Race 13 - Day 4
Crew Diary - Derry-Londonderry to Liverpool
25 July
Homeward Bound . . .
After a thoroughly enjoyable stopover in Derry where the locals made us very welcome and took great interest in our fleet, we are on the move again for our final race into Liverpool. This takes us back where we started and therefore will complete our race, our circumnavigation and life on the high seas as we got to know it over the past 11 months.
It was strange but very enjoyable to be back on Irish soil again. Hearing Irish accents, seeing familiar newspapers, hearing well known voices on the radio was all a little surreal after visiting so many foreign shores over the last year. I even got to drive my own car again! However meeting family, extended family, friends and neighbours who travelled to Derry to welcome us in and to visit us and our boats was truly special and very much appreciated. My husband Pat deserves a special mention for his great support throughout the year and he was lucky enough to be able to visit at many of the stopovers. A big thank you to James Ryan for all the help back home and helping to make it possible! For those who were unable to travel I am really looking forward to catching up with you when I get home. I am especially excited to be meeting for the first time, nephews baby James (6 months) and new baby Dónal just a week old!!
This last race which takes us around the Irish coastline from Donegal down the west coast and around the south of Ireland before we head into the Irish sea towards Liverpool is a particularly poignant way to finish. It is wonderful to see the Wild Atlantic Way from this angle. It certainly looks like a stunning coastline and us Irish on board are enjoying pointing out the familiar headlands and islands. Plotting the latitude and longitude on the chart is more enjoyable than usual.
Naturally this is a time of mixed feelings as the year draws to a close. Being asked several questions by family and friends in port recently has made me reflect a little earlier than I may have. . .
Am I glad it it almost over?
I will be sorry that the adventure of a lifetime (for me) is drawing to an end but it has to end sometime – cannot keep going around & around indefinitely, nor would I want to. However, I will also be happy that I have achieved what I set out to do and that was to circumnavigate this planet. Clipper Ventures, supportive family and the fantastic crew, skipper & first mate all helped to make my dream come true, and for that I will be eternally grateful!!
Would I do it again ?
No, but only because there must be another adventure out there and I tend not to repeat. Despite the challenges and the ups and downs I would highly recommend it, but not for everyone . . .
Am I glad I did it?
I am extremely happy that I did it! When I first heard that it was possible to do a circumnavigation without being a very experienced sailor or owning my own yacht I was hooked immediately.
What will I miss most?
I will miss the sense of adventure and challenge that we were lucky enough to enjoy every day. I will miss the feeling of being so alive surrounded by the wonderful vast oceans but also at the mercy of the forces of nature. Of course I will miss being in the great company of so many like-minded people and friendly faces who were quick to laugh and share a joke or to just provide support when needed. I will also miss the fabulous crew supporters who regularly met us during our stopovers. They welcomed us all in like extended family, especially Sarah, Gerry & Maureen and they kept Pat company as we trailed into port.
What am I most looking forward to?
Apart from catching up with family and friends, I look forward to chilling out in front of a real fire at home with my husband on a comfortable couch with a glass of Malbec in hand and maybe a good movie on Netflix. Then I think the garden may need an overhaul . . .
It is only with the passage of time and the opportunity to reflect that we will fully absorb what we have all undertaken and achieved over the last year and how it may impact on us each individually. However, overall it has been a truly positive experience.
I wish to sincerely thank Conall, Anna, (and in alphabetical order) Adrian, April, Carsten, Graham, Greg A, Greg G, Nic and Roseann for your great teaching, very enjoyable company and fantastic team spirit throughout the past year !! Also to the many “leggers” who added wonderful colour and enjoyment to every leg of the race – Thank you all!
For the last time - Slán agus beannacht le gach duine sa bhaile.
Love to all,
Mary x x x