Azores in sight - but where's my crew?

The return crossing is drawing nearer, and so far we are three crew strong. When I had to disappoint a lot of people on the crossing to Grenada, the trip to the Azores is drawing much less positive response. Not that I don't get inquiries, but a lot of people are perhaps looking for something else.

By now, I've learned never to count on anyone, so I always try to get some back-ups. This time, however, just getting 4 crew is hard work. I've had to answer dozens of text messages - all by the same person - just to arrange a Skype-session only to hear he wouldn't be joining us. In the end, I may be cheaper off just hiring paid crew. But I'm confident we'll get enough crew for the crossing by the time we reach the BVI.

After all, who wouldn't want to sail to the Azores? Those mystical islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean have always lured me and many other sailors. It's certainly a special target of this trip and we've got some good friends coming over once we're there.

So getting to the Azores may be the end of the Caribbean part of the journey, it's also a long cherished dream coming true. I'm answering about 2 e-mails a week now inquiring into the crossing, but so far only one positive reply and one crew are certain. And that's if all goes well.