Race 12 - Day 15
Crew Diary - New York, USA to Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland
05 July

Apologies for the radio silence for the last few days -- I have just been released from the ship's brig having served a week behind bars after Mr Clough caught me taking one of the buttered muffins from a plate left outside the ward room by his steward. Mr Clough said I was lucky I wasn't being transported to Australia, but I think he is a bit behind the times as a trip to Aus these days isn't quite the fearsome thing it once was.

We rounded Rockall last night. It was on Ross's tick list of things to see, so I was somewhat surprised to find out that he hadn't bothered to get out of his bunk to take a look at it during his off watch. He says there is always next time as he is considering signing up for a RTW berth on the 17/18 edition of the race.

We are now rocketing back towards Derry under spinnaker, this time for the finish once we have rounded the final mark of Rathlin Island. We are gunner do our best to make sure our efforts are not torpedoed this time. Mr Clough has estimated that we will arrive on Friday, but we have learned from experience over the last three legs, that he builds large amounts of doom and gloom contingency into his predictions in order to set expectations and not disappoint. This time, apparently, we will be sailing into a massive wind hole. We have subtracted his contingency, and all being well we'll be sinking beers on the quayside late tomorrow night (Wednesday) or early Thursday morning. Mine's a Guinness.

There is a mood of gaiety below decks with laughter issuing from the sail locker where Neill has taken to holding court; telling jokes, singing, and playing his lute, which he has switched to from the trombone as it has a more pleasing timbre and is easier on the ear. With Gary's distinctive booming roars of laughter, the ladies tittering, and Neill's string twanging accompanied by his falsetto fol-de-rols, it sounds like Henry VIII and his retinue have taken up residence in the forepeak.

We had been sailing within sight of GREAT Britain for several days up until this morning, but they have diverged from our track and now are no longer visible on the horizon or on AIS. No doubt they'll pop up again as we near the next turning point and race us to the finish. This would be pretty convenient as John Charles on GB and I are sharing accommodation in Derry, and it could mean the SWAGs will only have to make one journey to see us both in.

I'm doing Mother Watch today with Simon H. I have a certain celebratory spring in my step as this is likely to be my last ever Mother Watch of the Circumnavigation. After this, I will never again have to cook for 20 on a single gas ring, or wash up in cold sea water.

As is usual at this stage of a race, everybody is planning their first drink/meal combo and waiting for phone coverage so they can book somewhere to stay.

Until anon

Henry