Race 10 - Day 4
Crew Diary - Race 10 Day 4
04 April
Sail-ebrating simplicity onboard Our Isles and Oceans
We’ve been at sea for 7 days now. On 1st April whilst helming and chatting to Pash it occurred to me how relaxed I’ve been feeling whilst on Leg 6, Race 10.
Life on board rotates on the watch system. It becomes a very simple life of being on deck changing sails, helming or trimming, then slipping into your bunk for a sleep and finally being on standby, cooking and cleaning whilst also supplying hot drinks and night time noodles up to the deck.
The past seven days have been filled with many wind holes and very slow-paced sailing; some call it ‘Champagne sailing’ – not what I expected when signing up for the North Pacific Ocean crossing. But I’m very grateful for this as it meant I didn’t experience another bout of seasickness like I did on Race 9. We’ve had very pleasant warm sunny weather, I’ve even had to dig out my shorts and t-shirts from my shore bag. It’s only rained once since we left Qingdao. I’ve been wearing crocs-no socks even at night! It looks like tomorrow things will change and we’ll enter the more intense weather patterns and associated rain.
The stresses of modern day life feel very far removed from Our Isles and Oceans. The pressures of work, (a Geology PhD thesis for me), emails, paying bills, food shopping, to-do lists, and the general noise that comes from everyday life have disappeared. It’s been very refreshing and feels much more human and genuine to be forming such close bonds with people without the distraction of the internet, phones and social media -a rarity in the modern day. To quote Pash “you don’t have the social pressure of having to like everyone else’s Facebook posts.”
Whilst at sea we are constantly living in the moment. Reading nature around us, watching the calm sea for the wind ripples as they slowly approach the boat. Continuously trimming the sails or changing them as we race against the rest of the fleet. On standby a few days ago, I found myself alone in the galley. I think this was the first time I’d been alone (apart from when in my bunk). I’ve become so used to living in such a small space on top of people that when you are alone you really start to feel the space surrounding you is almost too big.
On Rum watch we have been lucky to watch many magnificent sunrises and sunsets. Last night was one of my favourite watches on deck so far. Pash and I watched the sunset from the stern as two swallows flew around the boat. It then turned into a magnificent starry night and I was the perfect temperature whilst helming – something that is a rarity in these very warm days and cooler nights as it can be difficult to get the layering system correct. Andy spotted the Starlink which looked like 12 bright stars in a straight line rapidly moving across the sky. Katie and I had a good belly laugh whilst helming and check-helming.
I feel the simplicity of life on board could become addictive. Free from modern life stresses it becomes refreshing and calming. We don’t know what the bad news circulating around the world is. The only bad news we hear is if we’ve dropped a place in the fleet or blown a code (spinnaker).
On Easter Sunday we had the biggest non-sailing related stress we’ve had on the race so far; a bar of Cadbury’s chocolate went missing meaning Skye watch didn’t get any chocolate. This created mass disturbance amongst the crew. Accusations were being thrown all around, even at me, even though I already have a personal 1kg chocolate stash on board with me all the way from Scotland. As of yet no one has come forward. A public warning has been made to protect personal chocolate stashes. (It must be noted that there is also a small chance only two chocolate bars were provided in the food day bag and in fact three bars was all a conspiracy).
I find it ironic that in a sailing race I feel so calm and relaxed. Sailing has become a healthy escapism. I wish I could share some of the spectacular moments I’ve had on board with my nearest and dearest as I’m not sure my descriptions or photographs can ever do them justice.
Even whilst typing this blog I was called up onto deck to see two pilot whales off the starboard bow. Absolutely incredible. All moments I will cherish forever.
Beth
Leg 6 OIAO Ambassador