Necessary repairs to the mainsail
Monday 15/3/10
Position: 038degs 40' 38N 161degs 15' 73E
Boat time: 12:05hrs
As I was woken up this morning for breakfast, I poked my head out of my sleeping bag cocoon, felt the rush of freezing cold, diesel-tainted air and wriggled straight back down inside again! After a few moments of lying there in semi-consciousness, a familiar smell brought me back to life. Surely, it can't be, I thought. But the smell got stronger and stronger and I leapt out of my bunk like I was doing a Usain Bolt impression and legged it to the galley. There on the side, the last piece in the bowl with my name written all over it, basking in a yellow-golden glow, was EGGY BREAD! Yummy!!!! This little miracle cannot be fully appreciated by those at home until they understand the length of the on-going campaign to have eggy bread for breakfast on the boat! It started about half way to China when somebody told Matt and I that was what we were having but it never materialised. Since then, we have been working extra hard to persuade the Mothers that it really is very easy and they can do it! Today, it finally paid off! Matt declared the day a Jamaican national holiday but, unfortunately, we dont get any time off!
After breakfast, it was all layers on and up into the hail on deck. We were quickly put to work by Skip to hoist the Yankee 3 foresail (we had been sailing without a foresail again through the night) and to shake out the 2nd reef in the mainsail. After the evolution (change of sail plan) was done, I realised I was left to tidy the (snake) pit all by myself which really peed me off! I turned round to ask if anyone would help but they all agreed it would be best if they didn't! Apparently, I have developed a bit of an OCD (Lily's Dad says: 'I had to ask! It means Obsessive Compulsive Disorder!?') when it comes to keeping the pit tidy and there is no point anyone else helping because I just re-do it anyway. I hadn't noticed this but to prove it, when I had finished, and without me knowing, they moved one of the halyards (ropes) on to a different elastic (retainer)so it was crossed with another one and timed how long I could last without moving it. I failed miserably and didn't even last 5 minutes! I've been on this boat far too long!
Every scheduled report we get in now shows we're eating miles out of most boats and it looks like we'll be getting some good points through the scoring gate. We're still heading northwards and it's getting colder. Even during the day we've got our full layers on. The sun is still shining, though, and we're screaming along at 14 knots! Real champagne sailing! xxx
Looks to me like you have picked up another 3 points coming 2nd through the gate. Well done Jamaica. There is nothing wrong with OCD everything SHOULD have it's place. I wonder if you're that tidy at home. LOL. Love Aunty Sue xxx
ReplyDeleteHi lilybeth,
ReplyDeleteCongrats to whole team on coming 2nd through the gate.Glad I'm not sailing at those speeds with you. I'm grey enough already.
Can't wait to see you and meet some of your team mates. Pupils here getting quite excited about hearing about your exploits.
Think we heard your voice on the video when the sail was being repaired. Miss you loads and loads. Mum xxxxxxx
Hi Lily,
ReplyDeleteWell done for the 2nd place through the gate. We were glued to the race viewer on the clipper site as we could see you were catching Cape Breton Island every update as you approached it. both of us were willing you on to beat them to it.
And Eggy Bread! Oh my god I've not had that for simply ages. I've simply got to have some now you told us about it. Now the mothers have cooked it there's no stopping them doing it again LOL.
As for OCD, bet the crew would not like it if the snake pit was a mess and they needed that rope in a hurry! You stick with it Lilly and don't let them get away with that.
Well done on the gate points - keep going and you could be in a very interesting position when you get to California!! Eggy bread really does work so make sure you keep getting some.
ReplyDeleteUncle Peter & Auntie Janice