Race 13 - Day 5
Crew Diary - Derry-Londonderry to Liverpool
26 July

Luise Birgelen
Luise Birgelen
Back to Reports View Team Page

Leg 8 – Race 13 – Day 5 – Luise Birgelen

Hello sailors!

Well, well, well, the end is nearly upon us! Everyone since Derry (or since New York, to be honest), has been saying to enjoy these last few days at sea on our GREAT boat, and to really soak it in, because it'll soon all be over, and we'll be back to daily life, bla bla bla bla.

So I've really been trying. But today, both Pip and I have HAD it. It seems our good ship has been doing its utmost to make the goodbye as easy as possible. We have been beating upwind for the last couple of days, so let me paint you a picture of the ridiculousness that had to be endured:

* Hitting my head violently THREE times today (medical box falling on my head, sail locker, and bulk head doors)

* Coming into the galley in the morning to clean it up, only to grab extra amounts of galley juice (the mucky water that collects on the low side)

* Boxes falling over each other when trying to climb to the heads

* Damp socks, damp gloves, damp foulies

* Feeling constantly nauseous and sweaty because it's too splashy to open port holes

* Hitting my head and knees on the ceiling because my bunk is so high

* Headsail changes (the Yankee 1 is NOT my favorite sail)

This only calls back other things I won't miss from the last 10 months, such as

* A wave lifting me off the helming frame, slamming me back and bruising my tailbone so hard on leg 5, I couldn't sit down on the Pacific

* My shins and knee caps sweating on leg 5

* Being able to carry out pretty much all tasks whilst throwing up into a bag

But today finally, we eased the sheets, put the kite up, the sun came out, and oh isn't sailing glorious once again! It is incredible how fast the mood changes in that case, I really cannot describe the feeling. It is also incredible how you can be in the most foul mood, and wet and cold, and …. DOLPHINS! They leap and jump and skip and wave (ok, they don't really), but they will never cease to amaze and delight. Thank you Flipper 1 through 1000 (those are their names), for being our companions for the last 11 months. We'll come back to visit often.

Here are some of the things I WILL miss:

* Surfing down the waves under kite

* Jon Milne saying “yes boss”, when I ask him a question

* Doing a hitchy-hitchy-rolly-rolly-hitchy-hitchy knot perfectly

* Eggs and bacon after a cold early morning watch

* Ray doing anything

* Getting into my fleecy jumbo sleeping bag (a.k.a planet), the boat softly lolling me to sleep, feeling content and happy

* Lovely crew making peppermint tea with honey

* Playing chess with Scottie (ok, I only did that once, but he made me play, and then I won, so it was a good day)

* Andy's fantastic collection of hats, always brought out at the right time

* Every single dolphin and turtle

* Stars at night (my knowledge has increased from big dipper to southern cross!)

* The moon rising being mistaken for a ship with a particularly large stern light

* Phil whizzing under the traveller, tea strapped to his life jacket, putting a smile on my face

...and probably a whole host of other things I don't know yet that I'll miss!

But for now, we've got 300 miles to go until Liverpool (YES!), and my mood has eased somewhat. Dave had to give a little speech today to remind us not to lose it on the last miles, Pip and I think it was directed at us. So, we sail hard, we're driving it like we stole it, and I cannot wait for the reunion with family and friends, old and new, in 2 days time.

Much love, and THANK you for reading, for cheering, for emailing when I was down, for listening, for supporting and for being there in this frankly ridiculous thing that we / I chose to do!

Luise for the GREAT crew

P.S. I take it all back. I just saw a whale breach fully outside the water. The last 10 months were absolutely worth it. Nature is amazing.

P.S. Mutti, I'm still fine, see you Saturday!!