Well I am finally well enough to write here so lets back track to Sunday...
17.05.09 was the Parade of Sail. We unberthed at around 11 and then went out away from Tenerife Harbour before doubling back to put up the staysail and mizzen. Not many people were out to watch the parade which was a shame. Finally we put up the mainsail before the 1400 time check, putting us back an hour to UTC before the race start at 1500hrs.
Already many of the crew were feeling unwell, as the swell coming out of sta. cruz was quite impressive. We got the jib up and the maintopsail and we started the race well (however it took us a good half hour+ to get the topsail up... up then down... then up then down... before it was finally set correctly - good practise though).
Watch system began at 1600hrs UTC, I still felt great so went downstairs to chat to Jet to discover we were having some Dutch specialty - mashed potatoes with Endive and meat sauce! It really was delicious. Then Nele and I decided to get some rest before our watch at 0000. I had decided to go on the same watch as Nele 0000-0400 and 1200-1600. Nele Steinbeck left Amsterdam on Tecla and is going all the way to Belfast!!!
Halfway through our sleep the boat gybed and I was suddenly clinging to my bunk 5ft off the ground with no real way of staying in. I clung onto the bed until the watch at 0000. By this point I was a bit of a mess - There was no moon, no point of reference and Tecla's movement in the water was so different to other boats I'd been on. By this point I was seeing people walking around that wern't there and I was crying my eyes out. I think emotionally the distance we were due to travel had got the better of me. At 0230 I had to go down below as I was being ill over the side, shivering and all other silliness.
18.05.09 1200 - 1600 watch wasn't much better. I couldn't eat lunch except for a digestive biscuit and water. The waves (which, tbh were non-exsistant) got the better of me again. I went down below and was very very sick - I hate throwing up and was extremely frightened that I wouldnt be able to stop. After Nele's reassurance I eventually got into bed and slept. Of course I was ill some more but finally got up for 1200-1600 watch on 19.05.09.
Today I am determined to get up for my first nightwatch - otherwise I am officially a sissy, and Jocelyn is NOT a sissy!
So now for a general race update. As of today we are 1st in class and 1st overall!! So exciting as yesterday we were 2, 2 with Spirit of Bermuda in the lead and the first report but us in 4,4 but that was because everyone was bunched up at the start.
Weather? heavy seas the first night then I believe pretty light. Heavy the night of the 19th but since this morning we've had decreasing wind even going backwards for a bit this afternoon. Thats one thing that makes the atlantic ocean seem even more unending.
I think all of us have now begun to realise what a mission this is going to be if we're on day 3 and have a minimum of 14 days left. At least the food have been delicious and it makes a brilliant change to have a wheel.
Wildlife? flying fish, dolphins, sea turtles, a resident swallow, portugese man 'o war and phosphorescence at night. I believe thats all for today...
Ciao for now!
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
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