Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Safe 2016 from Sea Rose.  We’re looking forward to another year of friends, fun and adventures sailing around the Caribbean.

We can’t wait to get back to the warm tropical weather…we spent the Christmas holidays with family in Chicago. Yuck!  (Not the family, the weather).

After 19 days at sea we finally arrived in St Lucia.  Everyone was in good spirits and happy to be on land again.

Initially we sailed with the jib and the main sail, gjibing back and forth before switching to the Code O about halfway through.  After the change we were able to sail deeper downwind and on a more direct course to Rodney Bay, hence the straighter line on the tracker.

The crew of Sea Rose was in high spirits on start day.  After spending two weeks in Las Palmas readying and provisioning Sea Rose, we were more than anxious to start our 2700 mile journey.

The town of Las Palmas came down to the marina to send the fleet off for the start of the 30th ARC.

At the start line Sea Rose gets off to a fast start.

With the competition (other catamarans) following behind.

No they’re not sinking, it’s our friends from ‘The Lazy’Linda behind a swell at the start line.

The boats in the racing class just blew right by us….and everyone else.

On the start day the skies finally cleared to give us a picturesque sunset.

In the morning, Glen tended to our first repair/adjustment of the reef lines

The start was initially a bit rough and Teresa suffered a casualty.  Her fruit bowl she’d bought earlier in Portugal didn’t fair well after it was tossed across the boat from a big wave. A somber moment.

A moment of silence and a proper burial at sea.

On a happier moment, fresh fish was readily available.  Would anyone like Mahi Mahi for dinner?

Larry lands a second Mahi.  They were the perfect meal size catches

A happier Teresa enjoying her fresh Mahi dinner at sea.

Teresa in command of the helm during her shift.

Bob supervising Teresa during her shift, making sure she doesn’t ‘hit’ anything.

When there’s no wind, the only thing to do is go swimming in 15,000 feet of water in the middle of the Atlantic.

Swimming can be exhausting, time for a nap.

Another one of our 18 sunsets at sea.

Bob and Teresa celebrating crossing the half way point.  Only 1,350 more miles and 9 days to go.  It’s all downhill from here.

We burned out our impeller on the generator.  Capt. Dave trying to repair it.

Teresa on watch duty.  Another day and another shift

Sailing wing and wing.  Jib pulled out on port side and Code O flying on starboard side.

Here is one of our nemesis, a squall  The further south we sailed the more frequent the squalls were.  During the day you could spot them on the horizon, but during the nights it was a different story.  The wind speeds could double in a few seconds and if we had the wrong sails up they could get shredded.

Always connected.  Teresa browsing the internet in the middle of the Atlantic ocean during her watch.

Did someone say Land Ho!

Land Ho!  After 19 days we see land for the first time, St Lucia is in sight.

Sea Rose on the final leg to the finish line.

The crew of Sea Rose is just as happy as the day they left Las Palmas 19 days ago.

Crossing the finish line.

We made it.  Sea Rose is now headed for her slip in Rodney Bay ahead.

After 3 months we finally took down the “all weather enclosures” and installed the sun shades.  The sun shades will be in place for the foreseeable future as we sail around the Caribbean in 2016.

Sea Rose Adventures is now on Holiday break.  Sea Rose is taking a one month break and as we returned to the USA for the Christmas and New year Holidays.  We will return toward the end of January 2016 for more adventures.

I attended a sea rescue demonstration today.  Something I hope we will never need.

Since I was the only one who went to the rescue demonstration I had to rely on a “selfie” to take my picture.

Dave was doing the final engine checks.  Conditions look good for the crossing, so we shouldn’t really have to rely on the engines much.

The provisioning started to arrive and it continued for the next two days.

We got are fruit and vegetable hammocks slung.

Sea Rose and neighbors are ready to go.  Sea Rose is fourth from the left.

As you can see from Sea Rose’s flags, the wind conditions are going to be perfect for the start of the race.

Time to say goodbye to Las Palmas.  It’s been our home for the last 3 weeks.  They were great friendly hosts.

The crews last land based dinner for the next 16 – 19 days.

It is a race (sort of) so you can follow the fleet on the following link.  We are boat Sea Rose and we are in the multi-hull division.  Start time is 12:30 PM, Sunday, November 22nd.  We’re off!!

http://www.worldcruising.com/arc/eventfleetviewer.aspx

View of the marina from Larry’s drone.  The racing boats are all along the sea wall.

Spot the guy at the top of his mast.

Sea rose is the fourth catamaran from the left.

Closer view of the Lagoon catamarans.

Overhead view of Sea Rose.

Larry, Kathie and Glenn on the fore deck of Sea Rose.

On our way to the ARC opening parade.

I’m confused, do I march with the country where I’m from?  Or where I lived?

OK, I’ll march with the Americans, but only if I can carry my own a flag.

The ARC participants with their flags, march from one end of the marina to the other.

The ARC is well represented by European participants.

The Americans had a small contingent.

The Norwegians had one of the largest representations.  I guess their escaping the cold Norwegian winters for the Caribbean.

The parade was then followed by the dingy races.

The races then turned into just a big water fight.  A good day was had by all.

We were initially berthed in a secluded area of the marina that did not allow for easy on/off access to Sea Rose…

…especially during high tide.  Teresa could not board without assistance.

After some Spanish diplomacy with “her people” Teresa was able to get us moved to a “Platinum location”.  Well done Teresa!  Now we can get on and off Sea Rose at anytime without risking life and limb.

The winds have started coming out of the east which is good for our trip, but bad for all the sand it carries with it from the Sahara Desert.

Sea Rose has been blanketed with fine sand for the last few days. (forward hatch)

and It was a short trip over from Tenerife to Gran Canaria Island.

We arrived in Gran Canaria with time to spare.  We’re hoping to get some items on Sea Rose addressed before the start of the ARC on November 22nd.

The 30th year for ARC and more recently due to its popularity, they started ARC+

Teresa and Dave having afternoon lunch at the very popular Sailor’s Bay

This was our initial berthing location.  We were tucked in between two larger catamarans.  It looks very quiet and cozy, but looks can be deceiving.

We were stern in on a seawall with tides.  What’s the problem you ask…

In order to get on and off Sea Rose we had to rig up some boards to strap up our pasarelle. Slightly dangerous after a night of drinks.

Yep, it’s high tide right now and Teresa needs assistance to literally climb on board.

When there’s a problem with the rigging always send the crew up the mast.  Well done Teresa!

It’s important for the Captain to keep both feet on the deck and supervise.

Our lovely neighbors from “The Lazy Linda” enjoying their afternoon.

We did squeeze in some culture in the old town, the Cathedral de Santa Ana.

The “send off party” for the ARC+ and welcoming party for the ARC participants.

The festivities included local dancers

The starting line of ARC+…and the spinnakers are flying.

Then we had the cruisers, easy as it goes.

Santa Cruz is the capital city of Tenerife.  Not very sunny today.

Shopping area in Santa Cruz.  The weather is really nice here.  We turned the A/C on Sea Rose for the first time.

They sell unique island souvenirs in the shops here.

They’re already stocking Christmas stuff.

Typical street in Santa Cruz.

Dog lady?

Ooh, these look juicy.

Cuanto vale esta?

It’s not a “gang plank”, it’s a P-A-S-A-R-E-L-L-E!

Teresa spoiling the neighbor’s dog with treats.

Enjoying a sunny day in the park.

Santa Cruz has their own Sidney Opera house.

Departing Santa Cruz harbor via the idle drilling platforms.

Great rainbow at sea!  On our way to Las Palmas.

After 5 days and 5 nights at sea, we finally found our island (Tenerife) in the ocean.  This was our longest trip to date and a good warm up to the ARC rally which will take about 15-18 days.

Life at sea is what you make of it. We had a little of everything with the weather and sea life visiting us.

Sometimes it rained…

A lone cruise ship on the horizon..

Sometimes we had visiting dolphins…

The water really started turning blue the further south we headed…

Teresa holding a squid that jumped on to Sea Rose.

Teresa preparing dinner after another day at sea.

We had some really bright nights, as the moon was full and the skies were clear.

…and we had some really nice sunrises.

On the finally day, we were visited by some pilot whales.

Then, finally after 5 days and nights, LAND HO!

Time for a selfie.

Captain Teresa at the helm.

Marina Santa Cruz.

You have to transit the commercial docks to get to Marina Santa Cruz.  Due to the low price of oil there are a few drilling platforms sitting idle here, too.

The view looking back across the commercial docks from our berth.  There are quite a few large luxury yachts here too.

Sea Rose tied up in Marina Santa Cruz.

We planned on staying here longer, but Lagos just wasn’t happening for us.  the weather did not help any as it was overcast and drizzly most of our time here.  With a 5 day sail to our next destination, we decided to cut our time short here.

Believe it or not, the marina was full, so they put us at the reception dock.  This turned out to be a better deal for Sea Rose as we were right at the foot of the bridge that leads into town.

Looking back out the entrance to the marina with the town of Lagos on the right.

There were some nicely tiled houses.  Apart from that if I closed my eyes and listened, I could have been any where in England.  A lot of English OAP’s here. (Old Age Pensioners- for our American friends).

We stopped in the “Fools and Horses” pub for a drink trying to lift the mood.  We raised a few pints and smiles, but then….

…Teresa and Carolyn wanted to be any place but here.

We made the decision to leave for Tenerife tonight, so Teresa was off to the market to provision for our 5 day trip.

Pigeons and Guinea Pigs were not on our menu!

No bell peppers at the market, so off to the grocery store in the drizzling rain.

At last bell peppers for the Teresa’s special dish.