Dee excited, but nerves about stepping ashore

by Dee Caffari on 22 May 2006 RECEIVED AT 04H43 ON 21ST MAY 2006

Well, the wind eased for Friday night but Saturday morning we watched it increase once more to be in the region of 40 knots.

I was feeling relaxed as we were not in a hurry and could take things easy on the sails and also I had three crew to share the windy seat on deck looking out for lobster pots, fishing vessels and shipping. The other vessels we were really excited to be looking out for were the Volvo fleet surging into the Western Approaches at 20 knots towards their finish line at Portsmouth.

The great relief to the day was the fact that it didn't rain all day. In fact quite often being that much further offshore we sat in our own little blue-sky pocket with some warmth coming from the sun. We ended up on a little nature trail as we sailed towards the Needles fairway ready for our arrival into the Solent. We had two dolphins playing at the bows of Aviva for about two hours as we surfed along in a building swell. Then as we closed the coastline towards Portland Bill we saw a basking shark following in our wake. I was convinced that Aviva was talking to everyone under the water as we were returning home, probably regaling stories of her adventures for the past six months.

It felt very strange as we moved our way along the coast and slowly were able to pick up each coastguard station on the VHF. Once I finally heard Solent Coastguard give out the maritime safety information broadcast, I knew I was home.

My few days with company onboard was beginning to tell. I had been laughing a lot since the boys joined me, but as the weather was cold and they grew tired and the spread of destruction below spread to cover most of the areas possible to throw clothes and equipment, I grew tetchy. I had never seen Aviva look so disorganised and have such a strange smell. It must be the fact we have had boys onboard. Still they will be sent to the showers and on clean up duties as we return to Southampton and have the long awaited reunion with friends and family.

I am very excited at the prospect of our return and I am really looking forward to my mum being able to see me in the flesh so that she can relax and start sleeping at night again after a stressful six months of worry for her. I am nervous about stepping ashore after so long living onboard Aviva and feel that it will be a sad moment when I do step off Aviva for the first time. I am assured of some chilled champagne being ready for my arrival and can guarantee that I will be drinking a glass or two, so will be unable to write a Daily Log tomorrow, but I will be catching up with all the emotions and celebrations on Monday.

Dee & Aviva