At last the weather is getting better. It’s been easier to rest and easier to manage the routine now that we are not getting smashed by a wave every 5minutes. Because the conditions are better we had a great Christmas. ‘Skips’ (James), gave us a whole 30minutes off for our Christmas lunch! We sat around and had some whisky, gobstoppers and food and then we opened each other’s presents. I think the best present was the Army speedo’s from Jenks. James gave Cayle some Juggling Balls. I got Jenks a facemask to look after his sensitive skin, some Fishermen’s Friend mints for Cayle and some wine for James. It was a great Christmas day until we topped it off with the auto-helm breaking for the last time. We have now fitted the spare one.
The routine is pretty stuck in now. The night shifts are hard but you get used to it and to the discipline. The 3 hour night shift is still the toughest but it feels a bit like being back on an Army exercise so you just get into a routine. My recent highlights have been 1) The sunrises – they are amazing (and they mean the night shift is finally over) and 2) Jenks falling overboard today. Jenks has the stability of a baby – we renamed him Bambi on Ice. He got out of the cabin today and said, “any excitements to report from the last shift” and the next thing you knew he had tipped into the water and was dragging along on his harness strap. Cayle told me to stay in the cabin while they pulled him out.
Overall we are adapting well. We do everything as a team and share all the work, everyone is equal apart from when it comes to getting around on deck – Jenks has some severe disabilities. Cayle and I are very good at this because we shift around on our arse and that keeps us very stable.
Wildlife report: I saw a shark recently but that’s a negative on Whales and Dolphins. There are tonnes of flying fish now and we expect more as we go west. Weather looking good for the next few days and we are feeling good about being in 2nd position. I don’t think we will catch the first boat but we will do our best. It’s probably about a month until we get to Antigua and James has been telling us all about Nelsons dockyard where we will be heading to get a nice cold beer. I can’t wait for that moment. Oh, and to see my fiancé Amy of course!