Race 4 - Day 6
Crew Diary - Race 4 Day 6: Fremantle to Sydney
08 December

Marion Shepherd
Marion Shepherd
Team Dare To Lead
Back to Reports View Team Page

As a legger and new to sailing, I have so much to learn but also so much to see. When thinking about what I would write, I thought I was going to talk about my progression with the learning but what has captivated me over the last few days is actually the nights.

I expected the night watches to be hard, and indeed they have their difficulties, but they are magical too. The sea and the sky gives 50 shades of grey a whole new meaning. For a few nights, the moon has shone down giving a shimmering path on the sea to our valiant boat. It has accentuated the shades of grey. The sea a very dark slate grey mixed with the reflections of the moonlight on the waves and the sky and clouds above a mixture of many lighter shades. I had a sense of the power of the sea but felt that it was strong not hostile. I expect that my view may be very different when the weather is rough but that is how I have felt so far. I am oddly comforted by its strength.

Last night there was no moon to be seen until late in our watch. The sea was almost black and it was hard to see where it ended and the sky began but the stars shone bright. My son James, a circumnavigator in the last Clipper Race, asked me to say hello to the Southern Cross, a friend to him then helping to guide him safely along. Job done, James. I will look upon it with fondness because it did keep him safe.

Last night we had the Code 2 spinnaker up and I was tasked with being on the coffee grinder ready to grind when the helm so ordered. I spent most of my time looking at the spinnaker trying to anticipate that call from the helm. The spinnaker was lit up by the mast light and, at its best, is full of grace. The silhouette of the anti-wrap net danced around on it. I felt at peace.

Finally on race start day (Australian time), when I formally started what I have been telling everyone is “my little adventure,” my granddaughter, Mila, was born and I welcome her to the world and to her very great adventure of life. You are much loved and I can hardly wait to meet you in person and cuddle you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Marion