Week 2

Happy Easter! You will be pleased to know that Easter traditions have been keenly observed on the good ship GREAT Britain with chocolate Easter bunnies and a well recived batch of freshly cooked hot cross buns from the mothers. (and yes Fr Mark, a few prayers from me too) Bunnies are not allowed to be mentioned on boatd as it is bad luck for sailors, so we chomped them pretty quickly.

I'm mother today so it's pesto pasta for lunch, curry for tea followed by m&m cake with banana Angel Delight. Fresh bread is being made as I speak by my mother partner for today, Mike. With all this food I have still lost weight, become much fitter and stronger and feel slimmer. It's all about portion control, we eat everything out of small breakfast bowls, something I may continue at home! Oh yeah, and there is the constant battle to stay on your feet - good for the core muscles!

The weather is still warm and fine which is not what I expected from the Pacific! Long may it continue although we do need some wind to get us to Seattle. Derry passed behind us earlier within a few boat lenghts and a massive whale came along side for a short while. All these things punctuate our days and break it up. Ocean racing can be extremely boring with hours sat on the rail so mini events and cups of tea help move the watches along, along with sail changes and a keen eye on keeping the sails trimmed correctly. It's all these small things that have now moved is up to 4th. Chasing hard every day. Dare I say it but I'm actually enjoying being here Not being sea sick for a change had made a huge difference, but generally I am so glad I stayed. The highs and lows have truly made this the race of my life.

It is cold at night so back to the layers to keep warm.

Thermal trousers and top

T shirt

2 warm jackets

Waterproof mid layer trousers

Foulie top and trousers or dry suit

2 pairs of socks (1 waterproof)

Hat

2 pairs of gloves

So you can see why getting dressed and undressed is exhausting, I am so looking to having no clothes on again!! Sleeping is down to non salty layers and the occasional change of underwear.

★★★★Just seen a large pod of dolphins. Happy days. I though the Japanese may had eaten them all! So that adds to the tally of one large whale and a sun fish today.

Day 11 - The Pacific came and bit us last night going from sleepy blue ocean to raging ware wolf in 10 minutes flat. We went from full main sail to 2 reefs and the storm jib pretty quickly plus experienced a broach (where the boat heels right over on it's side because we are over powered with sail for the conditions) Today we are back to easier sailing and I must say I'm enjoying it all - the rough and the smooth. It's always darkest before the dawn they say and maybe I needed leg 5 to give me the lows so I can appreciate how awesome this is. This ocean and this experience are just mind blowing. I wish you could see the waves here, the moon, the stars, the view when having a cup of tea on deck, just beautiful.