Hello! I’m lying in my bunk waiting to hear ‘table mountain ahoy!’ from the on watch. We’re so very close to Cape Town after two weeks facing the elements of the south Atlantic. I know that because my phone has just gone wild. So much to catch up on, so many stories to share and so much salt to wash off.

xx

There is a real electricity on the boat this morning.  After navigating our way
through a painfully slow night of high pressure, the sun is shining and guess
what we can see on the horizon… ?

Yesterday’s words from Greg were that we will never been in contention for 1st or
2nd  given GB and Garmin’s lead (ex LMAX) and that our fight was with Derry for
third.  It’s all change!!

Garmin are currently a speck on the horizon 8.9 miles ahead of us (down from the
50+ yesterday). We seem to consistently be doing 1 knot faster than them.  The
crew are hungry now as we have 350 miles to reel them in.  Our best helmsmen are
on the wheel, we’re rotating the grinders to keep them fresh and the trimmers are
keeping the spinnaker twitchy.

With the unpredictability of Table Bay ahead we need to make our move
now…remember our code 1 (light winds) is in tatters.

Fingers and toes crossed.

xx

Just seen the most magical sight.  Phosphorescence glowing in the wake of dolphins playing alongside the boat!

Now for Cape Town!

Just a quick one. The last couple of watches have yielded a few milestones and
other less exciting points:
– We have crossed the Greenwich Meridian
– Finished the ocean sprint
– I have voiced further, fairly colourful concerns, relating to Odeon
– Seen many shooting stars on one of the few crisp clear nights we have had
– Have scooped endless sightseeing squid off the deck
– Another filed kite drop acccompanied by equiment failure and destruction.

Sea state calm, wind light and dropping, finish line 790 miles. Its down hill
now.

Fingers and hands resemble a carpenters.

Expected arrival Cape Town early 22nd Oct.

James, please can we book the warehouse from 22nd? I don’t know how long for
though…

Pls can you earmark a hair/beauty salon that us woman can frequent?

Love to all. xx

And then there was calm.

Yesterday I was back on mother duty. Apparently it is a day you look
forward to with a full night’s sleep as a reward. bullsh*t. We’re running
low on key ingredients so cooking for 22 in a cupboard is even more
stressful than it might otherwise be.

And then there was the ‘sleep’. It was the start of the ocean sprint.
After washing up, baking 3 loaves of bread for breakfast and soaking the
porridge oats I took to the ‘coffin’ bunk that has been reserved for
mothers. As the name suggests its somewhat cosier that the other (hardly
spacious) bunks.

And then it started. Commotion on deck and the pounding of the grinders as
the code 3 wrapped (again). Then the yankee. Then the leak above my bunk.
Then someone shouting that the boat was listing. Then the spinnaker
wooling by my bed. Then the floorboads up (at this point I’m convinced
we’re sinking in my sleepy haze). Then I started to go through the drills.
I’m number 12, that means I’m responsible for loading the life rafts with
the first aid kits. I’ve had less sleep than any other night. The sailing
is a breeze in comparison to the sleep.

But there was one moment of amazingness. A day 10 hair wash. It took the
form of a bucket of saltwater at the back of the boat. All others dressed
in drysuits to combat the chill of 36degs south and to fend off the spray
from the 30ft swell. Not me. Sports bra, woolly pants, salopettes and a
lifejacket. Determined to momentarily smell of coconut. Brilliant. I was
not the one that ended up with hypothermic symptoms.

And so to day 11, an abandoned ocean sprint and one day closer to seeing
that stunning place. A high pressure system some 350 miles out from CT
could make for a slow and painful finish. Remember our code 1 is in
shreds.

Missing hand cream.

xx

i’m taking a short break from night watch to warm up…its currently 2:30
ish on boat time.

we’re moving like a rocket through some pretty wild conditions. Just seen
44+kt apparent winds on a broad reach doing 28.5 kts through the water.
waves crashing over us etc etc. Its all the stuff that you would associate
with ocean sailing and films. I’m now into some serious layers of clothing
with thermals, mid layer (walking duvet) and foulies. IT’S COLD!

I haven’t heard any update on position for a few hours but understand we’re
making good gains on GB. Our strategy is fairly risky. We gybed earlier
to go south with a bit of east in it. Our helmsman are trying to hold a
course of c.140 which is tough in these conditions. Intention is to get a
good entry into the sprint with optimal wind. Our undrstanding is that
Qingdao and Lmax are in light airs which is helpful for the rest of the
fleet.

I can’t emphasise enough how much I smell, more specifically, my hair
smells. Last washed the morning I left rio and we’ve seen some pretty
sweaty/salt times since then. The first shower will be a very long and
bubbly one.

Just heard a yelp from above….a particularly big wave I think with the
boom dragging in the water.

The stars are interlaced with rain clouds. The southern cross is shining
brightly but to look at it you put your face in the path of oncoming wave
traffic. She who dares wins.

Bit diappointed with the wildlife tally. Since the last update it has only
increased by one seal, a few squid and some black coloured birds. Squid
seem to get magnetically drawn to our deck. Pretty unlucky for them to have
stumbled across a boat out here.

Early days to take a wild stab at arrivals but early hours of the 21st
October have been muted. Alot can change between now and then and boats
have been known to get stuck in Table Bay for 24hrs. My accommodation
doesn’t start until 23rd.

Lovely to hear that Emily is putting on weight. I can’t wait to meet her.
Call me a traditionalist but next time I might catch a flight!

Mum, glad the internship is going well. Pleased to hear that the house is coming
along. Its so far from my current reality that its unbelievably hard to
imagine.

James, I can’t thank you enough for all your help. I should hear in the
next couple of days about when we’d like the warehouse space and how long
for.

Love to all x

I’m cocooned in my bunk being lulled to sleep
Hypnotised by big waves and gassed by mature feet.
Someone new is on the helm as Missi heels more
Bellowing cries of ‘bear away!’ or ‘turn to port!’
Life on the high seas is a bit of a spoiler
Pumping the heads and servicing the boiler.
Of course there isn’t one of those aboard,
Climate control a luxury we can’t afford
‘doughnuts’ used to be delicious, for some, ‘whipping’ kinky
No going down below to get into something slinky
Revealing baggy, woolen pants is not the same!
Rule 4 unnecessary as no one can feel game.
We are eating like queens, pear crumble a winner,
Most of the crew are significantly thinner?
The other gem is porridge and spooned nutella
Just lacking a bottle of red from the bilge cellar
Morale is high, we’re at the sharp end of the fleet
Grappling for third and trying to be hard to beat
At times it’s not been particularly easy
Some minor injuries and a dose of queasy
sails taking on the elements and losing the fight
Sadly Cynthia, our sewing machine can’t fix one kite
We are halfway there (nearly) and are in good shape
Looking forward to a warm jet wash at the Cape!
The wind is building and is pushing us along
Fingers crossed for the podium where we belong.
Before I go a few messages to relay
Grandad I hope to do you proud every day
Mike sends his congratulations for the baby news
Vin passes Darren several smackeroos
A big hello to Inna’s family and friends
So many more but this poem has to end
It just leaves me to say thanks for your support
We look forward to catching up with you all in port.
And that’s (another) wrap. Cynthia!

My watch are asleep and I will be following shortly. Hoping to grab a couple of hours
before our next watch. It has been one of those days. We have had one kite wrap and
one block at the top of the mast blow today. Hard graft trying to do damage limitation
and repair on the go.

For James – [In answer to your question, the Code 1 (that needs repair) is
the size of a tennis court. Any space with a power socket is helpful, the bigger the
better. Even a garden with no prickly things could work if we need it.]

Glad I’m not the one that has to go up the mast! We have probably had 25 kt winds today and atop speed of 23.5kts surfing down the waves but Greg has asked that we check the supplies in the storm bags as we potentially have a few interesting days ahead. 40 plus knots I think. He’s not concerned as it will be behind us and will blow us a long albeit there
will be a big swell. James, big ‘surf is definitely coming your way. We about 400
miles west of Tristian de Couna and after that we’ll have the count down to the start of
the sprint gate and then on to capetown. IF we arrive before 23rd when my apartment is
free, please can I stay with you? The temperature has really dropped in the last couple
of days but I guess that’s because we’re on the edge of the Southern Ocean. No
albatross’ yet just one false sighting.

It took me 40 mins to comb my hair yesterday and my skin is spotty and disgusting.
Bring on a facial in capetown! Tomorrow is new clothes day which has become very
exciting. Thanks for ordering the ice breaker clothes mum. I’ll be fighting you for
Emily’s nappy rash cream. Yes, the damp conditions just keep on giving. Odeon is still
a bother (I think that’s mutual) but everyone else is really nice. I have written the
crew blog today so look out. Having a little chuckle as Sally is on mother tomorrow
with Andy. Sally tore her shoulder in the first few days and Andy gashed his thumb at
the same time (a story for another day). How they are going to do the galley dance I
don’t know.

Love to everyone and time for bed.

Today I saw our first albatross! Weather remains fairly benign with bigger stuff on its
way in 36-48 hours. Probably bigger than the weather we started with which is currently
hard to imagine.  Further, we’ll be flying our kite (code 3) through it rather than
white sails which will mean select helms only and lightening quick reflexes.

Disappointingly overnight GB made big gains on us but morale remains very high and
everyone seems to be getting on with everyone else…..

Today  is the first day where I’ve not used all my off time for sleep. I’m going to try
to brush my hair.  I have allowed 90 mins for this and I’m dredding it(see what I did
there!).  Speaking of Emily, aromas are developing nicely!  Eating like kings and
queens – Chilli Con Carne last night, porridge and nutella for breakie, homemade bread
rolls and coleslaw for lunch.

x

Champagne sailing today. Have seen whales and dolphins. Code 2 is up.
Clothes are finally dry again. Weather is tranquil. Greg got the scoring
gate location wrong so we’re now heading right for Capetown and understand
we are well placed for that as the most easterly boat. just finished tuna
pasta bake.

Mum, pls could you bring Ice breaker merino boy shorts x2 (knickers. if
not in the pile you may need to buy with my a/c) and 1x icebreaker medium
base layer bottoms and top. Again, my spares may be in storage so pls can
you buy?

Otherwise all is good at sea. beeen helming, tinkering on bow and smiling.

xxxx