Isn't today the longest day of the year..?!
Anyway it has been an amazing 24 hours on Puma which I will not forget!
I thought to write this as we passed by Youghal around 11.30am then I got distracted as a fleet of 6 Irish Navy Ships came towards us - they were about to pass our bow and stood-off to leave us pass - as the Navy waved at us and stopped to let us pass it just summed up the support and cheers we have been getting on this race.
The start was definitely my best ever - better that the Fastnet starts - such a warm show of support - IT GOOD TO BE HOME racing Round my lovely Island that is IRELAND!!!!
We got off to a great start and settled in well. Weather has been superb. We have been ahead of the fleet down to outstanding Skipper/Helm and Navigational calls from our first-mate.
At one point as we sailed quiet close to the bank inshore by Wicklow; Peter Burwood(from the navigation table) called in an calm yet urgent tone to Philippe "0.2metres of depth" - Philippe said "Oh dear were you not expecting it that low?"
Peter said
"I think it was a blip"
Philippe said
"Can you just go check there are no more blips to come..""
It made me smile as I found it funny on so many levels - the irony that the English yacht without local water -bank - depth knowledge were leading teh Irish fleet inshore and the coolness yet confidence of our leaders!
At 8pm yesterday as I and the "smarties team" were going off watch Phil Chandler noticed the "heads"
were blocked... this is indeed was a nightmare! The thoughts of passing buckets up through the boat for the next 4 days was not a pleasant thought! Us girls used the bucket and Philippe got to work and had to take all the pipes out and clear them to get to the blockage - a bloody baby-wipe of course it got there from the same person who take the socks from washing machines - it was the irish lepricon....
you get the idea... it took at least 4 hours consistantly - the smell - I really do not know how he did it!
I have such admiration for "extra curricular duties of a Skipper".
Then in the clean-up as I cleaned the floor I scooped up the 4 screws and then I had to through the rubbish in the bin-liner and located 2 - whilst Peter Brownsell made 2 extra new ones!
I must go now - we are not long to Fastnet Rock... all are happy and well - greetings to all from everyone!
