Crew Blog

The secret perks of the victuallers

01 October 2007

Well, we’re still on our way to the Canaries! It seems to be taking a couple of days longer than anticipated, we’re whizzing along anywhere between 0-1 knot, evidently Graham’s Visor of Speed hasn’t lived up to its name over the past 36 hours; the windseeker and lightweight spinnaker have been up and down more times than a frog on speed and even the dolphins have deserted us in search of more excitement, but spirits on Uniquely Singapore are still running high. It’s sunny and hot, hot, hot; due to get hotter still (even John has carefully folded the midlayers away), the fishing line is dangling over the stern (Dan is ever hopeful), some have been putting the rest of us smelly people to shame by washing clothes which are now hanging over the guard rails to dry and we’ve cranked up Eddie Izzard for a bit of afternoon entertainment - yesterday it was a live acoustic session with Terry on deck, who knows what tomorrow will bring! Night watches are incredible: stunning moonrises, stars and planets, shooting stars, dolphins, phosphorescence, and, thankfully, a little cooler.

Tim and I are on mother watch today - undoubtedly the most important role on the boat, keeping everyone fed, watered, soothed and a grand cleaning session to follow. Best of all is that we get our much needed weekly shower at the end, quite a luxury really. There’s a bit of pressure attached as we get to control the daily snack allowance - a double whammy for me as I’m the only one who knows where the Green and Blacks choccies are stashed (perk of being a victualler)! The boat lurgy is still doing the rounds, Ian is today’s man-flu whinger, followed by a few sniffles from others, but it seems to be abating now.

A big high five to everyone who’s helped or is due to join us along the way and, of course, our armchair supporters. Keep it coming - you’ve no idea how much it means to us. As this is my diary entry I get to say a special hi to my friends and family in England, Oz and Wales. Love to everyone xxx

Marlena