Well, another race, another wind hole! We had all hoped we had seen the last of these, but no, sadly. We had a really good start and a couple of wonderful spurts of proper sailing: on an angle, racing along with the gunwales in the water, great stuff, but oh so much bobbing about waiting for that all elusive breeze and seeing the fleet dissipate around us.
Image: Jacqueline Webb
Luckily, we have quizzes, humour and a wonderfully fun crew to get us through the hot, humid, slow days and nights.
We shared a quiz with three other yachts one night as we all floated becalmed within a couple of miles of each other. We have quizzes on board with themes from pirates to Cockney rhyming slang set by different people with lots of fun outcomes.
As I said, we have humour and also amazing food! One of the benefits of the sea being flat and very little action is that the Mother Watch has the opportunity to get very creative with the meals so, we have all been eating very well. I don’t seem to be able to lose that weight I was hoping to – it seems rude not to try all the delicious meals on offer! Today I will be making fresh mango and prawns cooked in coconut milk with rice and veggies on the side.
Here are a few words about each of our great crew this leg – in no particular order, and why we have all stayed sane and in good spirits:
Jules – our specialist DJ keeping the music (and sometimes dancing) coming.
Muriel – media person extraordinaire: always there taking pictures and encouraging blogs.
Jim C – the quiet achiever, fixing things and quite a dab hand in the galley.
Andy – full of stories, great quizmaster and a real gentleman in the old sense of the word.
*Jac K – the best Team Coordinator and keeping us all (especially Josh) organised.
*Gerard – full of positive encouragement and big smiles – excellent, excellent 100%.
*Garry & Manuel – our very organised and patient Watch Leaders.
*Our 3 Irish crew whose infectious laughter rings around the boat day and night.
Mike – always positive (sometimes known as Party Mike in anticipation of Bermuda) and, on a personal note, an excellent person to share the bunk space with.
Harpo – the best victualler, bar none, in the fleet.
Amira – adding an exotic element to our meals with no fuss or fanfare.
Tim – the Doc, with lots of good stories and again, on a personal note, a great helming partner.
Stewart – our New York planner, we’re all looking forward to the fruits of his labour.
AQP Angela – always coaching and giving positive affirmation.
And of course Skipper Josh, what can I say that hasn’t been said many times, the best Skipper on the best boat (we’re just a bit biased) – patient, safe and skilful but also full of fun and nonsense in the appropriate places.
There is, of course, so much more to each crew member, all here enjoying and/or just experiencing all this leg has to offer. Everyone will come away with their own version of the time spent here on this little boat in a big ocean. There are many memories and friendships being made.
Supporters at home: thanks for sharing your loved ones with us. They all make up the rich tapestry that makes a great crew.
Love and Hugs to everyone at home. I’ll be there soon. The countdown is on.
Jacq xxoo
PS. by Jules: Jacqui W: Super experienced sailor always happy to share her seamanship skills and top Grandma Pirate.