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Challenger 3 - land, sea and ladys



Its seems surreal to think we’ve been at sea for 16 days .. the days seem to drift into nights and visa versa … we haven’t seen another boat for 7 days and even the dolphins have deserted us but the good news is we are flying along at some pace . we completed our first 200 NM run in 24 hrs yesterday and from 2am yesterday to 2am last night we hit 221NM for the 24 hrs .. we’re having steady winds over 22 knots peaking in the 30’s and were currently surfing down 5 metre waves with the boat accelerating to 13knots the skip even managed a 14.5knot surge in boat speed albeit he didn’t have a witness !


 

Its funny how there’s a direct correlation between boat speed and morale aboard .. There’s been a few phases to our mood; we have now been through the first phase of the euphoria of starting our adventure, followed by several days later the low spot of “what the hell are we doing out here” ( the gifts have kept the spirits up ) And now we are in the “we are almost done phase” where conversation has now shifted to fantasizing about all sorts. The top 3 in no particular order being; favorite meals steak, lobster chips etc etc , then beer or other alcohol followed by a comfortable bed … there is also a very strong contender for this list but on an all male boat, best leave that to your imaginations … incidentally two boobies swooped down and visited us this morning trying to catch flying fish .

 

Finally with only 490NM to run and 2490NM already covered we think at this current pace we might see the landmass of St Lucia on our bow within 2 / 3 days … yippee ..

 

Before I sign off  lots of love to H and Mac and happy birthday R for the 12th …

 

MN-J

 

 

Day 17

So it’s now Wednesday morning, 11th December 2013, we’ve been at sea 2½ weeks, there’s only 325Nm to run & speculation is rife as to how far out from the island we will spot landfall.

 

But there’s a serious problem:

Picking up with Mate Darren’s observations from Day 15 about the night-time conversation, and Mark’s listing of the things we’re fantasizing about – mine is to combine 2 – 3 of those he listed (and I’m not talking about the steak, readers)….

….we’ve realized with horror that none of us can recall what a Lady actually looks like.

 

So, with reference to the photo of Girls for Sale “Hot Stuff” that was snapped at the race start line, the Skipper has introduced an intensive series of lectures, mandatory for the entire crew, to refresh our memories as to what a Lady is, and how one should behave in their company.

Role-play is a key element in this process of re-education, and Italian Henry, being possessed of the longest hair and most youthful complexion, has kindly agreed to act the female lead as the other crew members take turns to practice the finer arts of conversation and dance.

 

Gone is the “Oi, any of you ugly B@$t@?!$ wanna cuppa?”, as we now gently enquire ‘Ahem, I’ve put a kettle of water on the stove to boil. Would any of you be desirous of a hot beverage? We have Earl Grey, Peppermint, Strawberry and a Red Berries infusion to select from’.

 

Anyone found to have left the Heads seat ‘up’, seen wandering around at breakfast dressed only in underpants, rubbing their eyes and ‘scratching’, or burping at table is immediately fined one can of beer from their Finish Party allocation: Flatulence of any sort is punishable by Heads Cleaning duty for 1 day.

 

The lecture series is generally having the required effect, with conversation being now noticeably more genteel.

However, for a couple of nameless crew members, the resurgent memories of ‘Woman’ were just too much: They visibly shivered, broke into a cold sweat and mumbled ‘No No No, never again’, and attempted to jump into the sea with a Life Raft.

They are now recuperating in their bunks under constant watch and heavy sedation.


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