As we inch closer to Australia we are all reflecting on the journey that was, and counting our blessings that Condesa found Pedro and.... Pedro found Condesa.

Oh it is a good story about a competent sailor and a competent boat - both dreaming of doing the �"coconut milk run�" across the Pacific Ocean. The fact that it was all a last minute arrangement was all the more amazing as it turned out to be a perfect match.
So as Captain Humming and I bring this chapter to a close I wanted to do a snap shot on the perfect crew member any sailing vessel could wish to have.
NAME: Pedro (Peter) Cookingham; Although he thought his name was ‘Little Shit’ for the first 5 years of his life. He now has earned the title of “Super Pedro"
SKILLS: Blue water sailor; Carpenter; All round boat seen-it /done-it; Mr Fix-it; Caveman; Monkey Man; Action man; Salvage man; Solo-man; Avid reader; Story teller; Historian; People person; Joker.
FAVOURITE PASSTIME: Beer;
HE IS: Of Nordic decent ; American from Washington State; Living in Mexico for the past 30 yrs when he is not out on the water.
To QUOTE Him: “Nah why live with the stress on land...when you could be out here on the water? Why would you?"
HOBBY: Beeeer
LOCATED : We found him in Marina De La Paz Mexico - Pedro had just returned from 3 years sailing South America, Brazil, The Horn, the Chilean Fjords, and The Caribbean. After completing the carpentry work for Condesa, Capt Humming threw out the lure to do the "Coconut milk run" across the pacific with us.
WHY: Beer ...No just joking - he has always dreamt of doing this crossing himself, so this was an opportunity to have a look first hand and plan his own crossing. Which will then just leave him a passage 'over the top’ to complete a full circum navigation of the world for him… and he will. BONUS: We can thank Pedro's family; especially his dad, for he had him out on the water doing boat transfers from the age of 10yrs and progressed to doing salvaging work later in his career.
Pedro being the youngest of 4 of boys, we can thank them also for toughening him up to the point that nothing, and I mean nothing fazes him. (OK Maybe sitting on the curl of a breaking wave does bother him somewhat) Pedro Was the brunt of pranks, jokes and all round brotherly love, therefore he is prepared, alert and ready for anything that comes his way. And, his sister clearly made it easy for him to hang with me over mags/books, movies or doing running repairs. He seems to know someone at most anchorages from his past trips, and everyone recognises him immediately. Not sure if it is the blond braided "wind rope” (he calls it) down his back that gives him away FYI his indicator - if it is wet/it's raining; if it is flying/it's windy; if it is frozen then it’s bloody cold! Or it could be simply that he is recognised by his jovial story-telling voice, followed by his easy laugh. Either way, it seems if you have met him you'll never forget him.
We will definitely miss having him aboard Condesa when we finally tie the lines in Brisbane. He and Captain Humming have spent the last 7 months working with the same goal. His cabin (cave) has been his since we have owned the boat. The card table will be missing my doubles partner and the coffee pot will remain redundant every morning. No more 3am wake up calls where he appeared poised mumbling "on-my-way” before I even reach his quarters... I guess that is easier than his being tossed out the window into the snow as a wake up call for school. No more silent negotiations with the universe on top deck; no more pleads for kinder weather from his mates (passed) for our need. No more personal body guard waiting for me when I surface from a village market; no more minder for our Condesa, always happily sitting at anchorage for our return whenever, wherever he deemed it a necessity.
PURPOSE IN LIFE: To make people laugh ............
CONCLUSION: His mission well accomplished!
And a friend for life