It's a strange feeling to be writing this. At least now. If everything had gone to the original plan, Spirit of Cardiff would have finished her round the world voyage over three months ago, and I would almost certainly have completed the book about it as well. But fate plays many tricks, which is why the final chapter in the Spirit of Cardiff story is still waiting to be played out.
I approach this final ocean crossing with a degree of trepidation. Although it's been difficult to get back into the swing of normal life, I have to say it's preferable to being cooped up in a small box which seems to do nothing but inflict injury and discomfort. On the other hand, given the problems I've encountered getting my head round normal day to day life, maybe going back aboard the Spirit won't be such a bad thing.
The only real minus side is that, from what I've been hearing from Alan since he's been back in Newfoundland, the weather is rather iffy. Tropical storm Gustav has developed into a full-blown hurricane. Word is it will have died down by the weekend, but naturally I'll prefer to reserve my optimism for when we're cruising across placid waters.
When our voyage came to such a dramatic end in July, with Steve Lloyd suffering a heart attack, we received many messages of support, encouraging us not to give up. At the time we were completely shell-shocked, and unable to contemplate finishing. But since the Union Internationale Motonautique - the international governing body of powerboating - told us that the clock is still running, we intend to bring the boat home via Gibraltar. So we can still establish the record for a circumnavigation by a powerboat under 50ft.
Taking Steve's place is Jan Falkowski, our original crewman forced to drop out three weeks before we set off in March. Jan may have missed the trials and tribulations of going around the world, but he's had a full summer of RIB racing to keep him amused.
We're very grateful to Air Canada and BTI Canada for providing us with the flights to St John's. I'll probably spend a little time inflight working on the book about Spirit of Cardiff's epic voyage. It's going to be a cracker, but then I would say that, wouldn't I?
Clive Tully
Copyright Clive Tully ©2002