Race 7 - Day 13
Crew Diary - Race 7 Day 13
23 February

It’s the little things

Two weeks ago a challenge I’ve taken on finally got underway, the Le Mans start of leg 5 of the Clipper Race.

Could an old dog learn new tricks?

All was not looking good. The sea sickness was brutal, the conditions down below deck like a Swedish sauna on steroids, it was impossible to sleep and the inability of my befuddled brain to remember and carry out sailing manoeuvres, meant I was floundering.

Slowly, however, little things started turning around. A change of sea sickness tablets got my guts to go forward again. The bond I made with my rechargeable fan enabled me to start sleeping. Help with the communication software enabled me to get news from home, and the positive, enthusiastic, determined attitude of the rest of my crew made me get my ‘big boy pants’ out. The little things were both subtle and obvious.

A smile of recognition from Liz who felt as unsure as me, the most genuine “How are you?“ from Zina, the comfort of having Simon, a fellow Aussie on board, the endless energy of Sue, Ingrid, and Charlie. The head masterly calm of Mike, the twinkle in the Polish eyes of Dazzer, the fist pumps from Hans with Viking blood in his veins. Adams showed how much skill and concern can be injected into the galley to create great food, the steely concentration from Charlotte, and irreverent, crazy, hilarious conversations with G and Fausto, perfectly balanced the serious nature of what we are trying to do.

All this is constantly being underlined by the inspirational sailing leadership of Dan and Laura.

So, with my ‘big boy pants’ on and a crew to look up to, the old dog might get to learn those new tricks.