Leg 2 Day 16 : 56' 45S 96' 51W

Now we have snow! 

Both watches are reporting snow showers every time they are on deck in many of the squally clouds that we are passing through throughout the last 24 hours. If the freezing cold wasn't enough the almost horizontal stream of ice stings when it hits and is even worse should a crystal catch you in the eye. As it clings to the mast and sails, this season's attire for the BP Explorer helm is a full neoprene facemask and ski goggles. For the hands, blue 'extreme' divers gloves. Collars and hoods on our fetching yellow Musto foulies are worn up with the Velcro mouth and nose panel in place. Exposure time is limited and a strange dance takes place every 30 minutes as helms and trimmers rotate with those who have been trying to keep warm below. The heater below decks is not running at all now so it looks like a huddle of smokers in the saloon as their breath forms clouds around them. Mother watch really is being mother as the person on duty makes hot drinks and looks after the crew that are sick. A sense of humour is required to and trying to raise a smile as gloves are peeled from frozen fingers is a must. It must be a similar situation for the rest of the fleet as we are all quite close together now as the packs have merged heading North for Waypoint Alpha. We are maintaining our 4th place position but it's hard work. Still, Goldie Raley is still in good spirits and says "It's never the easy times you always remember" and "OK, so it's tough now but we' ll have plenty of stories to bore our friends with once we get home" John Bass