Race 2 - Day 14
Crew Diary - Race 2 Day 14: Punta del Este to Cape Town
18 October

Contemplating Cape Town

All being well, in less than 48 hours we will be in Cape Town. Many thoughts are already turning to our arrival and what to do while we are there. Some of us are lucky enough to have loved ones who will be there to greet us which makes the impending arrival more special.

For me this is especially true as an aim from the start of the leg has to be in Cape Town by 20th Oct, my wedding anniversary, so as to be able to share it with Bronwen, my wonderful wife.

Many are making plans of what to do and see while there, quizzing those who have been there before for the best ideas, the city tour, wine lands tours (oh yes!), Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope ... the list goes on. There are so many things to do that the conversations can go on for ages.

This second leg has been very different from the first. Being much shorter certainly changes everyone's perspective which impacts the whole atmosphere. There seems to be less intensity but more efficiency.

Everyone from Leg 1 has grown in competence and those who joined for leg 2 have all fitted in well and it has been a pleasure to see them all grow into the role of ocean sailor. The changes within the crew have changed the mood and dynamics of the group, not better or worse, just different.

The weather and seas have certainly been different with the cold, the wet, the larger seas which wash over the deck (and anyone who happens to be on deck!) all making an appearance. This leg has certainly been more of a test of our personal equipment. Those with dry suits have been wearing them and all foulies, boots and gloves have been tested by very wet conditions. Not all have passed the tests with gloves and boots sometimes faring badly. But for those progressing to Leg 3 this has been a useful trial run.

The common theme is the continued presence of the poltergeist. You put something down and within a few hours it has disappeared. The Engineer's and Bosun's lockers seem a favourite haunt for the poltergeist but any item anywhere on the boat seems fair game to the demon. Usually these items reappear a day or so where they were placed, such as Paul's gloves which reappeared on the top bunk rather than the bottom, or the Port Watch sweet bag which top bunk rather than the bottom, or the Port Watch sweet bag which vanished and reappeared. Not everything is so lucky and my hat and gloves are yet to re-materialise. Let's see what the deep clean can uncover ...

So yes, it has been a very different leg compared to the first and Cape Town will be a very welcome sight when we see it. It will be a welcome respite before we take on the challenges of the Southern Ocean.