Race 5 - Day 12
Crew Diary - Race 5 - Day 12
03 January
Mother’s little helper!
Well here I am on day 13 of my Clipper Race adventure
We are currently heading up the east coast of Australia in light winds towards Airlie Beach, our final destination on this race, well placed hopefully for a decent finish .
The title of my blog refers not to the fact that I am in need of any form of hallucinogenic stimulation but to the fact that I am today on Mother watch with my delightful French bunk buddy Laurence, who is currently heading the operation of providing meals and drinks for the crew with great efficiency – with a little help from myself!
It seems a long time since I started this Clipper Race journey from signing up in Liverpool at the end of the 17-18 race to the completion of the training in Gosport last year.
I well remember week 1 training in which it appeared to me, as a non sailor, that there appeared to be a whole new language out there to be learnt – a concept to which I had some difficulty becoming accustomed to – and which was reflected in my Training Skippers first words in my assessment interview: ‘Well’ he said ‘You’re not the best sailor in the world …
A sentiment to which I couldn’t disagree !!!
Anyway, I’m here now and enjoying the experience although it’s probably fair to say that no amount of training could prepare you for ocean sailing on this scale.
It is hard physical work but the rewards are worth it. My nine to five job involved pushing nothing heavier than a computer mouse and now I find myself manoeuvering a fully laden 40ft vessel being powered by a sail with the size of a floorplan of a five bedroomed house.
Highlights so far include seeing more dolphins, which turn luminous at night, than people since we left Fremantle, kite surfing the Southern Ocean and the glorious night skies of the southern hemisphere.
My admiration goes out to our new Skip Rich who appears to be able to correct at drop of a hat every kite and sheet wrap we throw at him.
It’s taken 12 days but the fashion police have also been on my case recently with my sunglasses bearing the brunt of some cruel jokes so much so that Dan – our AQP – (and youngest on board) has promised to take me shopping in Airlie to redress the situation!
Anyway time for some shut eye now and I look forward to a speedy arrival to the Airlie stopover
Bye for now and a belated Happy New Year to you all
Nige x
PS Skip has just promised myself and Laurence a cold bucket of water to shower with tomorrow
Ooh la la!! Happy Days!