Ellen Macarthur Trust

We made it....!!

We made it....!!!
 

Firstly, my apologies for "radio silence" - it's 1230 local time here in Tortola (1630 GMT) on Monday 11th January. This is the first opportunity I have had since arriving last Thursday to access the internet and download my emails (all 1,123 of them) plus look at all of the amazing (and I mean AMAZING PR ccoverage - Holy Moly, I had no idea how much coverage we were getting).

 
Secondly, I simply do not know how to convey in words my complete and utter heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone of you who have sent messages of support - it is simply overwhelming, both emotionally and physically - I have no idea how I will ever be able to respond to you all but I will try.  It has taken me nearly 3 hours this morning just to skim read them and they are so touching, I hadn't realised quite how much of an impact this project has had on people's lives around the world, from Australia, to Russia, USA, Japan, Turkey, Phillipines, UK etc., it goes to show the power of the media and the reach of the BBC - thank you Mark and STRATOS, this would have been nothing without you, thank you so much (and FEDEX).
 
Well, hours after posting my last Blog posted the morning we were due to arrive, we rendezvous'd with our welcoming flotilla between the islands of Norman Island and Peter Island, about 5 miles south of Tortola - I put up my huge Union Jack (which I hope you saw in the pix). It seemed so strange to see Elaine & Tim again in the support boat, it had been 4 weeks to the day we waved goodbye in Lanzarote. It took an hour to slowly make our way around to Cane Garden Bay, the final destination on my trans-Atlantic journey, the scene of my accident 25 years ago.  I was advised to do a sail-past along the beach so, under engine and mainsail, I made my way along the beach about 100 metres offshore. What I hadn't realised is that everybody on the beach, some 1,000 people or more, knew of my arival and were on their feet cheering and waving, shouting my name.  OMG - what a buzz that was.  It took a few minutes to sink in properly but when it did, I was quite overcome with the moment - having not slept for nearly 40 hours, nor eaten properly for days (Lack of cooked food due to power problems), plus general fatigue and the emotion of it all, I guess it was no surprise.  After dropping anchor and officially making landfall, Elaine & Tim were allowed on board.  It was wonderful so see them again although it would be some hours before I could kiss Elaine as, within moments, she was in a foetal position, curled up on the deck of Impossible Dream being sick. And you thought Susana was bad? You ain't seen sea-sickness until you've seen Elaine; totally incapacitated, unable to talk, vomiting, let alone move - not pleasant.
 
After popping the Pol Roger, we hoisted anchor and made our way around to Soper's Hole, a journey of about an hour but Digby still managed to slip in a few more BBC interviews.  At Soper's Hole, I was advised that my berth was alongside a busy quayside between two finger pontoons and I was expected to reverse in - not so bad you might think, but I've only ever "parked" ID once, and that was on a long pontoon in the CV islands - this was 10x harder, made worse by the tiredness and hunger outlined about. Luckily, it was without incident and a huge relief that I had parked Mike's boat OK.  It was my first opportunity to go ashore since leaving the CVI's and boy did it feel weird, the world was wobbling for hours before I finally got my "land wheels" - either that or it was the massive Pussers Painkiller which was thrust into my hand on arrival. What a terrific welcoming committee and that evening, Pussers rum kindly sponsored a Painkiller Party on ID - guests included the Governor, David Pearey himself, the Hon. Minister Dancia Penn who is the Deputy Premier of the BVI, the head of the BVI Tourist Board plus many others, too many to name - it was a great honour to be "welcomed back to the BVI" by both Governor and the Deputy Premier - in fact, a reception at Government House is being held in my honour this coming Friday with a guest list which reads like a "Who's Who" of the BVI - advance thanks to the Governor for giving his permission for that. My son Tim also has reason to thank the Governor. When I explained that Timothy would miss another week of school due to our late arrival and subsequent extension of our stay, he advised that if Timothy needed a note of absence for his Head Teacher at Swanmore Primary School, as the Queen's representative here in the BVI, he would be only too pleased to provide one.
 
Mike & Martine, owners of ID arrived Friday evening but it was Saturday morning before they got to see ID and inspect her after her 3,000 mile journey. I was somewhat embarrassed by some of the damage caused by my wheelchair to the lovely woodwork and the boat needed a good clean, but Mike was generous stating he had thought it might be "much worse" - actually, is that generous or heavily sarcastic?
 
We said goodbye to Susana and Digby yesterday which was obviously difficult having been through so much together - Susana has been on the pay role for just over 6 months now and this has been as much of a journey of discovery and overcoming personal challenges for her as it has me and, quite frankly, I'm not sure I could have done it without her. Luckily she has as indominatable spirit and healthy "bloody minded" attitude, it's just a shame the motion of the boat meant she failed to enjoy so much of the experience whilst at sea, but she hung in there and never failed to help me when I needed her assistance. And if you ever need someone to stove the head in of a 25lb fish, Susana's your girl. So how bad was that incident? Well, bad enough for the BBC to cut the scene for fear of protests from animal rights supporters. We were still finding blood spatters on the boat a week later. And as for Diggers? Top man. Great company, superb cameraman/producer (as you have all witnessed) and perfectionist cook, but if I ever lose another fish off the line because of his "faffing" around trying to get a "good shot", I will insert my fishing rod in places even his "Mankini" can't hide.  It was an honour to have such people on board.
 
So, what now?  Well, I don't think you are going to hear from me again until I get back. I will blog if I can but I have an itinerary in place for me that will keep me occupied right up to the point where we fly back next Sunday (arrive UK Monday 18th at 0800). I have 3 Rotary clubs to visit and talk to this week. I have a boat naming ceremony, a Governor's reception, a day visit to Virgin Gorda by invitation of the BVI Tourist Board and even a spot of SCUBA diving planned for Friday (well, I've got to have a bit of R&R whilst I'm here).
 
Thank you, thank you, thank you again for following my epic journey. Knowing you are there has given me strength at tough times and great pleasure knowing that you are interested in what I have done. Remember there are many disabled people coping with their own "Atlantic challenges" on a daily basis that also require care to live their lives - just because they are not front page news does not mean they don't exist - I hope in a small way, my adventure has helped highlight that. Equally, if you are inspired to achieve you own challenge, what's stopping you? If you are looking for ideas, I'm not sure you'll find anything that gives you the same sense of freedom, empowerment and exhileration than sailing, whatever your ability.
 
Someone said it had been a bit "nippy" back in the UK these past weeks. I hope not so nippy, I won't be able to show off my tan....!!!