Race 10 - Day 23
Crew Diary - Race 10 Day 23: Seattle to Panama
23 May

Weather today – Scorchio!

After the excitement of Race 10, we found ourselves in the Pacific Ocean with limited fuel to reach the refuelling port in Costa Rica so we have paired up with Garmin, taking turns to tow one another to conserve fuel. Today is our turn to be towed and without the engine running the boat is quiet and a little cooler.

Just a minute, we've just heard a shout from above decks, the wind has picked up and we will be dropping the tow and commencing sailing. The crew have instantly perked up, they have been a bit lethargic the last few days lazing around in the heat being towed through the Doldrums so this is welcome news.

Sadly I can't go on deck and help to raise the sails as it is my turn to be galley slave for the day. So far, so good, everyone enjoyed the porridge and fresh coffee I made for breakfast but my next job is to bake bread for tomorrow. The bread I made last week was a disaster as it failed to rise and was very dense. After much debate it was decided that we couldn't throw it overboard in case we poisoned our friends the dolphins and turtles (who many of the female crew members talk to) so we saved my bread rolls as cannon balls in order to fend off pirates.

Yesterday morning as we were attaching the tow lines with Garmin, the day dawned with a beautiful orange sunrise and a pod of pilot whales passed by very close to the boats. Unfortunately they were a little camera shy for as soon as I had rushed below deck to grab my camera, they had vanished.

At the end of the day just before sunset we have been stopping for a much needed swim to cool down. I dived in off the bowsprit and was enjoying swimming in the warm, clear blue water when I came face to face with a large snake. My daughter Lucy, is a keen herpetologist and recently sent me a photo of such a creature from her expedition so I instantly recognised it as a sea snake. I was the only one wearing goggles who had seen it, so I shouted a warning. I have never seen the crew move so fast as they did up the scramble net and back onboard the boat. Once safely back on board we looked down to see lots of sea snakes and jelly fish surrounding the boat. Swimming is now less popular.

My bread has now risen, amazing!

Lots of love to Jeanine and Lucy, family and friends

Richard, Masterchef

xx