The Best Way Out, A South American Odyssey

Book excerpt:  “The Best Way Out” recounts a stirring tale of the misfortunes and triumphs of a young English/Argentine sailor from Devon in his quest to sail around Cape Horn. William is born of English Argentine parentage which generates an affection for his mother’s homeland. At an early age William Spyre is inculcated with maritime traditions and desire by his father who served in the Royal Navy. Although he becomes a modest barrister, Joseph Spyre’s unbounded affection and respect for the sea never dims as he passes along this love to his son William. After learning to sail competitively in Plymouth Bay, William turns to offshore racing and defies the odds as he survives the ‘79 Fastnet Race debacle. Tales of South America and Cape Horn grain racers told by Joseph imbue a burning desire in William to ‘Round the Horn’. His wealthy mentor gifts William a stout sloop for the journey and after a year of preparation William heads south in late Fall 1981 in the first leg of his adventure. Upon arriving in Buenos Aires to refit and visit relatives, unbeknownst to William, he has appeared on the cusp of the Falklands invasion. He is promptly arrested by the Argentine Junta as an English spy. Unable to break William or vanquish him, his sadistic Argentine Navy tormentor forces him into the Argentine Army for the invasion of the Falkland Islands. Alone and now the pariah of his platoon, because he’s English, William fears for his life at the hands of the Argentine Marines. He is spared and protected by his platoon Lieutenant, because there is a need for him; he’s their interpreter. After surviving the invasion and occupation of Stanley, William is transferred to Goose Green just prior to the British counter invasion. During a vicious fire fight in the dead of the southern winter, toward the end of May 1982 William find that he’s on the losing end, but he is rescued by a British Soldier in a bizarre coincidence of luck. After the “Arggies” capitulate, William’s British identity cannot be established, so he is returned to Argentina as a POW. He and his wounded buddy make their way back to Buenos Aires on the famous Ruta 3 , bumming rides with good Samaritan, long haul truckdrivers. He reunites with his extended family in Buenos Aires, but is placed under surveillance by Astes. William’s PTSD and now paranoia about Astes alerts him to trouble, so with the aid of his ever-resourceful cousin Rafael, he quickly refits his boat and sails again for Cape Horn. Due to the poor preparation of his hasty departure, he is subsequently wrecked on the coast of Patagonia, rescued by the Argentine/Welch, and is nursed back to health. He has a torrid, illicit love affair with his Welsh host’s daughter, forcing the couple to flee for their lives across Patagonia. In their flight they are relentlessly pursued by William’s Argentine nemesis, Lt Cmdr. Alfredo Astes. William continues to pose a major threat to Astes’ tenuous hold on power. William and his love, Angharad take refuge in Santiago, Chile, where Astes hatches an unsuccessful plot to kill William. This failed attempt unseats Astes from power, but he remains a threat. Angharad encourages to complete his Cape Horn quest, so he takes a tenuous step, travels to Ushuaia, hires a veteran skipper and boat and finally conquers the Horn in winter. The trip out to and around the Horn in winter is a thrilling adventure in and of itself. After sailing past Cape Horn, instead of being jubilant at attaining his goal, William becomes introspective and finally realizes that his attaining his goal has come at the expense of others. He sees that the journey itself is what mattered which was enabled by the love, respect and sacrifice of his closest friends and family. William finally realizes that it is they who are important, not attaining a seemingly impossible goal. He learns this lesson a little late in life, but better learned than never understood. One would think that the story ends here, but no, there’s one last, dangerous problem that must be dealt with - Lt Cmdr. Alfredo Astes. Back in Ushuaia after the Horn, William inadvertently encounters his antagonist Astes and a confrontation ensues, but you must read the book to find out what happens. - Who will prevail and how? The incredible natural beauty and majesty of Chile and Argentina set the backdrop and inspiration for this account of intrigue, betrayal, passion and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.