Race 9 - Day 6
Crew Diary - Race 9 Day 6: Qingdao to Seattle
29 March
After the posters on my regular commute gave the siren call of the sea, to a girl still processing the experience and after effects of a first ocean crossing in 2013, the inevitable happened. I still vividly recall the day in the Spring of 2016, I informed colleagues I was 'remote working', and caught the train to Gosport and the first encounter with the Clipper Race. I messaged my husband and sons as I stood on the doorstep of Clipper HQ and asked, “Am I going in?” “Of course you are!” was the reply. So, the first steps to the adventure were taken, and later that day I stepped blinking into the Spring sunshine having signed up not only to the Atlantic return Leg 8, but also Leg 6. Another big ocean was just too much to resist.
Starting my training in the Autumn of 2016, March 2018 - the start of Leg 6 from Qingdao - seemed a very long time in the future. Of course the time flew by, and before I knew it, I was hugging my husband and saying goodbye at Heathrow and joining crew mates on the flight to China; an adventure in itself, having never been to Asia before. Now, here I am sailing (yes, finally we have some wind!) towards the southern tip of Japan.
So far the things I was slightly anxious about have been a breeze (forgive the pun!). Arriving in China to unfamiliar culture and indecipherable language was fine, I was with crew mates and the Chinese welcome was warm and friendly and they were so interested and excited about the whole Clipper Race event. Sailing out into the Yellow Sea, instead of the huge seas and roaring wind promised for Leg 6 ….. we had no wind, and fog! So far, so Solent! Settling into life onboard and the watch system has been fine, once my bunk mate (the awesome Maz) shared key tips on kit stowage, and I got my boots back from JP (AKA Johnny Prosecco, man of the sea – and possibly a werewolf in Henri Lloyd clothing, the full moon approaches so we will know soon enough!). My esteemed Watch Leader, James (Catalogue Man), has even fixed my Elliot Brown watch strap for me.
So, here we are on day 7. Gelling well as a crew, overcoming initial challenges (close encounters with fields of rudder fouling seaweed; Chinese fishing nets; and absolutely utterly NO WIND), starting to believe we will get past Japan, and getting into our pink stride. This morning my watch came on at 0700 to increasing wind and bright sunshine reflecting off an empty sea. I jump on the helm for my stint and manage a creditable high of 6.7 kts from less than 8kts of true wind, AND on course! Then, as a lone seabird swoops across the bow and wheels away to the shining horizon, I feel the wind in my face and experience my first (and surely not my last) moment of pure elation at being back out at sea helming an iconic yacht with an ocean ahead.
Later today I will resume astronav revision and refresher session with our lovely mate Nick (AKA sexy sextant Nick) and (the real) Doctor Dodge. Just now, I write this surrounded by others on my watch, busy with their daily tasks – mothering us today are: Father (or should it be Mother today?) Fretts and our resident Tigger, Lyndy; so service (and real coffee) with a smile. Charles and Helen (as we haven't broken any sails ... yet) on hands and knees pumping bilges and berating Fretts for the watermelon juice dribbling back into the bilge they have just cleared.
Signing off for now, as the light airs so far have made us hungry for more bracing conditions, and we surely need to work off the excellent food our mothers have served up so far. Approaching Japan, where we turn the corner into the Mighty Pacific for real, we feel ready for all she can throw at us – even with a suspected werewolf onboard, I think even they get seasick!
As ever, we will sail safe and sail fast (as we can!). Think Pink!!
Kathy