Jeanne, 76, becomes the UK's bravest sailor
Brit round-the-world sailor Jeanne Socrates has certainly
taken the wind from my sails. I can hardly believe the good 76-year-old has
found the
She has forsaken her comfortable nest in Timaru harbour,
in New Zealand's South Island, and is back out there in the wild southern South
Pacific.
Just picture the scene: The lady, old enough – er, mature
enough – to be a great grandmother, has been sailing alone and unaided in the
world's most treacherous seas.
Danger-filled
This danger-filled outing has not stretched over a long
weekend, nor for a short holiday, but for the last 240 days, since 3rd October.
Considerable problems, not surprisingly, caused her to go
into a port the other day in the South Island.
Ultra-hospitable locals wanted to ease her bruises, give
her a well-deserved rest, and repair the storm-damaged yacht for her.
And yet the lady declined the invitations because it
would mar her sailing round-the-world record attempt.
Sea-going ‘madness’
Most people nearby waited for her to give up the
sea-going 'madness'. I doubt that anyone felt she could - or should - return to
the watery Hell she has endured for the last 34 weeks or so.
Heaven knows how many cakes were baked locally for the
moment she called it a day.
Instead,
she has sailed out of the harbour and is already well out to sea. Continues
on the blogs for my ocean adventuring book, Sailing to Purgatory, at
posted by paul at 1:22 pm
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