Today we cross the opposite side of the planet from Portsmouth. We are passing the International Date Line, and officially re-entering the Western Hemisphere to begin our journey back to Clipper Mecca (Gosport).
Yesterday, we had blue skies and sunshine, a blessing in the middle of the North Pacific. Time for the team to dry out, play music and recharge for the mixed bag of weather systems ahead of us. The warm weather gave us an opportunity to fix the wind instruments we lost them several days ago and have been operating using natural intuition to helm, aided by the trusty compass. This is a refined skill and the crew have taken it in their stride.
It feels great to have the numbers back, particularly as decision making is set to become more complex in the next few days. Normally people ask for phone numbers on the International Date Line, but for us, it's all about those apparent wind angles. The crew are firmly in a rhythm, days of ocean sailing puts you in a strange sort of trance, and our chaotic, loving and thrill-seeking bunch of a crew bimble about our daily tasks and challenges.
Today, we are hoping to host a game show on the VHF with Perseverance, where three crew members ask each other blind questions, and choose the best answer. As Perseverance sail further north, we are hopeful to still be in range, but it has been a giggle to plan and come up with sailing blind date questions. Top hits are comedic, and not for publishing, but think nauti clipper banter meets British game show ‘take me out’. Winners' prospects: a trip to the Isle of Fernandez (Wight).
Beyond that, racing is good, and the next few days will bring some changes to our lovely 11 knot VMG experience we have been having for a week now, but the team are ready for a bit of a pace change.
Love to all at home,
Laura, Dan and the team