23 February 2006 - Christina Hits Antigua!
After 86 days at sea, we finally arrived into Nelson’s Dockyard at 7.15am local time last Thursday, the 23rd of February. Its very hard to put into words even now how happy and overcome with emotion both Tori and Paul were on what we can only describe as the best day of both our lives so far.
We had deliberately stalled on Wednesday (the 22nd of Feb) so that we would arrive in after all our family and friends had arrived in Antigua and also so that we could come into Nelson’s Dockyard in daylight. Half of our penultimate day was spent chilling out on the boat, playing cards and basically just taking it easy as we counted down the hours to when we could get going again for the last time en route to our final destination. We also decided to have a good old wash so that are friends and families wouldn’t have to hold their breath when they hugged us at the end.
The last nightshift was an absolute pleasure, we were treated to a spectacular night sky and the lights of Antigua sent both Tori and Paul into fits of laughter. It was so surreal to be finally looking at the Island where our epic adventure would finish. We were under no pressure to make up mileage, in fact if anything we were trying not to row too fast to ensure we would not hit Antigua before sunrise.
As we approached land, the daylight showed us the green and brown colours and contours of the Island cliffs. This alone was an enormous novelty for us. We both just couldn’t fully believe that we were finally here. Luckily enough we got our navigation right and had no difficulties in crossing the official race finish line. About 2 miles or so from the finish line a local search and rescue boat came out with some Woodvale people to mark us crossing the finish line and clock our official crossing time. With about a mile and a half to go they disappeared back to the marina to collect a cameraman and returned to us with about ½ a mile to go.
It felt so amazing to cross the line, the support boat sounding off their fog horn as we completed what I can only describe as the toughest thing I think we’ll ever do. They asked us if we wanted a tow into the marina. We shouted over at them that the Christina doesn’t like to be towed and we continued on for the remaining 2 miles or so into the marina. As we approached Nelson’s Dockyard, we spotted our families and friends, some of which were on a little boat to welcome us, others were up on the hill entrance into the marina, cheering us on. There were about 50 people or so on the quayside waiting for us as well as quite a few people on their own boats moored in the marina congratulating us as we approached dry land.
We were both overwhelmed with emotion as we saw all our family and some friends for the first time in nearly 3 months. As we stepped off the boat, Tori only had a little wobble and was embraced by her mother Fran. Paul then got off the boat, a bit wobblier and hugged his mother, Lourdes. We spent the next hour or so hugging all our family members and spraying champagne on as many people as we could. Tori was actually OK and didn’t suffer too badly from “land legs”. Paul was like a drunken 80 year old stumbling around the place.
After a few formalities, we all went back to the beautiful villa where we were staying and had thee best fry up we have ever tasted. That was followed up by an amazing shower and using a toilet that flushed was a great thrill. There is so much to write and say about not only this day but our entire trip, we think we’ll have to put pen to paper properly and see if we can publish something.
We have so many people to thank; it really is hard to know where to begin. First of all to everybody who sent us messages of support via our satellite phone and also on the website, thank you so much, you really were a huge source of encouragement for us both. To all our sponsors, we really cannot thank you enough for your generous support in helping us make our dream a reality. In particular, we would like to thank Dave, Ferg and all the team at Appleton for taking a chance on us and believing in our dream.
It is probably very hard for us to appreciate the anxiety we put our parents, families and friends through. To Bert & Lourdes (Paul’s parents), Tom & Fran (Tori’s parents), Paul’s sister Audrey, Tori’s brother Clayton and especially Daragh and Miriam, thank you for everything you guys did for us over the past year or so. We really do appreciate it and we know it wasn’t easy for you.
To Eamonn and Peter, we really don’t know where to begin. You really took us in and helped us not only get ready for the race but you also came out to the Canaries to make sure we were all ready before we set off. Not only that but you were there on the other end of the phone for us throughout the race to offer us your expert advice as we went through everything the Atlantic had to offer. Both Tori and Paul are really looking forward to meeting you both down in Arklow, along with all the gang from the rowing club when we come back home.
So for now this is us signing off, until the next time………over and out !!!
Previous Reports
20 February 2006 - Nearly there!09 February 2006 - Dreaming of English Harbour!
25 January 2006 - Christina reaches Half Way point!
17 January 2006 - Survival of the fittest!
03 January 2006 - New Year's Message from Christina!
19 December 2005 - bad weather delays
