Nearly There!

Jamaica racing through the Yellow Sea

Sent: Saturday 20th February 2010

Position: 034degs 36' 14N  121degs 59' 07E

Boat time: 06:30hrs

Less than 100 miles to go and its getting exciting! All the boats are very close and the tactics are really under pressure to pay off. Spirit of Australia is just a few miles ahead and we're trying our bestest to catch them in time! Only 12-ish hours left!

When we arrive in Qingdao the celebrations are expected to be huge! According to Greg, one of the maintenence team in port (and my new best friend after I made flapjacks in Batam on 'maintenence mother'), people treat you like heroes and celebrities! He wasn't even sailing on one of the boats last time round but had his Clipper branded clothes on and somebody just handed him a baby to have his picture taken with! Next thing he knew, there was a whole queue of babies waiting to have their picture taken with him! Apparently, each boat has 4000 drummers and dancers dressed in team colours and a massive firework display on arrival! But if we arrive in the night, for some reason we have to wait until morning to go in. It seems the dancers need to sleep which some of the crew members aren't too happy about but, personally, I think the wait will be worth it!

Its still very chilly and the layers are on. I'm currently wearing 3 base layer leggings (normal, marino wool and cotton) two base layer tops (normal and merino), a thin fleece, my lovely snuggly romper suit-type mid layer trousers, my fab new pink fleecey mid layer jacket, two pairs of socks (cotton and merino!), two hats, gloves and full foulies and I'm still chilly on deck! The problem is it's not really much warmer down below - especially in the crew accomodation. Luckily, I have sussed the layers of my sleeping bag and keeping on the bottom base layer is essential to stay snuggly!

Despite the layers, I appear to be coming down with a bit of a cold. I've got a headache, achey arms and legs, runny nose, sore eyes, and am slightly emotional and grumpy! All in all, it's probably good for everyone that we're nearly there! Looking forward to a couple of days in Beijing whilst in China with some of the crew members and the prize giving ceremony should be fantastic! It's broadcast on Chinese national television so be sure to you-tube it!

Hope England is a little warmer than it is here but I'm still jealous we've not had any snow yet! Fingers crossed we may get some soon - I'm determined to make a Snow Angel on the side deck! Keep your fingers crossed for another top finish position for Jamaica! xxx