Race 6 - Day 7
Crew Diary - Race 6 Day 7: Hobart to Whitsundays
12 January

Mike Sweet Circumnavigator (except Freo/Sydney)

Hi folks,

What a 24 hrs this has been, we have been playing cat and mouse with Sanya Serenity Coast, Visit Seattle and Liverpool 2018, gaining on one watch then losing on the other, it's been fun close racing having other targets to try and beat in similar conditions, what conditions we have had? Breeze then no breeze, fighting against a current then the current helping us along, all of it a challenge to our helming and trimming skills. It's champagne sailing weather here at the moment great on deck shooting the breeze while Rory's play list booms out. It's not so good down below mind as i'ts pretty hot and stuffy some guys are sleeping in the sail locker which is the coolest area down below, chef is in the galley preparing lunch, soup is on the menu and it looks like the main ingredient is onion, in all my life I have never eaten so many onions as I have on this boat, no complaints though except it does give everybody excessive wind.

It's a pretty good mood on the boat everyone is happy that the boat is stable and not heeling to much, it makes life on board so much easier. I was helming earlier and looking down the boat my thoughts went to crew change over. Our watch will change completely four changes in crew, the other watch has three changes, it will be sad to see the guys leave as we have had a good few laughs as we do on most of the legs. Big Al is leaving us after being on the boat since departing Gosport, a massive loss to us circumnavigators, big fun is leaving the boat - who will fill his massive boots? I've made a few friends along the way and I am looking forward to meeting the new leggers and forming new friendships on the race home.

It's my friend Disco Steve's birthday, happy Birthday Steve! Enjoy singing Maggie May to all my other family and friends, my injuries are a thing of the past now, not a hint of pain. It's just the rest of my body that aches now. Best wishes to all especially Kathy who I miss very much.

Yeeha!!!