Race 13 - Day 1
Crew Diary - Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland to Den Helder, Netherlands
18 July

Our penultimate race started well; we were one of the first around the mark and were chased by a handful of the other boats. I was very happy to have a normal race start and not a le mans, I love the buzz of a le mans but something always goes wrong for Da Nang – Viet Nam!

After we'd been sailing an hour or so it was time for bed for the watch I was on. Which meant no sleep for me! Instead I lay in bed for 3 hours telling myself to go to sleep and thinking about the next few months. Getting back to reality is going to be quite difficult I suspect, yet I am dying to get off the boat. I guess it’s a mixed bag of emotions really.

I really didn’t want to get on in Derry-Londonderry. But thanks to Paul, Kirsty and my family (who can be very persuasive) I did. Being so close to home made me the most homesick I've been, that and the surprise visit from my sister Chani and the two little ones. How on earth do you leave such wonderful little human beings> Gosh it was tough. When I left last year neither were talking and Hadley had just started walking, now she runs everywhere and my lord does she natter, I wonder who she takes after?! And Coops is just the most kind and adorable little boy. They've changed so much. But I guess I have too.

I have mixed feelings about being on the boat and getting off. As I’ve explained before I know I'll miss it, but there's a hell of a lot I won’t miss. So, here's my top 10 won't miss list!! (In no particular order)

1. Going to toilet at an angle
2. Dirty drinking cups that stink
3. Dirty people not washing up properly
4. People fingering my food!
5. People sneezing/coughing over everything and not covering their mouth
6. Lazy people
7. Injured people
8. Freeze dried meat
9. My Foulies
10.Getting up at 2am in the cold and wet

But only 2 more weeks to go! This makes me very happy!

Love and light to all my gorgeous friends and family, I can't wait to see you all especially my Nanny. See you dockside sugar!

Lara xxxx