Round Britain In Shimoni 2014

Having counted the pennies in the collecting tin, it has been found to contain £186.33 (of which £40 was distinctly Scottish), €1.10 (?) and TT$1 (which is one Trinidadian Dollar). I think the only crew member hailing from the Caribbean will find it difficult to maintain anonymity!

I’m delighted to report that further kind pledges and an overseas donation from a very generous French General will add around £100 to this. Together with those of you who donated direct to the RBL in order to claim the Gift Aid, I think we are conservatively in the region of £300 all up, and probably a bit more. This is a tremendous sum given that there actually weren’t that many of us.

Thank you all very, very much indeed for being such generous shipmates.

Very few people, even in retirement, get 10 weeks to go off chasing dreams. I could not have done so without the love, forbearance, encouragement and support of my Darling Sue – who understands all too well the nature of the idiot she married in 1977.

Thank you Darling – we can now get back to the sort of cruising that you prefer…!

Keith joined Drummond and me for a celebratory glass of fizz and dinner to mark the end of the circumnavigation.

Drummond has used every mug in the cupboard in his roles as First Mate/Crew/Galley Slave and pretty much everything else – well done and safe sailing….

Shimoni entered the lock at Sovereign Harbour at 1530, having exchanged waves (pun intended) with her old friend Beachy Head Light on the way in. She’s done 2059.32 miles in 76 days. Quite a journey. More later..

Drummond joined at Falmouth and enjoyed a great first day’s sail to Fowey..

Mike left after 361.15 miles, the remains of Hurricane Bertha and the now traditional flambéed bananas…  (not shown!)

This really felt like an adventure….

Wonderful to meet Jannie again after all these years; many thanks to you and husband Douglas for looking after us so well; great brunch – great tea! So sorry you have to get off Brian; it has been great to have you aboard – thanks Caroline for letting him come!

Now we have to hide from Hurricane Bertha for a few days – back soon!