Race 7 - Day 14
Crew Diary - Race 7 Day 14
12 February
Dehydration on DC
Personal boundaries are broken down almost the moment we step on to this boat; but since becoming very unwell over the last few days, I feel I’ve reached new lows in this respect. Staggering into the galley in my bra, pants and crocs, and vomiting in front of countless other crew members eating their dinner, while I make my way to the heads to harvest urine samples for our wonderful AQP Ella, to test for the on-shore medic. Team discussions in the galley are about an appropriate receptacle for me to wee into! Requesting tiny bowls of plain rice to eat from whichever hero is on cookie duty, then instantly throwing it back up again…
And yet, while many of you will be mortified just reading this, at no point during this episode have I actually felt embarrassed at all. This is testament to every person on this boat. In this blog, I wanted to give a little shout out to my fellow crew members for their support, patience and unwavering kindness.
First and foremost – to Hannah and Ella – the dream girl power Skipper and AQP team – not only for having to be expert sailors, but also medics, nurses, engineers, electricians, mediators, therapists…! You name it, you’ve got it covered. You’re both incredible. (And must have stomachs of steel).
Bob – our round the worlder engineer, who seemingly loves emptying the bilges and who would, I’ve no doubt, sleep in the engine room if given the chance! Always ready with a joke; always putting the kettle on (even in 40 degrees); and whose 70th birthday we all celebrated with much cheer a few days ago. (Worth noting that Bob also does an excellent impersonation of King Neptune).
Florian – our resident Harvard neuroscience professor, who never stops smiling (even when cleaning the heads). Thank you for being the (unofficial) onboard pharmacist, and for providing on-demand lectures, including but not limited to the following topics: lobotomies, monogamy, astronomy, free will. I expect that, by the end of this trip, we’ll each have completed at least 30 credits in one of Florian’s courses.
Vasi – for cooking up delicious concoctions in the galley (“Jersey Bobbins” being my particular fave), and for being so kind. (I miss potatoes!).
Chelsea – the youngest member of our crew. Always grateful for your knowledge of marine life, your endless supply of snacks, and for possessing everything anyone could possibly need on this boat!
Aussie Al – for the incessant innuendos and silliness, and for producing a new item from your costume bag every few days. The highlight so far being your appearance in Events DC branded budgie smugglers, with ‘Delve Deeper’ printed on your arse. Complete with poncho – it’s a strong look.
Neil – our military man, for keeping us all healthy and positive, and for your daily uplifting quote of the day at our lunch time meetings.
Bill – for imparting your expertise on the helm, and for stepping in to do the washing up for me when I couldn’t handle a moment longer in the galley.
To my poor bunk buddy Dave – currently off watch while I write this, and who has had to migrate to the spare coffin bunk while I convalesce. The real insult being that he’s now ended up on the high side of the boat. I’m sorry. I owe you an endless supply of beer in Vietnam!
Lovely Liz – for being there to give me a hug when times are low, and for slaving away in the 30 degree plus galley to make me a delicious birthday cake. (And for making surprise random brownies!)
Harry – for keeping us motivated on the Spirit Watch, for doing a great job at being ‘media mogul’, and for always being complimentary about food...even if it is pink risotto.
Jono and Olly – thanks for being expert watch leaders, and for ensuring the helming order is always fair and clear! (I’ve never actually been sure who is the Wizard Watch leader, but you both make the cut in my eyes!).
Ronen – for making me laugh every day (even if unintentionally!).
Bartek – my Level 1 Training pal, for always remaining calm and for your quick-witted sense of humour. Not to mention your adornment of a bow tie while on cookie duty!
Last but certainly not least, my Clipper bestie, round the worlder Izzy. She might be a Wizard, but she’s in the bunk above me and I honestly don’t know where I’d be without her! Introducing me to the wonder of the deck shower, giving me general boat life survival tips, the long chit chats, making sure I’ve felt as un-gross as possible while I’ve been unwell, for tying up my hair and making me laugh mid vomiting session… the list goes on!
I’m in awe of you all, and can’t think of a bunch of stronger, more resilient, determined or kinder people I’d rather be dangerously dehydrated alongside!
*Footnote – I first started drafting this as I lay holed up in my bunk, having been out of the watch system for 48+ hours, feeling pretty poorly. I’ve been seasick almost every day since I stepped onto this boat, but a few days ago my body finally gave up and started rejecting anything and everything I tried to give it. Our wonderful AQP Ella has been heroically testing and measuring, taking my vitals and ensuring I’m getting my meds at the allotted hours. Thanks to all her hard work, it’s now been over 24 hours since I last threw up (a record!), though the task now is to continue getting as much liquid in me as possible. Sipping liquid might sound like an easy task, but right now it feels like a serious ordeal – not helped by the fact that the boat water tastes like dust. But I’m in safe hands, and know that slowly, slowly we’ll get there – even if these Trade Winds haven’t turned out to be quite what we were promised!
Toesie (Josephine)