Page 117 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Salvador to Grenada Grenada to St Lucia

Tuesday 3rd May 2016 and with torrential On Saturday 14th of May 2016 we
rain we left Salvador. The weather sailed into Grenada. The next two
too picked up and became really hot. days were spent repairing the boat and
Constantly changing wind conditions sightseeing the beautiful island. From
meant lots of sail changes but it was all there it was onto Union, an island that
good practice. The hot humid weather can only be reached by boat. It was a
continued and sleeping became difficult. very basic island but the inhabitants
On Sunday 8th of May 2016 we crossed were really friendly with a very slow
the Equator. A celebratory drink was had pace of life. After an overnight stop we
and lots of photos were taken. The Line set sail for the Tobago caves. The area
Harry Hartnett steering in the rigging shade
Crossing Ceremony is known as the ‘Order is well known as a feeding place for
of Neptune’ and is thought to be at least turtles and we took a boat to a spit of
individual people held. We were also able 400 years old. The weather continued hot land from where we had the chance
to set up a fishing line and on the first and humid and as we hit the Doldrums, to swim with these creatures. It was
attempt caught a huge blue fin tuna. An the wind dropped and very little sail an awesome experience. That evening
hour later we were eating freshly cooked changing was needed. Eager to keep was spent at Chatham Bay. Overnight
tuna steaks. More marine life was sighted, ourselves fit a makeshift gym was set up. sailing took us to Bequia, which was
including numerous groups of dolphins. another island only accessible by boat
The weather calmed enough on Saturday and finally another overnight sail took
30th April 2016 for a swim in the Atlantic us to St Lucia. Two hard days were
Ocean. 14 degrees south of the equator spent cleaning and repairing in order
and the sea was incredibly warm. to hand over to the next crew for Leg
10.
Salvador

The next day we sailed into Salvador.
A long stop was on the books as the
Adventure had to have some major
repairs. It was a welcome break and
everyone looked forward to having a
shower and laundered clothes and a meal
off the boat. Monday was spent mainly
doing small repairs to the boat and then
in the afternoon we went sightseeing in Dawn Gibbs repairing the sails in St Lucia Martin Collinson and Alexander Petheridge keeping fit in
Salvador. the makeshift gym
Reflection

The whole experience was amazing
and I would like to thank all involved
from the submission of my application,
the allocation of my grant and to all
the crew members of Discoverer. For
anyone who is interested in sailing
there is no bar to getting qualified in
this sport. I did my competent crew
course in Kiel in 2014 and then took
part in the AGC sailing competition
held in Kiel that same year. I am now
looking forward to gaining my Day
Skipper qualifications in Gosport.
Offshore sailing requires a good level
of fitness; it is tough, challenging,
and scary at times, exciting and also
a lot of fun. It builds confidence and
strengthens team work. Go for it.
Cigar shaped cloud with Bruce Spencer in the foreground

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