Race 6 - Day 18
Crew Diary - Race 6 Day 18
09 February
The ravings of a madman.
Well finally the clouds have lowered, the Maltese flag is flying, and we walk on the walls. The real sailing has begun. Wind speeds have increased, but the sea state is not too bad. Somehow I am sporting a bit of queasiness, which makes life more interesting.
The increased weather means every task has been ratcheted up a notch in difficulty. Like a video game, we have beaten the dreaded doldrums boss, and now we move on to the slightly more menacing brother, who is out for a bit of vengeance. Let's not talk about the other more savage bosses we are still due to meet. Leg 6 has been dubbed Voldemort by the Round The World-ers
Josh had carefully warned us that a front was imminent so we can't say we didn't expect it.
Our jobs have now actually taken on some meaning, before some of the roles were token in nature. Engineering for example, now have a few buckets of bilge water to remove each hour, as water finds its way through holes and other fittings. Every so often water is ejected over the deck and runs into the companionway stairs. The delight on Jacqueline's face when such a wave filled her newly dried galley bilge was priceless.
A basic jaunt to the heads is faced with Abseiling down the companionway steps, ascending the galley via rope tow, to finally contort your way onto the toilet bowl. Oh, you also have to get your kit off, while maintaining one hand for stability. Once on the toilet bowl your mission is to hold yourself in place, while relaxing enough to do your business. Be quick before the lactic acid builds in the shoulders and you find yourself slipping off. So many puns and witty things could be said here, but some of you may be having breakfast.
Speaking of breakfast, Charlotte and I are sharing Mother watch today. Again everything is a little harder. Serving cereal is a two man job, so that the milk doesn't slide out the bowl like some kind of water amusement ride. Moving hot coffees around the galley is like playing Russian roulette with boiling water and forearms, who knows when the boat lurches and black coffee is decorating an already sweat stained shirt.
Oh well, not long to go now. Probably another 30 or so hours in this weather, before turning the corner to Subic Bay. It is propelling us closer to beers, burgers and aircon, so we are all happy. Now to cross the line in first place would really put a smile on the dial. However as racing goes, this is a very closely fought race.
Hello to Mum, Dad, friends and family in New Zealand and further afield. You are all in my thoughts. Now . . . im off with my climbing gear to wedge myself back in the galley.
Ciao for Now.
Tim