Race 12 - Day 7
Crew Diary - Race 12 Day 7: New York to Derry-Londonderry
03 July

Aaah, it's good to be back on the high seas on the Big Blue Boat! Oh how I've missed that distinctive smell of damp foulies, the Spiderman-esque life down below, and the daily chore of cleaning dubiously shaped hairs off the heads floor...!

In all seriousness, it has felt like a natural return to the race for me since completing Leg 4 and I am grateful for the opportunity to do so. The core team of 'worlders' have developed their sailing a teaching skills brilliantly and I enjoyed the refresher training we undertook last Monday and Tuesday prior to Race Start. This, combined with some fellow returning and virgin 'leggers' who have brought a bucket load of enthusiasm and some great sailing experience has meant that we feel confident that we can do our supporters proud by making the most of playing our joker on this race. Easy to say that, I know, as we're sat in first place (just) and it's been relatively plain sailing so far – being on the same tack for a week has meant our bodies have morphed into the respective triangle shape depending on if your bunk is on the high or the low side.

So, what have been my most memorable moments so far?

Unfortunately, the first four that spring to mind are the separate sightings of balloons floating on the ocean's surface in the first couple of days after leaving NYC. Stop it, people! Stop it! The amount of plastic that people unavoidably or inadvertently use in their everyday lives is insane, and during the few days I spent in NYC I really struggled to continue some of the more responsible habits I've been trying to develo over the last few months. We must be better humans to our world.

The sunset on the night prior to race start was one of the most incredible ones I've ever seen. Deep reds, pinks and oranges covering the sky on a balmy evening with dozens of dolphins somersaulting on the horzin. Instead of reaching for my phone as usual, I decided to just enjoy the moment first hand, once only. Like many moments on this race, that snapshot in my mind will stay with me 'til my last day. You just don't see such things on dry land.

Sailing in the fog yesterday (Sunday) morning was eerily stunning. We knew Garmin was about 500nm away from us for about an hour but out visibility was only about 200nm. Then a vague, slightly-darker-than-fog grey triangle appeared on our starboard side...and we were going faster than them! Very cool.

Eeek! There was another half of this blog talking about my ongoing lost and found saga but I'll leave that for a nother day – due on deck for our sunset watch soon!

Much love (so much) to all the special people in my world. Thinking of you all the time.

Nic

Xx