Race 4 - Day 20
Crew Diary - It’s Josh’s Birthday!!
07 December
Hello from the Southern Ocean!
There are certain places us 'ordinary' folk should know better than to visit - war zones, disused nuclear plants and public toilets after midnight. Then there are the planet's own no-go zones, places I think of as equally off limits. The Sahara desert and the Antarctic being good examples. Yes, we can explore them, but to be honest, I don't think we're really wanted or welcomed there.
I've now added the Southern Ocean to the list I think Mother Nature wants to keep just for herself, and the albatrosses. I'm not even convinced underwater creatures are welcome, having seen none.
To discourage travellers like us from invading she's made it an as unpleasant as possible - grey, cold, rainy, wavy, grey and did I mention grey? (I want to make a joke about Fifty Shades Of Grey right now but that's probably for a different kind of blog).
For someone who lives in Belfast I see steely grey skies and rain constantly, I thought I'd seen every shade of grey possible, I was wrong, fifty shades is tame. How often do you hear someone say, ‘Oh, there's a lovely grey sky?' Correct - NEVER. I think the crew even turned grey for a week or so.
It seems when we do venture into such territories we do it to conquer. To satisfy an instinct to challenge. Despite the thunderous waves, whipping wind and frozen hail - and did I mention grey? Still we come, boat after boat, year after year. And of course we'll continue to do so. We don't like boundaries or limits or being told we can't do something and I guess that is why the crew of Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam has spent the last 3 weeks intruding on one of Mother Nature's most furious frontiers. She threw down a challenge and we rose to the occasion - but just so you know, like any good guest, we know when it’s time to leave, and I think we've outstayed our welcome. Yes we're racing to the podium for sure but also to leave this cold, grey, barren bath to its rightful owner.
Yes folks, Leg 3 is nearly done and dusted, and what a leg it’s been, so many moments that made me smile - here are just a few.
* Mark reading a bedtime story from the 'Advanced Celestial Navigation' manual to help me sleep.
* Josh's cunning plan to keep an injured crew member from getting bored was 'to give him a potato to peel'
*Haz leaving chocolate treats on our pillows each evening - and Manuel not noticing and waking to find his melted inside his sleeping bag - well he claimed it was chocolate and he's sticking to that.
* After removing 24,9048540,0348050 buckets of water from a bilge, Donie slips and spills the final bucket over me 'by accident'.
* Mark asking 'Would you like some chocolate? I just found it on the floor.'
*Explaining to Jess how important it was to close the lid of the container before using it to shake the liquid pancake mix. Then not closing the lid shaking, yes, you know what happened next (Sorry Jess).
* Hugo shouting from the mast - 'Jacqueline, look at the compass!! It’s the round thing in front of your face.'
* Comparing 'sea worms' - best not ask.
* Getting toilet paper caught in my back of my salopettes creating a toilet roll cape, like a really bad superhero.
*Adam pouring Durritos on top of his Irish stew - to the collective yelps of outrage from the crew.
*Anything Blair says, he's a funny guy.
*Wangy's happy head as he emerged through the companion-way with his 'Wangy Report' white board.
* My cockpit water fight with Mark - I crushed him.
The list could go on and on. We sailed hard and laughed a lot. And for that I thank the wonderful crew, Josh and Hugo.
I'm typing this the night before Josh's (AKA Thor's) birthday. His present from the crew is wrapped (a skateboard) and we have the balloons ready to be blown up. I'm going to insist he wears knee and elbow pads as well as a helmet, even if he's laughed at by the other kids. In fact, I might suggest he wears them full time on land, whether on the skateboard or not. We need him and broken limbs don't work on boats. His cake will be made in the morning.
On a personal note I'm finding it hard to focus at the moment. My fab husband Terry and brill children Bailey and Megan are coming to Fremantle. I haven't seen them since September 1st. To say I'm eager to get there is an understatement. So much to catch up on, thinking about it makes me teary, so I won't.
Fast forward 12 hours and I'm more convinced than ever that we've used up our favours with Mother Nature, I woke to guess what, grey skies and pouring rain. Lets get to Fremantle!
I've just baked the oddest birthday cake for Josh, I think it tastes like soil. Sorry Josh.
Happy birthday Skipper, we are lucky to have you. And remember whatever happens. It Is What It Is, So It Is.
Chat to you all in Leg 4!!
