Race 2 - Day 9
Crew Diary - Race 2 Day 9: Punta del Este to Cape Town
13 October

Alison Allister
Alison Allister
Team Nasdaq
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Taking part in some of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is my retirement challenge. I am in team 'Rob' and my husband is in team 'Roy'. Seems appropriate, 'Rob Roy' – we're from Scotland.

Did we know what to expect? A little – from our lovely 'worlder' friends Caroline and Adrian.

The run up has been extraordinary. The new learning (a total challenge for me!); the trips to Gosport, the New Forest and Liverpool, the amazingly diverse, interesting people, the really fun medical first aid course – who wouldn't want to be trussed up on a stretcher by big burly sailors?

BUT!!! Did it all prepare me for the actual race? It has to be experienced to be believed. It has been a bigger physical challenge than any I have ever faced. I was seasick and unable to eat for the first few days – but it's a bit like labour, once it's over it's forgotten at least a bit.

I'm now fully recovered and masochistically enjoying it all.

Very, very slowly I'm learning to sail, mentored by my lovely skipper and starboard watch especially our indispensible Phil.

One of 'life's golden moments' was when Phil suggested that I accompany him to the bow to check on the spinnaker in the middle of a clear, dark, velvety, star sprinkled night. Magical!

I wonder if my husband and I are good role models for our delightful, imaginative, quirky 4 year old granddaughter Jessica?

She has just started reception at school in London. I wonder if her teacher believed her when she told her class that 'my grampa's boat was hit by a whale in the South Atlantic ocean?'.

I'm sending lots of hugs and love to all my family and friends especially Fiona and Mum and Dad (and Ross and everyone!).

Who would have believed 34 years ago, Fraser, that your mum would be sailing off the coast of South Africa? Happy birthday, son!