Race 4 - Day 6
Skipper Report
08 December
I sit here and ask myself what has happened in the last 24 hours apart from an epic run under Code 3 (heavyweight kite) our smallest of kites and the most epic of knots in the sheets (line used to control the kite). Each crew member immediately saw it as their duty to have a go at prizing this knot apart in order to make us spinnaker ready again. In all seriousness it's just a bit of rope right!? I happened to be about 4th in the line of willing people who wanted personal success in tackling the knot of all knots. It turned out not even I 'The Captain' of this GREAT vessel could match the stubbornness of the knot.
An assortment of tools were laid out for any willing candidate including a
vice, mole grips, screw drivers, hammers and a marlin spike. As soon as I had
tried all of the tools and began to try and use my teeth I knew it was surely
time to give up. Jeremy yelled at me down the corridor 'Hope your Dad’s a
dentist!'. I replied 'I could do with a set of new pearly whites anyway.’
Ray resembled a cat with a ball of wool and was definitely not eager to let the
other cats play until he had exhausted absolutely every option. Jeremy was
willing to miss the start of his watch with flat head screw driver in hand to
take on this enormous challenge. Then out of nowhere came Tessa with hammer,
screw driver and vice in hand like a woman possessed. Finally Tessa and Jeremy
joined forces and finished the job, a true display of how team work makes the dream
work.
I have been presented with yet another piece of fantastic headgear today. A
very scary woollen mask all the way from Bolivia. Nicola, you have done me proud
and added to my already heavy 5 kgs of crazy hats and masks. Hannah Macleod is
scared for life and the rest of the crew just think i'm a little bit nuts.
There are very close to factual rumours that love is in the air here on the good
ship GREAT Britain. Hand holding in
dark corners of the boat has been witnessed. Now i'm not here to cast judgement
or name names but I will say the two-people involved are both young, free and
single. I have made it quite clear that if I see any canoodling on board there
will be direct transfers to Garmin
and Qingdao respectively where I know
two of my friends and fellow skippers, GT and Chris, who are no nonsense, will
sort the situation out immediately.
I am sat here stuffed to the brim after eating an obscene amount of brownies
with condensed milk cooked by Tessa’s Niece Lara in Fremantle, topped up with
an even fresher batch cooked by Phil 'THE' Gunn today in the Galley whilst wearing
my newest of head pieces resembling a spiderman mask I owned as a 6 year old.
Things just got weird.
Simon you would be proud!!! I took the Code 3 (heavyweight) down with no expert
advice as you always offered, and with no damage, at just the right time!! We
miss you every day!!!!
Let Peace be the Journey
Andy and The GREAT Britain Team