October 2009 eBook all pages (free PDF, 36.6 - Latitude 38

PHOTOS LATITUDE / LADONNA
SIGHTINGS
Page 86 • Latitude 38 • October, 2009
nereida — cont’d
done it. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston commented that, if I succeed, I’ll
be the nineteenth Brit ever to have done so solo, nonstop.”
Early last month, Socrates set sail from Guernsey on a 12-day
shakedown cruise to the Canary Islands. When we caught up with
her, she was just a week or so away from her anticipated departure
date. “There are still items to fix in place so they won’t move around
in the expected big seas — or if we should broach or invert — but I
hope to be ready to get underway by the beginning of October,” Jeanne
said, “so as to be in the area of Cape Horn around mid-January.”
Socrates also hopes to raise money for a charity close to her heart:
Marie Curie Cancer Care. “Too many people I know have suffered
from cancer, and it has denied them the chance to enjoy what they’d
looked forward to, often after a hard-working life,” she said. “Some
friends are still struggling to overcome it. Marie Curie Cancer Care
enables terminally ill people to spend their final days at home, with
the family supported by dedicated nurses provided free of charge.”
‘Sweet Sixteen’ promises to be the biggest Ha-Ha
if all 191 entries show up to the starting line.
ha-ha
boom or spinnaker pole, or losing one's
fingers in a block. Then there are boat
safety issues, such as everyone’s knowing
the importance of keeping a good watch
and knowing how to reef. And knowing
how to deal with emergencies, such as
fire, water coming into the boat from an
unknown source, losing the rudder, or
having the mast come down.
We don't want to frighten anyone, because
these things have rarely or never
happened in the previous 15 Ha-Ha's
but, in order to be safe, you must have
knowledge and be vigilant. Besides, the
more you know, the more relaxed you'll
be and the more fun you'll have.