Race 1 - Day 34
Crew Diary - Race 1 Day 34: Liverpool to Punta del Este
23 September

Rupert Labrum
Rupert Labrum
Team Nasdaq
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50 Shades Found But Mainly Lost

Hi all,

The ocean crossing is nearly finished and so I thought a time of reflection may be appropriate on not just a lot of soul searching but what also has been gained and lost in our five week adventure.

There have been numerous times when we have all thought, "What on earth are we doing here?", with bruised bodies, egos, lack of sleep, food and boredom. On the other hand, there will be many memories of achievements not thought possible beforehand in times of adversity, humorous moments and life long friendships forged through a common goal of taking on a challenge which will push all sense of normalisation to the limits. So, here goes my list:

Firstly, what has been lost. Well as my title suggests, 'shades'. In my case I have lost or broken five pairs of sunglasses and four pairs of reading glasses. Also, common items which have disappeared into the ether are hats, gloves, head torches and a Go Pro which is now being sportingly worn by a dolphin somewhere in the North Atlantic.

Weight has been the biggest loser with some like myself over the moon to rediscover that a six pack is not just for drinking. Others are a little more concerned that their waists are little bigger than a supermodel.

We have lost a sense of time, smell (the green cloud gives it away), modesty (waking up with someone's bottom staring you in the face would not be an uncommon sight) and our skipper Rob says table manners (we use the same bowl for chilli followed by apple pie and custard). We have not lost our sense of humour as we rely on this at 4 in the morning whilst up on deck in the rain and dark whilst trying to unwind a spinnaker wrap.

Personal items magically disappear and turn up three days later in another part of the boat with no explanation of how they arrived there.

Then there is the strange disappearance of certain food items. No-one has been able to locate a single flour wrap although assured they made the boat in Liverpool. Most intriguing is the missing Day 31 dry bag of cans of Irish stew. Having already tried the said food item, I can only assume that we were in need of cementing in a leak in the bow of the boat and short on anything else more suitable.

What have we gained? Well as already mentioned, memories and achievements which will last forever. Bruises and cuts which will last weeks and new found tolerances which in previous lives might have seemed important but which now get passed over as individual nuances.

Remarkably we have discovered that, contrary to Ken's blog on Day 30, we have actually 2 Americans onboard (Kathi must have been a stowaway living in the bilges Ken!!!).

Finally, we have learnt to win is not everything - but we will be back giving it our best for Leg 2 and we will be all moving onto the next chapter of our lives (and my next blog).

All the very best from somewhere near Punta del Este (I hope).

Rupert

Andy would like to pass on his congratulations (and all from team Nasdaq) to Ellie on achieving a first class nursing degree and to Sam on his first full time new job, really proud of you both – nice one Mrs G xx

Ken says it has come to his attention that Ventura, California is still a part of the U.S. (at least until CalExit). With this revelation he would like to send a shout out to fellow American Kathi who is also on board CV31. Finally he was remiss when sending greetings to family back home and wishes to correct by saying 'hello' to Dan and Autumn.