Crew Blog

Caught by competitiveness

03 February 2008

Excitement is still running high here on Uniquely Singapore. As with the past few days we’re still racing in close sight of Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper and Hull & Humber, with the New York lights occasionally flashing into view in our rear view mirrors.

I always thought I was one of the least competitive people to take part in this race, being here for the experience rather than having the main aim of winning. However I find myself being caught up in the emotions of my fellow crew mates, and even occasionally wishing some harmless bad luck will befall those other boats in sight. This is not at all like me, and I’m secretly a bit horrified as I have the reputation of being the boat “hippy” to keep up, being overtly on the laid back side. Maybe I’m starting to turn into a racer after all, who knows, although I suspect it will pass and probably sooner than it should!

Life on board is as chirpy as ever, in spite of the continual beating into wind and heeling over. Mother watch today for Koh and me has been a day of getting to know each other perhaps a little more intimately than anticipated as we bounce about in the galley and saloon. A sense of humour is absolutely vital for mother watch at an angle, as with all aspects of life here on board; and I can safely say that in spite of the angles, bangs, leaks and bilge watches there is till plenty of giggling to be heard.

On a different strain, I can report, as boat medic that there is a bit of a rash spreading its way around some of the crew in various parts of the anatomy! Although we believe this is due to being consistently damp with salt water and seems to be disappearing with the aid of some wet wiping, talcing and moisturising frenzies! Note to Baz: please bring us a couple of tubs of Sudocrem in Qingdao

Hi to everyone we left in Singapore, it was great to catch up with you, and in particular to Hizam – we hope you’re fighting fit again soon.

Love to all
Marlena xx

PS – a bit of personal admin… A big welcome into the wide world to Freddie Gates; and two early Happy Birthdays to Danny and Beatrice. Missing their mums especially! xxx