Where shall this story be started? There are two tempting points: at the start of ,,Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races 1998``, or at my arrival in Dublin. The first has to be done by someone who joined the race at that point, and the second is not really part of what I want to say. So I'll settle to the next possible time, the start of the windjammer parade, leaving Dublin harbour.
At that time I was up in the rigg, with a beautiful view around Dublin, at the harbour, and all the other ships sailing in front of, and behind us. While wishing farewell to Dublin and its people, I remembered some events of the past few days: the presentation ceremony, with ,,Alex-Crew`` getting a bit wild once again (started to run all over the place, passing all crews, many thanks to our liasion officer, who helped me to join in, as last of the group, by taking the flag for that time!), there are those russian crew members who posed under the flag of ,,Sail Training Association Germany``, I hope they didn't get too angry, once thay found out..., shall I add the girl from the ship Esprit, who wanted to get an ,,Alex``-T-Shirt, and gave me her ,,Esprit``-T-Shirt in exchange?
But now we are on our way back home, hopefully that there will be enough wind, blowing in the right direction.
Shortly after leaving the harbour all ships set course to their respective destinies, so do we. Some last farewells, and off we go.