Arrivederci
28 January 2012 | Riva DI Traiano
Tom ZS1TA
Picture: Photo edited genoa on a Southern Wind SW-100. By Shaun ZS1RA
It's the new moon phase and for the last two nights we have been treated to the most spectacular stellar displays. Devoid of any cloud cover and away from city lights of the islands we have visited the night sky has been crisp and clear allowing me to enjoy the acquaintance of the Northern Hemisphere patterns that are so far from my home in the South. Its now morning, shortly before dawn and it is dark. I mean really dark. Without a torch or the deck light I can not see the bow of the boat.
There is a heavy, thick and ominous covering of cloud that is obliterating all light that might have come from the sky. Gradually I become aware of a chink in the clouds armour as the sun tries to break through from behind. A tiny sliver of crimson struggles to break through the thick folds but to no avail. As the light slowly increases we have a cold and grey day as we press on with a heading of 066 degrees on the auto-pilot which frequently gives a shrill " RUDDER RESPONSE FAILURE " alarm and needs to be reset. In the gloomy light we can see rain patterns to our right and wonder if the squalls will reach us.
There is an air of expectancy on board for on the chart-plotter we have the mainland coast of Italy appearing and our track in the form of a thin red line is drawing ever nearer. For some of us there are slightly mixed feelings as we realize that what has been our life for the past month and a half is about to end. Valentina prepares a hearty lunch while all around the boat preparations are being made. Fenders are inflated, gear used for the long passage and now not needed is stowed in preparation. As if the weather has sensed our excitement it starts to clear after lunch and a short while later the coast line appears. I can make out a tall structure which I expect to be a light-house but as we draw nearer it becomes the large chimney of a power generating plant. The sails are furled and for the first time since Cape Town the cover is put over the main sail on the boom and all is secured.
Rounding the curved break-water we gently enter the marina of Riva DI Traiano with one of the inflatable tenders of the marina attendants buzzing alongside us. On the spreader we are flying all the courtesy flags of our journey indicating our various stops. The horn is sounded and as a salute there is a reply of many notes as the other boats welcome us into our berth.
The sun sets as we complete the mooring maneuver and with it we end our voyage.
Starting at 18 degrees East we went through three time zones to 23 degrees West and then back again to 14 degrees East. From 34 degrees South we crossed the Equator and continued to 42 degrees North. In all this we covered 7062 nautical miles over a period of fourty days with the sailing occupying thirty one days.
I thank my companions for the friendship shown on board, the guys back at the shipyard who built the yacht, Shaun (ZS1RA) and Tony (ZS1TM) for managing the blog and all of you who have accompanied us in spirit with your comments and support. A special word of thanks to the amateur radio network that allowed these messages to pass so efficiently.
Arrivederci, Tom.