Leg 5; race 8: day 11 The storm Woken at 5.30am was fast asleep. Had bacon sandwiches for breakfast yummy. On deck for 6am cold again so Wooly hat on. A fishing boat came up really close to us and put his speaker on to say "high winds were coming " this was said in Chinese but Sean Chinese crew could translate for us. We were aware that some high winds are coming and are prepared for them. We currently have Yankee 1 and staysail on but have Yankee 3 ready to go...

Leg 5 : race 7 : day 10 On shift at 6am porridge for breakfast. Couldn't believe the drop in temperature had thermals mid layer and foulies on. Not a lot of wind so spent some time making sail ties. Had lunch then went on 8 hours off. Had a sleep straight away as I was so tired then work up watched a film in bed then dozed til 5. Up on deck around 5.45 had dinner on deck and it was dark. Shift went quickly as busy looking out for boats. When we went on deck th...

Leg 5: race 8: day 9: Mother's Day Woken at 5.30 pancakes for breakfast then on deck at 6am. There was a Mother's Day banner up in the galley, that sophie had made. Sea was flat calm only 6 knots wind had the spinnaker was up (code 1) Really warm so just had T shirt and shorts on,as the morning went on the wind dropped even more so we dropped the spinnaker and put the wind seeker up. I had made 3 cakes for the mothers so we gave them out and Kevin and Richard...

Leg 5 race 8 day 8 Up at 5.30 on watch for 6am had porridge on deck. Making good speed sea is calm and sun is out. Got the spinnaker on deck ready to hoist if needed. Shift went quickly then at 10am (end of shift) Richard the media guy wanted to interview me for the tv programme it went really well and he said how well interviewed and that I spoke from the heart! Came off watch and had a lovely chat and drink with sophie on her bunk (like a loose women intervie...

Leg 5 race 8 day 7 Was woken at 4am by Matt shouting to the on watch to move the main sheet! They had come off the wind and done a 360 turn. When I woke I was all disoriented wasn't sure if I was dreaming or where I was! It was horrible. Thought we had crashed !! Think it was playing on my mind as skipper Bob had told me a story the night before about a family being killed at sea by another boat. Not what I need to hear! Sophie was awake and bless her came to th...