Race 12 - Day 16
Crew Diary - New York to Derry-Londonderry
12 July
Leg 8 – Race 12 – Day 16 – Sandra Squire
The Adventures of Lord Spinnaker, VangMan, TackWoman & The Grinder Girls
Aka: “The Pit Team”
Episode One – Shades of Grey
The Pit Team have been on watch for three hours of their six hour watch. The North Atlantic is in a grey and cold mood. The sky is grey, the clouds are grey, the sea is grey, even the dolphins are grey. The outlook for the next three hours is silent, grey and sombre with just the noise of water rushing by.
A shrill loud voice calls “Grind for me peasants”. Vangman and Tackwoman raise eyebrows and grin at each other as the Grinder Girls leap into action, recovering the collapsing kite before retaking their positions before Lord Spinnaker's feet.
VangMan calls “How fast are we going?” to those in the Land of Tranquillity behind the traveller. “About 9” comes the response. “Is that it?” says TackWoman, trying to work out the speed to level of heel ratio and finding it somewhat lacking.
Conversation turns to whether getting glute implants to have larger bottoms would make the deck feel any softer, TackWoman has seen a documentary on this procedure and is unconvinced, suggesting padded cycling shorts as an alternative.
The wind increases and so does the heel of the boat. “Are we going any faster now?” asks one of the Grinder Girls as the boat heels further over. “Blow the Vang” comes the shout from the Land of Tranquillity.
“Damn” thinks TackWoman “The end of the boom in the water would have made a great photo, now what are we going to enter into the photo competition?”
Finally a call to arms “Dolphins!” Everyone rushes to the rail to look.
“They're whales” comes a reply.
“Grind!” yells Lord Spinnaker but no-one is listening. VangMan assists in emergency grinding and suggests it may be time for Lord Spinnaker to hand over the 'Red Rope of Doom' for a while.
Five minutes of arguing ensues over whose turn it is this time. VangMan disappears off to the Land of Tranquillity to helm so avoiding his turn. The Grinder Girls start keeping a mental list of how many times everyone has been on the red rope.
“Anyone for tea?” The mood instantly brightens....
Until next time: join in with The Pit Team's Theme Tune – Sing it Loud ….
“Let's go fly a kite.............”
Dear Friends, Families & Supporters
Here we are finally coming up to the finish line of what has seemed at times a very long race. It's been somewhat of a mixed bag and we've seen the many different moods of the North Atlantic but one thing has remained constant. That is the morale, high spirits and good mood of everyone onboard. When we were in a wind hole, we put on the tunes and were singing and dancing on deck. When we were cold and wet, we made each other tea and brought out the biscuits. When we were down or concerned we had a hug and kind words for each other. This is a truly great team.
We've even made time to create a “boat dance” that will be performed upon our return to Liverpool (Yes Max, even by you!) Admittedly this has had our Skipper Dave a little bemused by our high spirited on deck antics!
We'll be there soon. We promise.
Shout outs -
To my Mum - who chose the time I was in the North Atlantic to break her neck, worrying everyone immensely. Will you just behave woman and do what those doctors tell you.
To the children at Magdalen Academy – Dream BIG. Trust me, anything is possible.
To my eldest son Michael – Give up the SATS results sunshine, you must have them by now!
To my youngest son Bob – I'll be home on 28th July. I promise. And no, I didn't get you a present from the North Atlantic!
To everyone else – If each day is a gift, what are you going to do with it?
Love to all
x