57FEBRUARY2016cruisingworld.comMy primary responsibility, as a mother,
was to keep the kids safe and make sure
we were all fed, clean and healthy. My
secondary role was to support James
whenever needed, and stand his watches
when things were calm and smooth. My
third obligation was to photograph and
document our trip.
As captain, James had the heaviest
weight on his shoulders. All the boat
preparation prior to leaving, systems
checks while underway, and weather fore-
casting and routing decisions were his.
If there were any problems or repairs to
be undertaken while en route, he was ac-
countable. We would discuss options and
make decisions together as much as possi-
ble, but ultimately he was responsible for
the safety of the crew and vessel.
His previous solo circumnavigation on
Anasazi Girl had given him the needed ex-
perience to go south again. On one level
it was easier, because he’d already been
down there. With me on board, he also
had some relief from his solo watches, and
a second set of hands when needed. But
in another respect it was a million times
harder, because now he was carrying the
priceless cargo of our family.
As soon as Anasazi Girl was under-
way, James and I shifted into high-perfor-
mance mode.
After passing Cape Point, James pushed
hard to get us ahead of a fast-moving
low-pressure system forecast by Com-
manders’ Weather. It was uncomfortable
with the wind still forward of the beam,
but we made it, and soon we were sailing
southward.
We cut the corner of the Agulhas Cur-
rent too tightly; the seas were a confused
The author and her daughter, Tor-
mentina, take advantage of the calm
weather and relax in the cockpit. Spot-
ting wildlife is a highlight for the kids
during the passage, and James shows
them a fl ying fi sh that landed on deck.