Date: 07/12/2009 17:06:40
Latitude: 14.03
Longitude: -60.32
Daily Log Number 15, ARC 2009, Monday 7th December.
Position: 14.03N 60.32W
Having been threatened with big winds for the last 24 hours we were hoping for a quick run in to St Lucia. This hasn't happened: what did happen last night was a horrible cross swell that chucked the off watch around in their bunks so much, that it was one of the most uncomfortable nights of the passage. Oh well, almost in!
As I write this it's 8am local time and with 29 degrees at the chart table and more on deck it's very hot. We are now only 33 miles from the north tip of St Lucia and with the four hour time difference we should cross the finish line at about 1300 local time or 1700UTC. A perfect time to arrive - with enough time to check in with customs, have a quick drink and a shower and then off to dinner. We couldn't time it better if we tried.
A quick Happy Birthday to Victoria, Simon's wife - we will make sure that Simon celebrates your birthday for you tonight!
Now that we are so close, or maybe even in St Lucia by the time you read this, can I remind you that it is much cheaper if you are contacting people on board to do so using their normal email address and cellphone numbers. There are plenty of Internet access points, blackberries should work and the majority of service providers have roaming agreements with the Caribbean networks.
Most of the crew have booked into a hotel for the night tonight to unwind with airconditioning and long showers. Our crew meal tonight will be at Spinnakers on the beach overlooking the finishing line: Steve Nelson has brought forward his flight to Tuesday so that he can get his eye looked at in the UK, so this will be our celebration of the last 3 weeks together - don't expect to have too many coherent conversations on Tuesday morning if you are calling one of the crew!
As I mentioned above, Steve's eye has steadily improved over the last few days and yet again there has been good improvement overnight, but in reality he needs a proper ophthalmic doctor to decide what to do next. Luckily Steve has managed to bring forward his flight to Tuesday, so he should be in the UK and having his eye examined on Wednesday. Steve, you've been a great crewmate, your patience and advice with all things to do with computers has been most appreciated. We wish you best wishes for continuing improvement with your eye and a total cure.
As I finish this log we are now 25 miles from our waypoint off the north tip of St Lucia and then it's a half hour run to the finish line. Everyone on board is getting pretty excited and both watches are on deck, anxiously scanning for the first glimpse of St Lucia. There will be one more log after our arrival in Rodney Bay Marina to wrap up the log. For the moment, a bientot, Julian, Northern Child
Land Ho!! Just before pushing the send button there was a cry from on deck - land in sight, brilliant!