A World Measured in Landfalls

This thread follows the voyage’s widening horizons, from Atlantic crossings to Australia, and shows how each landfall deepens Michael’s sense of the world.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Atlantic Lessons

From Biscay to Africa The ocean resists the plan The Bay of Biscay brings a force-nine gale and the family’s early progress falls far short of their hoped-for distance. Michael sees how quickly the sea can turn an exciting plan into a frightening test. The map becomes lived experience After reaching Spain and sailing toward the Azores, the family follows the African coast. Charts and school lessons become immediate concerns as they avoid the Doldrums and learn to read weather and current.

Football in Brazil

A Familiar Game Abroad A beach match While the Peggy Sue is being repaired at Recife, Michael and his father begin kicking Eddie’s ball around. Local children join them, and the casual game becomes a proper match between Michael’s Mudlarks and a side called Brazil. Home travels with him Michael’s mother plays on his team, which wins. The match makes the distant coast feel briefly familiar, showing how friendship, sport, and family can carry pieces of home into an unfamiliar place.

Halfway Around the World

Australia in Sight Arrival after empty ocean After a long stretch across the Indian Ocean, the family sights Australia. Their shared excitement makes the landfall feel like a discovery, although they know they have reached only the halfway point of their intended circumnavigation. A fragile progress The achievement is shadowed by Michael’s mother’s recurring stomach cramps. The voyage has brought the family closer, but the condition of the skipper will soon matter to their safety.

September and October 1987

November 1987 at Recife

April 3, 1988, off Perth