Leg 5: race 8 day 5
Was woken at 5.30 but hadn't been able to sleep much as we had tacked and I was struggling to stay in my bunk
On deck at 6 and it was all go! Couldn't believe when I went to my bunk 4 hours earlier we had no wind and had put the wind seeker up. We now had 30 knots of wind so had 2 reefs in. When I got on deck we tacked then took down the Yankee. Full on hard work with the boat heeled over lots of waves. We secured the Yankee on deck and kept going with the main (2 reefs) and staysail for the rest of our shift.as the wind stayed between 30-40knots.
Lindsey and Sean made us a pot of fresh coffee. They passed the first two out and Matt managed to carefully carry them to sophie and Carl but just as he got there a big wave came lifted him off his feet and spilt the coffee. Crazy ! But we laughed
Sat and ate lunch on deck.carl said can't believe here we are in 42knots of wind the boat heeled over eating our lunch all in a day's work !! (Pasta and tuna)
Had Race updates we are joint 5th with lmax although the boats in 1st and 2nd will need to put extra tacks in so possibly not in a good place which would put us up in top 3!!!
Whilst on deck I noticed the flying fish couldn't believe this was the first time I had noticed them! Fly so high out the water.
Came off shift at 10am (we serve lunch 9.30) had just finished getting out of foulies and Sarah came off deck in tears. She was aching all over and in pain. Sophie and I helped to undress her and put her in her bunk( she is 70 and going round the world ) she is so thin and fragile.
Found a bunk I could use for my 8 hours off watch ( Kevin's ) so jumped in and had a rest.Noticed the wind had died down so heard them taking a reef out.
Laid in bunk listening to music was so hot!
Crazy that a day ago I was being sick and felt fed up with being thrown around and now I am loving it. Such an experience full of high and lows.
It's Jodie's birthday today my oldest daughter she is 26. Such a pity I can't wish her happy birthday but no phone service. I gave her a card before I left and bought her tickets for Mariah Carey concert in London.
Laying in my bunk remembering Jodie being born :if someone had told me then that 26 years later I would be sailing half way round the world I would not have believed it!! Will celebrate Jodie's birthday with a nice meal when we get back xxx love her so much and all my other children of course. Missing them write this with a tear in my eye. So proud of them all. Such gorgeous children xxxx
On shift at 6 til 10 making good progress and we are now third in the fleet. Have full main and Yankee 3 up. During my standby made bread. Was on my feet for whole 4 hours as no where dry to sit down! Was glad of my bed at 2am
Miles covered 199 : speed 7.2-10.4
wind 18-33