Thoughts on 2010
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
Thoughts on 2010
Sunday, 2 January 2011
I sometimes wonder why I’m doing this. Living on a small slow old wooden boat. Either anchored in often uncomfortable places or taking my chances out at sea. Mostly only able to communicate at a rudimentary level with the local people. Being forced to cope with the immediacy of things when something goes wrong.
Surviving in the tropics with no refrigeration. Showering in the cockpit when the weather permits. Very erratic and unpredictable Internet access. Many other oddities that I have become so used to that I no longer notice but that would probably astonish the average suburbanite.
I look at my ageing body and am acutely aware of the fragility of my life. My total vulnerability. An email from a friend who has just lost a crew member overboard. I think of losing Sinbad which is a poor comparison and yet it would be a terrible loss. But my survival chances are probably just as good as someone living in the suburbs coping with the humdrum of getting to the office every day, maintaining a house and family and whatever people normally do. Just the thought of it makes me aware of how much I prefer my situation.
Looking back on the year it has been rather good.
I left my cosy berth at San Isidro in early January and crossed over to Colonia in Uruguay. Meandered slowly along stopping in Riachuelo along with many Argentinian boats enjoying the holidays.
On to Puerto Sauce where I experienced the most spectacular Pampero I had ever seen. A short stop in the lovely anchorage at Arroyo Rosario which involved an exciting passage across the bar when the wind picked up on the way out.
Then a rather hairy storm-tossed sail to Piriapolis. Hauled out there to clean the hull and was lucky enough to get the wobbly rudder fixed.
Had the magnificent experience of sailing on Ocean Tramp with Charlie Porter down to Puerto Williams via the Falkland Islands. It was winter and very cold.
A flight in a small plane across Tierra del Fuego to Punta Arenas and the busses back to Piriapolis via Puerto Montt.
Spectacular snow-covered pass through the Andes from Santiago to Mendoza.
A fast sail to La Paloma where I met up with Roberto and visited his cabaña in the woods.
Back in Brazil. An interesting month in Rio Grande moored at the museum dock.
Stormy passage to Santa Catarina. Probably my worst gale experience so far (in Speedwell).
Wonderful time in Florianopolis where the generous club people lifted Speedwell out to clean and repaint the bottom.
São Francisco do Sul (São Chico) with it’s beautiful boat museum and friendly people. Interesting trip up the river to Joinville YC.
A few weeks in Paranaguá at the vibrant waterfront of the historical district. Fascinated by the unusual local boats.
A trip up river to Antonina in the wake of Joshua Slocum. Ilha do Mel and the scary exit through the sandbar at the river mouth.
And now back in the spectacularly beautiful Baia da Ilha Grande.
It’s been quite a year.