Well, apparently, we're sprinting ... but it doesn't feel very sprinty as we run up the NSW coast in light headwinds. Nasdaq began its Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint overnight, and so far, it has taken both watches a lot of hard work to keep us moving at all - several sail changes, repacking the Code 1 (lightweight spinnaker) time after time, and a big emphasis on careful helming and trimming.
After losing and then re-finding our friends on GREAT Britain, we had a quick photoshoot with them yesterday afternoon when we crossed tracks only 100m or so apart. Andy: we'll have to exchange photos over a cold one in Airlie - hope we looked as good as you did.
As if the temperature wasn't high enough already, lunch in the Nasdaq Bistro today was a (very) spicy Thai chicken and coconut soup with noodles, courtesy of the two Petes: Dark and Speight. Comedy moment at breakfast was provided by Kiwi Tomo Boys, who asked if there was enough "iggy brid" (that's French toast to some of you) for two slices each. The reply was yes, so long as they were cut in half first!
The heat on deck is getting fierce now as we get further north, and we're back into the realm of saltwater showers on deck. Nasdaq Bosun Andy Greenough was (as expected) first up to test the water in the aft deck spa, which Tom Wood's local knowledge disingenuously told us probably didn't contain many jellyfish yet ... although there had been reports. Andy's from Wigan, so he's not scared of the little slimy things, no matter how deadly their poison.
Cheers, Rob.