So there it goes. 2020 consigned to the dustbin where it belongs. But then we thought. "Was it really that bad?" We crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Not many people can say that. And our calculated crew risk proved very successful with Irish John and Mariel fitting in seamlessly. Maybe one day we'll get another opportunity to sail together on Cappoquin or on Mariel's new boat.
Next stop was to be Colombia where Jack and Fizzy on Carpe Diem were waiting for us and their storm drogue that we were bringing with us. It was not to be. Colombia locked down hours before our departure from Martinique and we scampered south overnight to Carriacou.
In no time we had joined half the world in lockdown. But our lockdown was in beautiful Tyrell Bay. For weeks we couldn't leave the boat where we were anchored a couple of hundred metres offshore along with up to 100 other boats. We heard them all on the radio and formed our own opinions of them but never met until slowly things relaxed. English Rose, Victoria's Ghost, Milly, Deuces, FlyD, Pontea and all the others became our new best buddies with invitations to visit amongst others Colorado, Belfast, Toronto and Cornwall in the future.
For a change we were in the same place for many weeks and we got to know a bit of how the island works and some of the characters that make it so special. Diane of Lumbadive, Sally and Paul, PoPo and Dexter the gas bottle man. We watched and waited anxiously for SS Amelia to arrive. Would the food arrive from Grenada this week?
We were then torn between staying in Covid free Grenada on Mehalah or returning to the UK to take some of the pressure off my brother and his wife who were providing increasing levels of support to my 92 year old mum. Finally the airport reopened, we sailed to Grenada main island, hauled out and put Mehalah to bed for who knew how long. Barbados airport was empty but the flight to Gatwick was full. A new Covid dominated world awaited.
And now, after a Christmas like no other, without either daughter allowed to visit, we are unlikely to return 'home' for several months. The UK has gone into Level 5 lockdown (NHS unable to cope, stay at home, meet just one person outside to walk, international flights banned), positive cases are rising exponentially and we have almost 1,000 Covid deaths a day. We had hoped to fly back next week and indeed our barrel of boat bits has shipped and will arrive in Grenada tomorrow. [Thank you Paul and Jenny for agreeing to collect].
With the new strain running rampant Grenada has closed its borders to UK arrivals and before long I can see vaccinations being required before entry is allowed. If Boris is right we get our first jab in March and the second 12 weeks later. And then it's hurricane season again. Did we make the right decision to return? I really don't know. Meanwhile we pass the time restoring the local canal, keeping fit, following the Vendee Globe and caring for my mum.
Add in Brexit which means only 90 days are now allowed in French Polynesia and our future Pacific plans may have to be delayed.
But we are all well, there is little sign of my prostate cancer returning and we will make the most of our enforced confinement.
Happy New Year to you all wherever you are.
JnG
A life on the ocean wave, A home on the rolling deep,
Where the scattered waters rave,
And the winds their revels keep!
Like an eagle caged, I pine
On this dull, unchanging shore:
Oh! give me the flashing brine,
The spray and the tempest's roar!
Once more on the deck I stand
Of my own swift-gliding craft:
Set sail! farewell to the land!
The gale follows fair abaft.
We shoot through the sparkling foam
Like an ocean-bird set free;—
Like the ocean-bird, our home
We'll find far out on the sea.
The land is no longer in view,
The clouds have begun to frown;
But with a stout vessel and crew,
We'll say, Let the storm come down!
And the song of our hearts shall be,
While the winds and the waters rave,
A home on the rolling sea!
A life on the ocean wave!
Epes Sargent
