On 6th August we had a dismaster

We had just crossed the line

That early morning at four am

Alec on his own, on early morning watch

Full moon shining bright, as the boat sped along

Feeling good and happy

Back in his half of our world

With its familiar stars

The plough had already been seen

Pointing down towards the yet unseen

That great guiding star, the North Pole Star

Cherry was all unaware

As she slept on, not feeling so good

Neptune had laid her low for two days past

Twelve hours later, in the afternoon

While Alec slept, then Cherry called

The wind had swung, now from the north west

The sails were all wrong, the boat would not steer

Pointing the wrong way to wind in the sail

Motoring now, straight into the wind

Move the sails across to the other side

Gently does it, not too much

The sky is black, the squalls are near

The wind blew hard

But we had seen it all before

We were not worried

Our boat was strong

Thirty knot gusts

Seven knots of speed

All under control

Out of nowhere, there was a loud crack and a bang

Our rig had fallen into the sea!

On the starboard side, hanging there

Lines everywhere, all very strange

We just could not believe what we saw

What to do?

The boat was OK but it would soon be dark

We must not leave it

We could not move it

Decision was made, out with the bolt croppers

Harness on, clip on

Wind was still howling, heavy rain was falling

Must be safe, think carefully where to cut

Genoa first, undo bolts, cut loose and throw over the side

Cut loose lines next, wire and ropes, Cherry as well

But boom was caught up, could pull down solar panels

Big effort to slide everything forward, mast as well

Now it is clear, cut free and throw over

Now for the mast, still hanging there

Only one line left, must not damage the boat sides

Cut it and over and down she goes

Slowly sinking

Goodbye our mast and sails and all

You served us well, it is sad to see you go

But we could not save you

This is our offering to Neptune

We crossed the line

Maybe we did not show respect

Champagne would have been cheaper!

The deck is clear, it is so strange

Our proud Gypsy Lady has been stripped naked

She is now a motor boat, no more sailing

We have enough fuel to see us to land

We are safe!

One engine only

Three knots of speed

460 miles to go

We are sad and exhausted but cannot relax

Already we are planning, thinking ahead

This should not have happened

Big money was spent on rigging

Questions must be asked

And we must understand the answers

The human spirit is still strong

Our Rainbow dream is still alive

Rainbow Gypsy shall be restored

Riding the seas again, with wind in her sails

We shall continue

Following our destiny

To follow the coastlines all over our world

Until the end of our time