughout
the 2 years away and for the last few months has been the major preoccupation
and focus of my energy. Once this leg is completed there will be no more ocean
miles to cover, no further weather charts to ponder or departure dates to
fret over, boat breakdowns to fix or disaster at sea scenarios to push to
the back of my mind. I've just read a book by a woman about
her very challenging solo canoe journey down the Niger
river through darkest Africa. She finds that freedom comes with the
absence of worry- certainly an appealing state of mind that is
often elusive at sea.
The
fiesta in Terceira has left a deep impression of an enviable way of life on
that island. It was a massive community event as Iain has said, put on for
the community. Large numbers of people took part in a variety of parades, as
well as music and dance performances, competitions of all sorts and displays of
local activities and produce. All generations took part from the smallest
children onwards and alot of the activities were for children only. A
children's version of the running of the bulls was held using small calves for
them to tussle with. The large crowds were full of people of all
ages chatting and greeting friends strolling by. Throughout I did not
see one episode of drunkenness nor a single
policeman- unthinkable at public gathering in England. This is
definitely a part of the world I would like to visit again.
This watch is now
nearly over and as befits the weather, it's porridge for breakfast this
morning.
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