Crew Blog

Not just a one off

02 February 2008

So it wasn’t just a one off schedule: Jamaica Clipper is still in the lead! We’d love to tell you how we’re doing it, but we’re not too sure ourselves. For once though, we’ve had no major sailing disasters. Ok, so we’re beating into the wind, but this must be the longest time we’ve ever managed without having to repair at least one of the spinnakers. Our resident sail-repairer-extraordinaire, Bernard, is beside himself. Doesn’t know what to do with all this free time, and has never spent this much time on deck. We considered putting him on a ‘Return to Work’ refresher course, to help him get back into the sailing, but he seems to be just about coping.

It’s the galley hands that are suffering the most at the moment. It’s still pretty hot and stuffy below decks, though gradually getting better, and the heel makes for a challenging mother watch. We’re having our fair share of curries at the moment. If in doubt then turn it into a curry. Covers a multitude of sins. We had mutton curry last night, which luckily tasted a lot better than it sounds. We still have some fresh fruit left too. It’s always a turning point in the race when the fresh fruit runs out. It’s particularly devastating if it goes off before we’ve had a chance to eat it –or remembered which inaccessible locker we stowed it in. The potatoes and onions should last a fair bit longer, and we stowed them in their usual places so we shouldn’t forget them.

Obviously, life on board can’t go totally smoothly. We’re currently struggling with a leak into our comms area, and a temperamental generator. At least it’s keeping the boys busy trying to fix it. They’re much happier when they’ve got something to mend. And we wouldn’t feel right if it was all going according to plan…

One love,

Claire