Position: To come
In a rare move, I returned to my warm, soft sheepskin for over an hour reading and dozing. I’m slowly beginning to realize what a rude and sudden end this voyage is going to take. It’s the right move in order for us to move on.
I want to record my feelings of the moments between entering Fremantle harbour and my first contact with the outside world, and I feel they could easily be lost in the moment of stepping off the boat and falling into the crowd. These will be the last moments of an amazing voyage. I hope not to lose them. I realize now it has been the solitude that has unleashed my creativity, aided by the rich environment of the open ocean. Where will all of that go once it’s over?
I also know that once I am ashore I’ll realize what we have accomplished and how much dedicated, single-minded, hard work it took to achieve. To maybe have to leave WW II behind will be a supreme sacrifice which seems to be the fate of all the boats I have built. A pattern emerges in my life, a very distinct characteristic pattern. First there is the dream, then the years of single-minded focus, concentrated, unstoppable drive to fulfill the dream and never a small dream, always one on the grandest scale the only limits that I must stay on the planet.
These voyages, of which there are many, are epic and require certain special skills and a mind set to even consider them let alone implement them. Where do these qualities and dreams come from? When I return, we can chart a new course and move on together working on the
same goal.
I feel very very lucky to have been able to pursue my dream. It is well to note that I have never achieved or succeeded in realizing my original dreams, and, what we originally set out to do always led us down a different path. When it was over and we stood back, we realized it was not about what we thought it was going to be about, but something with much greater meaning than we could ever have imagined.
That’s the mystery and the wonder of life. None of these dreams could have ever been accomplished without you there with me MaryLou and hopefully you realize the value of all you have done to support our adventure. I was never out here alone. You are always with me.
This is why we haven’t finished the book. We needed the last chapter. Now we can write the book and tell the whole story. And now, more than ever, it will talk about the huge contribution and many sacrifices you made and what you gained from the adventure.
Dear Glenn,
Cheering you on no matter which direction you take. You have been following your dream just like you told the students at McLean back in the day. We are all proud of you.
Pat and Fred
Hi Glenn and Marylou,
We have good friends who live in Fremantle Jill and Ron Kawalilak. Ron is from Edmonton and we all were friends back in Vancouver days. I have forwarded your blog to them and have suggested they attempt to say g’day to you on your arrival. I do hope you get to meet up. Cheers for now Sal and Geoff.
Hey Glenn:
You are indeed an inspiration, the first thing in the morning, we check to see if there has been a ‘Glenn’ update, – first and foremost is our concern about your safety due to equipment failure, the icing on the cake is reading about your epic adventure.
I am sure that the Aussies will give you a hearty Good on ya mate when you reach Fremantle.
Stevie & Dean
I’m flabbergasted and disappointed by Glenn’s abandoning his attempt to solo around the world! Personally, I made two Atlantic crossings in my 35′ Hallberg Rassy in 1987 and 1988. My preparations included the complete replacement of 6mm shrouds with 10mm shrouds. In almost four years of sailing of 20,000 miles I never had a shroud failure. Why can’t you replace all your shrouds in Fremantle and continue your journey? A little 15-year old Dutch girl did it recently, and many years ago a 16-year old boy in a small sailboat called Dove did it as well! Come on Glenn, complete your trip! You can do it! Rob
True words from the wise! Its not the destination right.. the journey you’re on now will have many more chapters! I hope you will not leave WWII behind. Is there such a small window that to continue your adventure you’d have to wait another year?
Your voyage is such an inspiration to us all — sailors and landlubbers alike! It seems such a pity to give it all up because of the rule book and a repair job. Is it possible to complete the repairs, and carry on the voyage. I know we’d all be cheering for you. Who cares about the rules and regulations governing what constitutes a proper solo circumnavigation — what’s in the heart is what really counts!
You are a lovely man Glenn Wakefield! Rest assured, we have all learned a lot from your example and sharing and are very lucky for it. Travel well and delight in the welcomes you receive. You will remember clearly all the other important images you have stored up in the fullness of the time that will follow. Douglas Adkins
How true Glenn. Safe return to Fremantle.
Glenn Your ability to turn your mind to setting out again was in itself an incredible achievement that is undiminished by the equipment failure that forced you to turn back. In fact, I am in awe of your ability to stay focused on what you can still achieve and not on what must be a gut-wrenching disappointment. Thank you for taking on this great adventure and for sharing it with us from one who has never had the temerity to break the bonds of ordinary life. Keep safe. Craig
I followed your journey from the beginning , every day waiting to get your next posting. My heart goes out to you.
All the best and keep up that spirit!!! Rosemarie Venne
Glenn, T
his post is definitely a love song, memorable, well written and straight from the heart. I feel certain we all step out on to our individual adventures alone but with the support of those friends and loves who are always with us, influencing, supporting, and just being there for us.
You say it so well. I want to read your book. Yours and MaryLou’s.
Doug
I have stood, many late nights in my back yard, looking up at the stars, trying to imagine what you were doing and what you were experiencing, based on your posts. I am keenly interested, as my first blue water experience is coming in 4 months. I’ve watched you build your boat to a state that’s required for such an adventure and learned from it. I’ve used your posts and you example to get my head around what, in some small way, what’s in store for me in my first Vic-Hawaii excursion. It’s no Southern Ocean trip and I still don’t know … not yet, but you’ve helped me get into a realistic mind set for my first adventure. You’re exploits are the stuff of many dreams … you keep dreaming too… Mark, SV Saturnus RVYC
Will see you, when you arrive in Fremantle, good sailing Glen and take care.
Russ VK6NRI
Glen
Why would you not repair the mast cables restock and continue your journey back to Victoria. I know that it wouldn’t be the same as your original plan but it still would be a feat as is your trip so far.
Bob
I have learned so much from your comments of the bond you share with your wife. It was great to observe a tiny part of this relationship. That you are coming home to her is a far better gift than the actual planned end for this voyage. At heart we are all romantics. Bravo.