A relatively short race of five days that saw the entire fleet arrive in Den Helder the day before the arrival window, though this time we were allowed to arrive early and weren't sent around the North Sea to waste time.
Cloughy honoured his promise to me that I could helm a start though the conditions were pretty difficult so after crossing the line and putting in a few tacks he took over. After leaving the mouth of Lough Foyle we all headed north east to leave the Hebrides to starboard before going around Cape Wrath on the northwestern tip of Scotland and into the Pentland Firth. Here the entire fleet struggled with tides, currents and variable winds. Boats got stuck in eddies behind islands and when I went to bed in third place I woke up to find we were in eleventh. It was the luck of the draw and those boats that just happened to catch a wind shift were able to sail away and put many miles between themselves and the next boats.
The weather was clear and the views were stunning and it was, at times, difficult to understand that we were sailing around the top of Scotland. Temperatures were high and the foulies were replaced with trousers and sweatshirts as we sailed south past Aberdeen, the Moray Firth and down past Newcastle. Going through the oil fields and then the gas fields of the Southern North Sea brought back memories of working in the oil industry. The rigs and platforms were beacons of light and seen from many miles away, with the support vessels and supply boats plying between them.
The winds eventually picked up and the last few miles were completed at 10 to 12 knots. It was eventually Garmin that pipped us to the post and crossed the line around four minutes ahead of us. Disappointing, but it was a great race in which we came eighth.
While sailing there were lots of thoughts about ending the race and what I would be doing this time next week, next month etc. I am feeling quite sad about ending this 'adventure' but have to think that with every ending comes a new beginning. And what will that new beginning bring I wonder.
I have spent the last week living on the boat in Den Helder. It is where I feel comfortable; sitting on deck and watching the world go by, pottering around doing the varied jobs that need completing before the next race. Gary, Janice and I hired bicycles and have been exploring the island of Texel
and cycling south along the dyke/beach to a wonderful beach restaurant/bar on the dunes. We never got to swim but did have a siesta, lying on the sand, after a rather heavy lunch on one of the days. Cycling around has been a great way to get from one place to another as cycle paths are plentiful and there are no hills. The steepest bit of cycle track has been up and over the dyke down by the sea and that hasn't been particularly steep.
It is now time to say goodbye to Den Helder and to race back to the Thames estuary and London. We set of tomorrow, Thursday, and are due to finish the race on Friday evening/Saturday morning. It will then be a motor up the Thames and to race finish. I can't wait to see everyone in St Kats but I know it is going to be an emotional time.
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