The Wisdom of Oz !

So, nearly there. The thunderstorms finally caught up with us in the middle of the night, boat speed sometimes 15kn, rain, lightning,sail change, but really nothing special.Only 17sm to go, and the celebrations can start: Champagne, beer, whatever, and most likely all afternoon , evening, and night. Let's deal with the consequences tomorrow.


So what is the conclusion of all of this, if there is one ?

Well, it depends most likely on each of the individuals here on board. But there is a broader scheme that I would like to point out to the reader. Because one has to ask oneself what makes people not knowing each other joining a boat of very confined space, only bunk beds, a 'fire place' , ie gas stove, and storage only left for food and the sails - if you brought more clothes than you were wearing on arrival, that is your own fault. The answer I believe is that all of us seeked the experience. We never came to win the race ( we will be third, I guess), but we came to see what we are made of. And what an experience it was. We learnt again basics. Not only to clean the toilets, cook for 11 others, do the washing up, but also basics on humanity. We realised again the need to give space to others, whilst demanding the team effort and disciplin from everyone. Because this kind of boat you can only sail as a team. So selfishness does not bring you far, but with the right spirit, people can work together to achieve great things - whatever we might choose.
The other experience was fun. So much fun we had, down to the point of sillyness. There is a saying that people who sing are good people. I don.t know whether we are good or not, but we sang. Well ,we started slowly, but by now Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heartsclub Band and all its other songs we could sing as a choir. The best and all time favourite however remains 'The wheel on the bus go......', and if you meet a person in the street humming this song, he or she might possible be from our boat Diana.
 So if I would ever do this trip again, and needed a crew, I know now plenty of people I would not hesitate to ask joining me. Because we might have lost the race, but we have gained many new friends. What is more important? I leave that to the reader to dwell upon.
Dr.Detlef Munchow
alias
Master Mike
alias
Michele di Venezia
Adventure Seeker and Sailor
Interpretor of Oz