Leg 5 - race 7 - day 7
Found out when I woke up today that some days we are reaching temperatures of 45 degrees ! No wonder we are so hot! Coffee cereal for breakfast at 9 then 11 had my lunch of pasta tuna pesto Olives and dried tomato. Up on deck at 11. Still hot and sunny and not a lot of wind. But as we came closer to land the more the wind picked up and we started to pick up speed which also meant heeling over about 30 degrees.
Two hours into our watch lmax called on the radio to say they had a speed boat with 5 men following them and asked us to stand by. Then then called back to say they were safe they had gone. We have to be aware of pirates although they say the risk is low it's still a worry ! Then about an hour later the same boat came speeding up to us. We got our men crew to go on deck. But the boat came along side waved and went off. It's not often they get racing boats come along this way. However still deep down you worry but it would be hard for them to get on the boat. In any danger we would tack out to sea put the engine on. As we got closer to Bougainville island we noticed fires being lift simultaneously along the coast. Bit odd as they were probably watching us. Although it was picturesque and an opportunity that will never see again I was glad to sail away further away from land due to the risk of pirates!
Came off shift at 3 to cook dinner beef curry. Temperature dropped slightly and started raining.
Had a look in the nav station and we are with 23 miles of first boat and close to 3 others. It's good tracking them all. As the evening went on the winds got stronger I went to lay down at 8 and felt the boat really heeled over felt a bit worried but sophie round the world crew reassured me then it made me think these guys have been half way round the world they know what they are doing x
Mind you I gave my little fluff ball that my friend Rosie gave me to stroke she told me to do this if I got scared ( I write this with a little smile ) x
I also held onto my St Christopher - a present from Carl for my birthday and my mum had had it blessed by the priest. Fell asleep for an hour or so then was waken for my shift at 10.30pm
When I went up on deck put my foulie bottoms on and waterproof jacket as pouring with rain. In fact torrential rain ! We were still heeled over and making a good speed about 7 knots although it felt faster in the dark.
I have to say that I enjoy the night shifts I imagined they would be really dark but the sky is brighten by the moon and there's a certain feeling of calmness sailing along at night. I am looking forward to my shift Changes in 3 days time when I will be on shift at 3-7am so I will see sunrise.
Finished shift at 3 and headed straight to bed. Slept really well being rocked around by the sea.
Miles covered 118.4 speed 0-8.7