Leg 8 - Race 12 day 1 - Monday Up at 6.30 had stayed at Sophie's for the night and Olivier made us fresh coffee eggs and bacon, couldn't eat it all felt nervous butterflies in my tummy. Headed down to the boat can't believe we are leaving today. Seemed to take forever to get going but eventually slipped lines at 10am. Did a parade of sail up the Hudson River and had photos taken of the boats going past the Statue of Liberty Carl and I are on tigers watch with ...

Up at 8am cooked an omelette and toast packed bags and left the apartment to go to the boat Final preparation before leaving tomorrow Had a meeting in the afternoon for all crew spoke about the route weather also included a route to avoid ice bergs ! We won't be taking the same route as the titanic. ! Went out for dinner with sophie and oiliver and stayed at Sophie's

Got up at 9 packed bag ready for the boat. All into water proof bags. Made egg and bacon then went down to the boat for 12.30 Had an afternoon sail around New York really lovely day and good to be back on the boat. Got into port at 6pm Went and met Matt for drinks then dinner with Sean Wendi posh and Tino got back around 11

Up at 9.30 made eggs and bacon for breakfast then went down to the boat for open day. Busy in the morning then was quiet. Finished at 5.30 then went to a drinks reception for leavers of leg 7 and joiners of leg 8 caught up with a few we haven't seen. Saw Denis from Moscow good chatting. Went straight out for a meal with Carl sophie oiliver Joe and Dan Back to house around 11

Got up late got the ferry over to Manhattan with sophie and Carl and had a wander round. Had brunch at 12 omelette with a wine then went shopping. Saw the freedom tower Came back to the house showered and chilled for a couple of hours then went out and met Joe with Daniel Matt and his girlfriend for drinks and pizza. It was joes birthday. Back to house around 11