Race 3 - Day 8
Crew Diary - Race 3 Day 8
30 October

How will I cope...the answer is Peace

Having left home on 29 August 2023 reality is finally setting in that I will not be back until 27 July 2024... assuming I don’t quit!?!

I have left behind a beautiful wife, three great kids (adults) and their partners, mum, dad, brother and sister and their families, lots of interesting friends, not to mention three dogs plus loads of money in the bank and a couple of successful businesses.

I am writing this with tears in my eyes, laying in my bunk heeled over at 40 degrees in the South Atlantic, a millionaire on land who has to Google to ask things I don’t understand. But that doesn’t count when cooped up on a boat with 20 others who all have separate agendas and varying sailing abilities (I find at times I have no sailing ability).

I still don’t know what I’m doing here. Was it that I just needed a change, a challenge, perhaps another midlife crisis? Or did I really just need my head examined? Anyway, I’m here now and that old saying, “Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever” keeps running round in my head.

On the last day in Punta del Este, I went to mass. It was a special mass to bless all the sailors; only three turned up but it was a great service. Mass was in Spanish, but at the end we were asked to come forward for a blessing. The priest was very encouraging and asked us to pray for Peace in time of doubt and told us to remember that God was with us all the way! We then had a very special blessing and warm congratulations/applause from the congregation; we spoke with many after the service, and they really did care for us.

Each day since I have prayed for Peace. Peace in my family, peace for my local community back home, peace for the world, especially in war torn countries. Praying just a few minutes each day but it has been very powerful. I am now even praying for peace on the boat.

Perhaps this sums it up?

Depressed – living in the past

Anxious – living in the future

At peace – living in the present

Missing everyone back home so much x

The Guv