Race 13 - Day 4
Crew Diary - Derry-Londonderry to Liverpool
25 July

The end is in sight, and it still doesn't get any easier. Right now we are on a hard port tack and water pours into the galley with every wave that crashes over the hatch, it doesn't seal properly. But that will not stop us from holding course and going through. I speak for the crew when I say that we will go through pretty much anything at this point to get to that finish line. The round the worlders are eagerly counting down the days till arrival with a near feverish joy in their eyes. Every breakfast is accompanied with a last ____day on the boat.

We have sailed through the worst and I would be remiss if I didn't cover some of the best. The joy of sitting on deck and feeling the wind pass you by is a simple but favourite. Watching the sea life come up all around the boat and our response, usually ranging from quick get the camera and everyone on deck to, shut up and just enjoy this moment. And to best illustrate this would probably be the event that took place last night. When the sun was getting ready to set, a pod of dolphins came by the boat and where swimming around us having fun. We all reached for our cameras and tried our best to get an action shot of them leaping from the water. Then the sun went down and we all settled in for our watch of helming and tacking, with the possibility of reefing further down the line. When the wind started picking up and we finished reefing the mainsail we noticed some splashing in the water. The dolphins where back and jumping along side the boat. This was a moment of silent wonder as they dove through the inky black waters.

I have personally seen many moments of such beauty and wonder that I am truly lucky to have experienced this. But if asked if we would do it again, many would give a resounding no. This is a great experience but better kept as a once in a lifetime thing. I would love to cross the oceans again someday, but hopefully in a more comfortable setting. Possibly a shower being involved and a bed that is suitable for someone of my hight.

Today is Wednesday and this will all be over by Saturday. So it is with a heavy heart that I say this chapter in my life is coming to a close, but there will always be space for the next chapter and that is still a mystery.