Race 7 - Day 5
Crew Diary - Race 7 Day 5
03 February
What's up?
As we are losing track of time and unsure about how to greet people when starting our watch, we've just settled on "what's up". Works at 1am, 7am, 11am, 3pm and 7pm - our reversed watches to get some good sleep, despite the heat.
It's currently 2am local time, we're in a wind hole, close to the equator (latitude: 00*06.530'S), with just one head sail up, so I'm using this quiet time to give you some update.
We've all moved into our new lifestyle very well, getting used to each other, finding arrangements with everyone to make our lives better, and life is, to my surprise, very pleasant on board. I'm not suffering so much from the heat as some others are (and I have a bunk by a window, lucky me!) and this new experience of sailing without the foulies on (meaning it's so easy to use the heads/toilets, no need to take off five layers before being able to sit on a rocking toilet bowl) has so far been amazing. We're able to take sea water bath as frequently as we want - not daily in case you wonder, we've had good food and fresh bread every morning, some busy days with lots of evolutions (gybes, sail changes...) and quieter days when we can hang out in the sun, chat and laugh. Perfect setting to get many of us ready for a comfortable start in Leg 6 and the mighty Pacific (probably less lounging in the sun). Personally, as hoped, I love being on the foredeck, in particular at the bow, calling the trim and singing loudly where no one hears me (just like my mom, I've never been able to remember any lyrics so it can get tiring to hear non-sensical songs).
We've seen a whale this morning very close to the boat and, as I'm writing, Mac passed his head into the nav station hatch to tell me dolphins are swimming by our side. When in the doldrums we've also been able to just look at the sun penetrating the water, flashing the sea with dancing rays of light. But the most beautiful sights have been the night itself, the most star-filled skies I could dream of, and while yesterday was a very dark night, another kind of stars accompanied the boat as we were flowing through bio-luminescent planktons. These are almost impossible to catch on picture, which gives it even more value, I've spent hours just staring at the water to make sure they'll stay with me forever and I can tell you all about it when we talk again.
There is still so much to share but I'd end up boring you. I'll just add one last point, about how much this experience is teaching us how to respect each other, give everyone the space they need, get over frustrations quickly so you don't hurt or tire others. We are all such different people, but all trying to give the best version of ourselves (which is most challenging on parent/cooking day).
Feels good to write! Hope my family is closely following updates and reading this: Je vous embrasse comme je vous aime!! I hope Sarah, Olga and Felix have started sailing classes so they can be good crew when I get back.
Vamos Punta!!
Clotilde