Race 9 - Day 3
Crew Diary - Bobbing Along
12 March

It wouldn't have escaped the attention of the eagle eyed observer that Qingdao took an unplanned diversion within the last 24hrs and returned South to round a mark that we had seemingly missed. Well, time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted, or so we’re telling ourselves and as we now know this stretch of water even better than the rest of the fleet, we’re sure to catch them up!

As I sit here in the saloon typing, a Qingdao first has just happened – we’ve had to chase a lost migratory swallow back out that had flown down the companionway steps to join us for dinner! The food is of excellent quality as usual, so I don’t blame it for stopping by. Chris has now rescued the bird and is attempting to feed it up and send it on it’s way, however it is insisting on attempting to nest in the galley, possibly the only creature on earth that can stand the incessant heat there.

We’re now more or less halfway through Mark’s ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ of the South China Sea and the winds have well and truly died. Place your bets on whether the course will be shortened and, if so, by how much?

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to Amber from Lisa and all the crew!