A Letter to a Partner

Guest entry by Peter T. M. Brandt Sr.

Dear Fredrik,

Just a few words before we set off across the Atlantic. To drag me into the modern “dare and share” activities, the young department has generously opened their fine blog for my scriblings. Hope you don’t mind an open letter.

The start is at 13:00 hrs local time tomorrow, and the boat and crew is well prepared and anxious to get underway. The forecast is for some fresh and potentially wet weather for the first day or so. A low pressure has rested over the Canary Islands for days, with a lot of wind and rain in it. Luckily it’s local, so we just have to get a bit south, turn west at the southern tip of Gran Canary and then head straight into the trade winds towards St. Lucia. The Azores’ high pressure, a fairly permanent feature in these parts, has seemingly behaved and settled nicely, creating a very stable trade wind. We have enjoyed excellent presentations over several days from a meteorologist with 25 Atlantic crossings under his belt, and barred the local low over our heads, the conditions for the actual crossing ‘has not looked better in 10 years’. So to all you folks back home, no worries!

Thanks to our young crew members, “CoCo” is probably the best stocked up and prepared vessel in the fleet. They have done a fantastic job and delivered far above expectations versus our deal with them, which is sublet of “CoCo” for a long trip, against a red carpet experience for the ship owners on this regatta. Apart from some small changes in the line of command, the Brahawi spirit continues in great harmony with our Bucket List Red Trousers Justification Voyage. Cross generation fun!

Hope all is well in the office Fred. Without your support and hard work this trip wouldn’t be possible for me, so I am forever grateful and will make it up to you one day. I am sure that the young core of the Brahawi Expedition would be delighted to take you for a spin in the Carribean some time during the winter!

We’re now heading out for a last shore side meal and final boosting of spirits. Will try to stay in touch via the satelitt phone on a daily basis, and via the same you can reach me at any time. Will have a daily email exchange as well, so albeit distance both in mind and flesh I will do what I can to support you in the office when needed.

Brian and Ola sends their regards. They love the setting and the thought of what lies ahead, not only the rum on arrival, but more what we’ll go through to get there.

Very best,
Peter