On Tuesday, it will be exactly one year since Brian and I left Cape Cod, bound for Bermuda with our Dad and Uncle Larry. Since then, Audentes has visited 12 countries, anchored in more than 30 difference harbors, and traveled over 3,000 miles. The past year has been interesting, to say the least. Among the highlights of the past year were meeting new friends, visiting beautiful islands, and slowly learning to sail Audentes.
Having my brother Brian with me for the majority of the trip made the time much more enjoyable. Brian’s assistance and Audentes’ seeming indestructibility are the main reasons the boat still floats (knock on teak). Also, the support from our parents has been incredible.
As previous journal entries have noted, the past year has not been without setbacks. It turns out that sailing isn’t cheap. Go figure. With enough money and time, I believe anyone can sail around the world. Unfortunately, I have learned that I am a poor mechanic, an awful electrician, and a terrible rigger. My plumbing skills haven’t been called on yet, but there is no reason to believe that I excel in that field either. As a confirmation of the truism “cruising is just fixing your boat in different places,” Audentes has spent six months of the past year out of the water in the boatyard. Hopefully, the future holds more sailing and less breaking.
The past week has been a particularly frustrating time as I try to single-handedly replace the jib roller furling. Eventually, I was able to lower the forestay and I am now faced with the challenge of installing a new roller furling system and then figuring out how to raise the forestay without breaking my new installation. By the end of the upcoming week, either the new roller furling will be hanging from the top of the mast or I will be (not to worry … I couldn’t tie a knot to hang myself, even if I wanted to).
On Thursday, a man I met in the boatyard invited me to participate in a Hash House Harriers event in Trinidad on Saturday. Since I enjoyed my experience with HHH in Atlanta, I figure it would be a good way to meet people. My sponsor assured me that I would (1) see Trinidad, (2) get drunk, and (3) meet beautiful women. My guess is (1) sort of, (2) definitely, and (3) I doubt it. Sadly, we missed meeting up on Saturday, so I was unable to attend the outing. Perhaps it was for the best since I was told to wear a bathing suit. Considering that my last HHH event included a trip through a sewer, I’m fairly certain that I don’t want to see what lives in the sewers of Trinidad.
With one year of sailing behind me, I eagerly look forward to the adventures that lie ahead. Despite the challenges and setbacks, the past year has probably been the best year of my life. I can only hope that the next year proves to be as interesting, fun, and safe as the last one.