Last jobs done, last farewells: Islands Odyssey sailors cast off

The last few days of the Islands Odyssey stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife were a mixture of last minute repairs and stress over spare parts arriving at the last minute, but also moments of pleasure and camaraderie.

The Odyssey events are fortunate to be sponsored on both sides of the Atlantic, by the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Port Authority, and Barbados Tourism Inc. The Port Authority laid on a spectacular trip to Tenerife’s mountainous interior, and a classy reception at the Royal Yacht Club. The sailors made a real effort to smarten up after days in shorts and flipflops…

The amazing landscape of Tenerife

The Islands Odyssey sailors arrive for the farewell party at the Santa Cruz Yacht Club

Commercial director of the Port Authority, Airam Díaz, and Commodore of the Real Club Nautico de Tenerife, Cristóbal Amador, present the young crew of TAMOURÉ with goodie bags

Sweets are popular with the young sailors at the farewell party

Dan and Nera Cornell keeping the kids occupied while the parents do last minute jobs

Farewell party in the marina – impromptu concert from Thierry from LYS DES MERS
accompanied by Lars from ANEMONE

Sailors also showed their generosity by supporting the SOS Childrens Villages in the Cape Verdes, following on from the project started last year during the Barbados 50 rally. The SOS foundation supports abandoned children and young people around the world, and has a community and school in Mindelo.

Urgently needed items such as toiletries, stationery and bedding were funded by the sailors. On arrival on the island they will go and visit the community to personally hand over the much needed items.

Some of the necessary items for the SOS bags

Bags made up for the SOS Villages

‘Can anyone play this?’ asks Jimmy Cornell at the skippers briefing
– a trumpet was one of the items requested by the SOS Villages

Jens-Werner from SPINNWILL turns out to be a secret trumpet player

And at last, at noon on 26 October, time to slip the lines, and leave… any port is only ever temporary, the wide ocean is beckoning, and the next adventure lies over the blue horizon.

Next stop: Cape Verdes, some 800 miles away.

Final reunion on the last day

Final purchase on the last day – Fresh oranges from a local farmer for the crew of
LADY JANE, JAJAPAMI and DREAM CATCHER

Fond farewells – Bill from KRABAT and Sabine from MR GREY

See you in Cape Verdes – Pascale of MOJITO and Allen of LADY JANE

LADY JANE heads out of the marina

The Cornell Sailing Team takes care of the sailors during their time in port
and provides support during the crossing