Valencia to Auckland 2007

The Americas Cup is an expensive event at the best of times, and Americas Cup 07 was no different……Berthage-Restaurants etc, everybody wants and gets their pound of flesh. Valencia had a really impressive facility built and everything was run quite smoothly, but unfortunately the venue was too big and lacked the opportunity to form the friendships between the visiting overseas spectator vessels owners and crew.

LVC 2007
Team NZ v Prada. Exciting if you were a Team NZ supporter, Team NZ went out too win 5 straight races over Prada winning the Louis Vuitton Cup and earning them the right to challenge for the Americas Cup. A short break before the main event and we are off to do a little yachting of our own in the Dubois Cup &Super yacht Cup, Palma 12th June 07-20th June 07. The location for this event is “Palma. Mallorca” eight days of yacht racing and after match functions. The yachting was great and even though our result was not quite what one would have hoped a good time was had by all.

To make such a trip there is much to do in the way of prior preparation:

– Engines to be serviced
– Safety gear to be checked serviced.
– Sails to be checked and repaired.
– Charts and navigational publications that cover the navigable areas through which we are to sail need to be purchased.
– Rig check
– Flights and accommodation for delivery crew arranged and sails and spare parts to be organized for shipping ahead to NZ.
– Security for crew and yacht needs to be organized for the portion of the trip that will take us through the Suez Canal, Red Sea and down the East Coast of Africa to the Seychelles.
– And last but most definitely not least Shipping Agents to handle our affairs in each of our stopovers along the way.

We decide to sail from Valencia to Palma on the 16th of July 07. We will stay in Palma till the 11th of August were we will use the time to prepare for the upcoming journey. On the 11th of August we depart from Palma and sail to a Southern Spars facility located in Laciotat, France were we will check the yachts Rig and be joined in by the remainder of crewmembers for the upcoming trip.

21/8/07
Time to go. And so the journey begins

The best way to tell of such a journey is with photos and a poem that was written during our passage.

A Poem for ‘Janice’ by Vicki Angland, Indian Ocean, October 2007

She sailed from Spain, land of Red Rain
Pacific bound, home for the crew,
On the ocean roaming, was ‘Janice of Wyoming”
Please take me home with you too.

In La Ciotat provisions, and weather-wise decisions
Cross the Med, to the Pharaohs Land,
In Lipari we rested, Margarita’s digested
Onto Port Said, Arab greed, lots of Sand.

And Papyrus procured, the Pyramids lured
We were in Cairo, tourists for a day,
Girls with only eyes showing, men’s white robes flowing
We glimpsed the Egyptian Way.

On under harshest Suns rays, Marlborough days
Pilots and bribery to get through,
Suez Canal was eventless, the heat was relentless
And had to take Pommie security too.

For the waters now traveled, the stories unraveled
Tales of Guns, and Pirates, and War,
So from Oman headed East, 300 miles at least
Far from the Somalian shore.

Blue waters came clearer, the Equator grew nearer
And strong tail winds they abated,
For Dylan and Basil, a bit of a frazzle
As they new that King Neptune awaited.

You can also strategy the top medical herbs in the U. bulk viagra uk But, men can now buy Kamagra from any of the online kamagra shop. cialis in österreich The doctor should also know what other medications you are having- Sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction are the common causes that can cause infertility viagra buy in usa in a woman. buy levitra online This disease surely has a treatment. it can be happen in any age. A celebration, smelly spaghetti creation
Brewed on the engine room floor,
But now South of that line, this hemisphere’s fine
Better half of the world, that’s for sure.

Now the Engineer, with technical flare
Says Baz, “You’re Unbelievable!”
Then adds something rude, that alludes to some food
Overboard Sausage is quite Irretrievable.

The Seychelles appeared, the crew were all cheered
Toward this lush green Isle Janice sailed,
It was Top Shot Competition, quite an exhibition
As airborn balloons all got nailed.

Now with owners on tour, the crew quite demur
Our perfect palm fringed bays a little rolly,
But our boat has pizzazz, and there’s chardonnay and shiraz
So all happy for 10 days, rolly polly.

To leave Mahe no worry, there was Octopus curry
Pina Coladas, diving and swimming,
The Rugby was on, it went horribly wrong
Lets go now, depressed with tears brimming.

And so onto Mauritius, delicious, auspicious
Unlike other places gone before you,
For a quick fuel stop, bustling market shop
A road trip, and big night for some crew.

Now underway, starry nights lead the way
Across the Indian Ocean, ever vast,
We wish for kind seas, and Westerly breeze
To carry us Eastward fast.

And we’ll have much to remember, August to November
Past antics of crew, and those yet ahead,
From Baz eating Mango, doing the Cynthia tango
Laughs from France all the way to En Zed.

Of pringles and smarties, non-existant half-way parties
Of dancing to Rock and Roll,
But to all of the crew, it’s due to you
This Voyage unfolds with a soul.

And to Janice of Wyoming, our ship still Eastward roaming
You carry us with Grace by day and night,
Under this new moon, we will all be home soon
Please take us safely to the shores past Rangi Light.

13th November 2007

We arrive back in Auckland to a very warm welcome from families and friends. And so ends a long trip that has seen “Janice of Wyoming” and her Owners and crew circumnavigate the Globe.