Race 6 - Day 18
Crew Diary - Daily dilemmas in life on board happy clipper Visit Sanya, China
08 February

Last night things changed here; it is as if we have begun Chapter 2 of Leg 5.

The wind picked up, along with the waves, and we have had a bumpy ride for the last 24 hours. (I’m told the waves are only mini ones at about three metres but to me they seem hooooge!).

The dilemma for the crew, apart from minor issues such as route, speed, sail plan and wind angles, is just what to wear on deck?

The air temperature has changed very little and the sea has cooled to a mere 28.5 degress. it also remains humid. Any physical work above or below deck results in sweating profusely and waves are regularly washing over the whole deck.

As I look up through the companionway, I can see the various decisions the current watch has made regarding their kit. One has quick dry shorts and vest, some have shorts and rain jackets, one has foul weather salopettes and t-shirt and another foulie trousers and rain jacket. Bruce decided this morning to wear his kit inside out ‘deliberately’. Some have sunnies, some opted out.

On my watch today at midday, I decided it was quicker to dry my skin than clothing so opted for the vest/shorts combo and actually relished the feeling of warm waves washing down my back and out through the shorts’ legs, bit weird but quite fun, especially when a large wave caught me mid-way through chucking a slop bucket over the low side! (Now the wet kit is swinging dry on the massive pile of crew luggage above my bunk). Others reported being so hot inside their foulies that they were pretty sweaty but were happy to hang them up and sponge the body. Only one person so far has opted for boots; all the others are currently sticking with various versions of crocs and plastic booties.

I’m very happy not to have seen a mirror for three weeks. I rather pity the rest of the crew having to face me each day, the odd person even seems to shudder slightly when I rise each day from my coffin bunk!