One Man, One Boat, 4000 Miles!!!

Tropic 4 Cancer Trans Atlantic challenge is an expedition to sail single-handed 4000 miles across the Atlantic, from the western seaboard of Africa to Antigua. The route follows a defined course along the Tropic of Cancer, which is a circle of latitude running around the Earth at approximately 23 degrees north, and which marks the most northerly position at which the sun may appear directly overhead. Find Out More

La Gomera Update 2

Posted on November 4th, 2013

3ea61c_9775aa3d23022839c386503b1f4ce77aLiz flew out to La Gomera yesterday for a short visit, amazingly on the 8 year anniversary of us flying to La Gomera in preparation for the Atlantic Rowing Race 2005!

We met up with Carsten, CEO of Atlantic Campaigns and the organiser of the Atlantic Rowing Races, the next of which is due to start from La Gomera in 30 days time. The 2013 edition looks amazing – have a look at their website www.atlanticcampaigns.com Carsten and Atlantic Campaigns have been incredibly helpful – being there to watch me in on Thursday, arranging a mooring in the marina and liaising with Andy to talk through repairs to the boat.

We also had our photo taken with Manolo at the Blue Marlin, a much loved and well frequented bar by all ocean rowers over the years. The Blue Marlin has had all the walls in the Bar signed by all previous ocean rowers who have left from La Gomera. Each race has its own corner. Although most of the 2005 year is now hidden behind a jukebox, it was still fabulous to see that the tradition has continued. No doubt the 2013 rowers will be here soon, leaving their own marks!

Speaking of tradition, overlooking the entrance to San Sebastián harbour is a statue of Jesus to welcome sailors to a safe haven. When we were based out here for the month before we rowed the Atlantic, Liz and I would do a daily ‘run up to Jesus’ to keep fit. So we thought it only fitting to do the same 8 years later!!

This time it was more of a walk than a run, but we still reached Jesus before the rain started to come down! After sheltering for a few minutes, we decided there was a bit of a break in the weather and headed on down the mountain – just as it started to really rain!!! By the time we got back into town, it had turned into a full blown tropical thunderstorm – with so much water falling from the sky that manhole covers had been blown off and sewage was spilling out of drains and pouring down the main streets. The TV news later reported that over an inch of rain had fallen in just 20 minutes!!!

As very little gets done in the Canaries over the weekend, repairs to the deck and mast are not likely to start on Haskapa until Tuesday. In the meantime, the sails have been repaired, and various bits of rigging have been put back in their proper places! So long as the other repairs go well, I should still be able to get away by the weekend.