Sailing Our Last Leg!

It is nice to have Bob and Merc onboard Trillium

The time has come to bring this big sailing adventure to a close. What could be better than sharing it with sailing friends who understand through experience in the World ARC! Merc and Bob from Chicago sailed the first half of the WARC on Vivo, a boat that stopped in Australia. Since they didn't get to complete their circumnavigation, we invited them to join us for the return to our starting point: St. Lucia. That was back in January of 2014!

The Marina Jacare did a nice job of hosting a huge group

for their first time. Good food. Good fun. And a translator!

Unless you have been part of the World ARC, it is hard to relate to those who have not been part of it. So it  was a perfect choice of crew to join us for the bittersweet sail "home." We will miss all of the wonderful people from all over the world met though sailing with the World Cruising Club's rallies. After all, we participated in three of them: 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17! S/V Trillium will be well decorated for the final Parade of Sails.

Having used a lot of energy in the heat while attending the three Carnivals in Brazil, we were all ready to be back on the water. Although, we were still running without a water maker so showers were not on our "do to" list. It can make for a grouchy crew from time to time - including me. Delta. Alpha. Mike. November.

There is always a boat project and often it is

a head problem! Not fun, but must be done.

Merc and Bob had carried a new high pressure pump to Brazil for us, but due to Carnival, we couldn't get anyone to install it! So once again, we loaded up on water at the dock and set off with limited use. We haven't been able to make water since Indonesia. Each country who tried to help us, only made the situation worse. In South Africa, the "best" engineering company actually blew the piston in the pump which was the final straw! It is dead! So a new one ordered in Chicago and came in their luggage.


Our trip north to Grenada was uneventful and a good sail. There were a number of squalls that doused us from time to time, but overall, it was a fine trip - sans showers. Merc was a great help in the galley and Bob proved to be a fine dish washer! Love them both!

What a catch! A 4.5 foot MahiMahi!

Probably the highlight of the trip was the huge MahiMahi the guys caught! It was 4.5 feet long! We ate on it for days and even gave some of it away. The freezer was having a challenging time trying to freeze, but it kept things very cold. That issue will be addressed in Grenada where they are to have competent tradesmen. And since S/V Trillium will be there all summer, they will have plenty of time to get everything ship-shape for next fall.

Merc managed to read a few books and snooze a little.

Of course, we crossed the equator again, but didn't do an outstanding celebration. I was on watch when we crossed around 2330 so no costumes and offerings to Neptune. I think we were all just anxious to get to Grenada. I did buy a crown at one of the carnivals and had planned to make it a big celebration, but ... Instead, I wrote a note and put it in a bottle and tossed it overboard at the equator. I wonder if I will ever hear that it was found by someone somewhere.

We were all looking forward to our arrival in Marigot Bay, St. Lucia, but first we will enjoy our time in Grenada. There will be the usual parties, dinners, prizes and tours in Grenada. We so appreciate that the World ARC makes so many great arrangements for us on land. It takes the hassle off our hands and we always get to see the highlights of each landing location without the local ripoff artists bothering us. And the transportation is first class, as well, with knowledgeable guides.

As usual, the World ARC provided a great marina experience with rum punch welcomes and fun activities. It was the best rum punch I have ever had! But I haven't had it frequently so I might be a little biased. There were warnings: watch out to the rum punch as it goes down easily just before you do!