The night sail saw the first of the rough weather, which picked up at around 2130. It was overcast but the rain held off for a while, or until at least I hit the sack, although sleeping was not easy as the boat was chucked about with the roughening sea. Immense amounts of admiration and skill should be given to Rupert for his superhuman efforts on the wheel holding her steady in a gathering sea and increasing wind, until the mate kicked him off as he felt his position as chief helmsman was being threatened. Between 0000-0400 the weather settled down to a steady force 6, but coincidently when blue watch came back on duty at 0400 more sail changes were required as the wind increased to force 7 and the skipper decided that a bit more control was required or his hot chocolate would be spilt so 2 reefs were put in the mainsail, where we all bought out our A game and we dominated the No.1 Genoa, typical sods law entailed where as soon as the bigger sail went up and oilie jackets were removed a squall hit bringing torrential rain and high winds, so jackets on and the big sail dropped. Although the night sky was lit up with rave master Julian's man overboard alarm going off 19 times in 2 watches providing us with flashing green lights and a cracking base tune, which sounds surprisingly like the Nokia message tone, 'special'. then after all this excitement breakfast loomed...
After a hearty breakfast consisting of potatoes and tomatoes the Rona II crew got stuck into another hard day of sailing. It became clear from the early morning showers, that rain would be the theme of the day. Work down below was made less pleasant due to the high humidity and clamminess of the saloon. However morale remains as high as ever with banter and singing echoing from the galley and cockpit.
Yesterdays immensely passionate work on deck really paid off with a triumphant rise from third to first place in the class. Clenched fists and beastly roars could be hear from miles away, when this news was heard, striking fear into the heart of the competition.
Over our delicious pasta and freshly made bread stories of the previous night's sailing were exchanged. Matt, for instance, vividly remembering screams from Simon: "Get there T-man", as the watch officer bellows encouragement to Toyin as he fights his way the foredeck for a highly physically demanding sail change. Luke was also relieved of any further hot chocolate making duties after a shocking batch of thick hot chocolate (described as chocolate mousse) for the night watch.
Currently mother watch is baking scones for afternoon tea to feed the wet and hungry men work with dogged determination in the rain. In a fine display of engineering brilliance mother watch constructed a drying room in the port heads and a washing line in the forepeak. this was needed to overcome the problem of wet tee-towels.
As I am writing this blog, wet seamen are coming down from the aft deck after the first showers of the race. the new and improved and clean crew is now looking forward to arriving at the first waypoint and also celebrating Ben's 18th tomorrow.
I would like to end today's blog with the quote of the day: "Jonnie is too cute to wake up", as he looks like a startled dear, when woken. The look on his face is so innocent that the task of waking him is not a nice experience.
Best wishes from Kai, Rupert, skipper and crew of Rona II.
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