We are still bashing along in the same Force 8 that made yesterday such a struggle, although the winds are ever-so-slowly beginning to moderate. Of course, it takes a while for the seas to catch up and calm down so it is going to be bumpy long after the howling and whistling has been replaced with something more gentle.
In the early hours of this morning Cop's watch dragged up the staysail in preparation for the first of the series of sail changes that we will now go through amidst the bumping and crashing as the wind gradually eases back to something more manageable. Three times Chris, Warren, Major, John and Goldie prepared to bring down the storm stay and change up a gear, and three times they were called back with the shout of 'hold' as the wind blew back above 30 knots - yet again making a fool of those on deck whose energy levels were fading fast. Not that this did anything to lessen their admirable willingness to keep going, and going, and going.
The stay is now lashed down in the cockpit and the new watch is waiting for the call to try for the change again. Meanwhile, we are enduring the worst of the cold so far on this leg before we tack and head north later today - hopefully (speaking for more than just myself I am sure) never to return this far south again. The timing of our heater is uncanny - it must have its own sense of irony because it currently lies in bits as Rob attempts yet another valiant attempt to bully it into life. Laura is struggling through a very uncomfortable mother watch with both a gas shortage and a water limit to contend with (the water-maker goes on strike on this tack), and heavy-weather helms Cop, Andrew, David, Olly and Holger (whose birthday it is tomorrow!) are proving to be the heroes of yet another day.
In the small hours, as some of us were beginning to feel rather defeated by it all, the best comfort David could offer came in the form of the wry observation: "The thing is, you are allowed to hate this bit; and whatever way you look at it, however long it seems to take, it will inevitably come to an end." "But it doesn't feel like it!", some of us wail to ourselves.
Perhaps it is far better to look to the scheds for inspiration. Yesterday we passed the end of Australia in first place (our objection was the top five), so on that score it is big smiles all round - and the cheese celebration was a hit. Now we just have to stay in the lead for another 4,000-odd miles and we'll be home and dry. Simple! I'm off to add my small
cog to this big wheel.
Naomi Cudmore
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