We sat through the chilly rain and gales until Sunday 17th am when the wind suddenly stopped, leaving us just a bright chilly stillness. A quick refuel and we were away for the up-channel dash to the Solent. Anchored in Falmouth roadstead was a newly arrived (from Horta) ARC yacht Chiscos, so we hailed them (a cheerful bedraggled gale-weary skipper John) a welcome and farewell. The first few hours gave us a nice day out with a gentle breeze. The asymmetric spinny is up for the first time in ages and takes us as far as Start Point and dusk. Skipper’s very last on-passage supper (after 9 months of crew-feeding) is a home-made chicken chow mein. It must have been OK because even Ken joined in and managed a second helping, without recourse to the black bucket. Zero wind overnight so Betty Beta called to duty for the rest of the 150 mile passage. Our last full day and night at sea gave us a pleasant 20 hours of passage watchkeeping and ship avoidance, mostly under engine. We just made it into the solent against the growing ebb by mid morning on Monday 18th. We anchor in crazily swirling wind over tide cross eddies at Keyhaven to hide from the ebb tide and for a short snoozelet and lunch. Early afternoon, much hooting, cheering, waving, and blasting, saw the arrival of our welcome committee of Graham, Geoff, & Anne on Shiatzu, another Oceanranger 38, sailing fast around us in impressively tight circles. Their welcome present of a Tiffins apple fruitcake was well-thrown but skipper Mike’s butter fingers saw it lost to the oggin astern. A Fruitcake Overboard evolution was carried out but even the well-sailed Shiatzu failed to retrieve it. Great afternoon downwind sail, in company with Shiatzu, against a choppy tide, for a joint Cowes harbour ceremonial entrance. By tea time we are alongside in Shepherds wharf with all flags up, cockpit table up, rum punch made, small eats out. Shiatzu team arrive with more party provisions. The Cowes Buggy team of sons, nephews, great nephews & nieces, dogs etc, arrive to swell the party numbers and general chaos onto the pontoon. Food and beer follows later ashore in the Pier View.
End (nearly) of a great trip. Almost 10,000 miles in nearly 10 months! And we’re all still talking, and the boat is still in one piece. Skipper, however, looks quite mad and has long wispy sticky-out hair.
Tuesday 19th in Cowes is a quiet break day to visit family and join them for an evening BBQ. Bill Lewis sadly has to leave us as duty calls at home. Michael and crew, brother Ken, plan the final assault on Hornet, at Gosport, on the morrow. With the help of Stewart at Hornet we plan to get Raparee back into a home berth, and so will finally end one hell of a trip. Rod and Christine Chadwick, our very able and supportive local helpers, will be there to meet us. Their help has been invaluable, even to the point of mail sorting, house and admin watching, and getting the car recommissioned and usable.
About 20 countries/islands visited and about 20 visting crew over 10000 miles. Mostly sailing, but also 780 engine hours (about 7 years worth!!). 1.5 tonnes of fuel. Thanks again to everyone who helped with weather, provisioning, crewing, etc and for all your support and encouragement.
I may pen a final postscript later this week after arrival home.I will also try to post some photos on this site once I get on line at home.
Not yet decided on future of blogsite.......further travels are planned........probably Baltic exploration next year.
Slainte
Skipper MIKE
RAPAREE
at COWES
Well done Michael what an amazing trip! You're some man for one man! Your blog has been great.... You need to write a book! xx The Buggy-OToole clan.
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