We have been in New York for five
days now and much has happened.
The race from Jamaica was very
intense with many and varied conditions, we had downwind sailing, upwind, light
airs, the Gulf Stream and two snapped sheets (one inch thick ropes!).
After our success with 3rd place in
the Jamaica race, we decided to be very focused and do our utmost to perform
well in the NY race. Well it was intense and we did get into second place at
one time. Weather was critical with winds ranging from virtually nil up to 30
knots and always changing direction; it was a real test of our seamanship. It
was also exhausting at times. On one six hour watch, I think we changed sails
six times and had to wool 2 spinnakers. At the end of that I went off deck and
sat with head in hands for about half an hour before getting into my bunk for
two and a half hour's sleep. Am I getting soft or old?
However, our skipper handed me two
opportunities towards the end of the race. The first was to be at the helm over
the last half an hour of the race and to cross the finishing line. The second
was rather more challenging. With just 24 hours notice, she asked that I
passage plan the route into New York. This means you prepare the navigation
plan to arrive safely at your destination. Having given the task, she then
added that NY is the busiest port on the whole east coast of the US and we
would arrive at night. No pressure then with various things to avoid such as
exclusion zones, unexploded devices, security zones where we could be shot at
and heavy traffic including cruise liners. Well we arrived at 5am and I must
say a can of beer for breakfast tasted pretty good.
There has been a lot of cleaning,
maintenance, food shopping and more to do. However, I did have a full day to
see NY. I became quite emotional when I visited Ground Zero. The new tower
block they have built in the corner is impressive, but it is the two large
water features depicting the base of each tower with the names of all those
that were lost that really stirred my emotions. Having watched the events on TV
as they happened and now having visited the site, I cannot understand how man
can be so callous and wicked to fellow man.
Then onto Grand Central Station, a
fabulous building and a location for a number of films. Will Birmingham's new
New Street Station come anywhere near?
My daughter had recommended the
Rockefeller Centre over the Empire State Building – and it was both educational
and offered breathtaking views from the viewing galleries on the 68th and 70th
floors. A brief walk in Central Park and through the financial area including
Wall Street concluded my site seeing.
So where do fat feet come in? Well,
the heat of the leg down to the Tropics had caused my feet and ankles to swell
considerably. A major additional factor is that you do not walk anywhere on
board. Consequently, nothing gets pushed back up. To cut a long story short, a
3 hour medical examination, x-rays and ultrasound proved all was OK and
diuretics have been prescribed. So passed fit for the Atlantic. Derry here we
come.
We set off on Saturday morning and
will sail for about 14 days depending on winds. Homeward bound and rather keen
to see my family.
Oh and just to finish, does NY have
the biggest dog population on earth? I have never seen so many blokes walking
dogs of all sizes and breeds as I have here.
Best wishes to you all.
Malcolm
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| The crew of Switzerland arrives in New York |
NOTE: For those reading this via email update, don't forget to visit the blog at https://malclipper.blogspot.com where you can pledge support via donations to Malcolm's chosen charities - the Bobby Moore Fund tackling bowel cancer; the James Whale Fund for kidney cancer; and Prostate Cancer UK.
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