The 0520 morning departure from Port Suez was text book, cast off and Athina turned gracefully, with little adjustment from a tired looking Johnny, to point south out into the Red Sea as the first glimpses of morning sun probed through. As we passed what must have been up to 30 ships of various sizes either starting their own journey North through the Suez or laid up waiting for the go command, we were free again and once set on a heading, the twin turbo Penta's were pushed up to 2200 rpm and once again roaring.
Once into the main shipping channel we felt the full swell and the 30kt southern wind and Johnny deselected the autopilot and spent the next 5-6 hours keeping the bows riding the waves with consummate grace albeit it with a few bum-clenching moments as we flew over the crests of the larger waves at max speed plunging the bows deep into the preceding wave only to feel her wash off the breaker and raise her head. Arguably Mr Lawsons finest hour as that took some real skill but let's not blow too much sunshine up his aft quarters !!
The change of track onto an easterly heading through the Gas well heads and platforms was inspired as the shelter from the heavy swell aided our progress and allowed Johnny a well deserved break from wrestling the wheel. I took the con for the easy last hour past the dive site of the HMS Thistlegorm which was busy with 5 or 6 dive live-aboards ( next time baby! ) around beacon point and past the beautiful reefs and rocky outcrops of Ra's Mohammad and beneath the peaks of the Mount Sinai range Which were starting to glow in the amber evening sun. Sandra drove the final leg into Sharm harbour as all the day trip dive and cruise boats were returning before Captain Johnny slipped us effortlessly alongside. Beer O'clock after a long 185 mile day but Athina didn't miss a beat.
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