Race 1 - Day 7
Crew Diary - Race 1, Day 7
08 September

WOW, what a week that was.

I’m sitting in the saloon typing this having just fed the crew their last meal of the day. Someone said I should have called it Peruvian Surprise as it is a term they use in their house when a meal is prepared from what’s leftover in the pantry, which in this case was potatoes, sweet potatoes, some red peppers, garlic, tinned beans, crème fresh and pasta. It was delicious and we have certainly needed fuel throughout the last week, as we have experienced everything from beating down the English channel and crossing the Bay of Biscay (that’s one off the bucket list) in winds of 40 knots.

I find it quite amazing how you can put 21 people from all different backgrounds and nationalities in what is essentially a fibreglass tube, present them with all types of challenges and yet they are still able to form bonds and rise to those challenges as a team.

Yesterday, I was summoned by Josh my Skipper to the ‘nav station’ to be told that he had received an email from the Clipper Race office to inform me that my son and his partner have just had their first child, Finlay Joseph. I would like to thank the team for letting me know. I think a nice cold beer awaits in Portugal for myself and fellow crewmates to wet the baby's head.

The mood on the boat constantly changes as positions change throughout the fleet but for me, it is more about the overall challenge rather than winning or losing.

Not too far now before we get to Portugal and the chance to actually speak to family and friends although it’s only been just over a week there is already so much to tell and share.

Signing off till next time,