Race 12 - Day 18
Crew Diary - New York, USA to Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland
09 July

So here we are bobbing along going round Rathlin Island, ( for my race crew at home think heartbreak reach..) it's not exactly the most thrilling part of the race, but we are edging closer to the finish line, slowly! There are still cries of 5 MORE DAYS! I think that is so we don't get too excited or carried away with when we might actually arrive.

We are definitely ready to arrive now, our little jaunt North has given us cause to reminisce a little on Pacific conditions, the cold and wet being two of our favourites, I will never complain about being cold and wet again – i.e when walking the dog - knowing that a hot shower, a fluffy hoody and my bed are never more than 24hrs away after having endured it.

We are currently on the 10pm – 2am watch, it's actually dark out for a change and the rain keeps falling but in between the numerous tacks and sail adjustments to try and get the boat moving the crew are reverting to land lubbing habits.. namely technology – the mobile phone signal has been discovered, it's flukey and intermittent but enough to keep us chatting about what has been happening with our families and the other wonders that facebook likes to update you on... Hobbits & I very nearly partook in a quiz about Dawson's creek – sadly for us it wouldn't download!

I succumbed to the technology world for a short scroll through my updates, I stumbled upon something my brother posted – a belated happy birthday wish (standard ;-)) along with some heartfelt words. I wouldn't usually be one to share personal emotions quite so openly but I feel it shows us all how this race can change us and inspire those around us.

So he says ' First of all Happy Birthday! I'm sure this one will stand out more than others for a while. Secondly I couldn't be prouder of you for making this experience happen for yourself, I wasn't around to witness the graft you put in to get yourself where you are now but wish I'd done more to be a part of it. You have inspired me to do more. “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover” - Mark Twain '

If this is the only person I have inspired then that is enough for me, but to those of you out there who wonder where life is taking them then all I say is dream big, it's possible.

Siblings on Seattle

Emily