Hot Stuff - a few words from the whole crew

For today blog we have all reflected on what inspired us to cross the Atlantic, and how we feel now that we are out in the middle of it.

Emily: I wanted to give myself some time to get to grips with sailing and wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. I hoped to enjoy a simpler way of life away from castanet emails and was excited to witness Mother Nature in all her glory. Now we are (hopefully) past halfway I am very happy with my decision to set out on this adventure, and with 9 other inspirational ladies this is an adventure I will never forget.

Janet: In my 60th year and using my redundancy money I thought it would be good to have a challenge. A friend suggested the Arc and it appealed to me to cross the Atlantic on a girls for sail boat, where we muck in and get a chance to experience all aspects of sailing. Now we are over half way and it has been wonderful seeing the sun rises, sun sets, dolphins, flying fish and even a whale and a turtle. It has been challenging to say the least only having 3 1/4 hours sleep at a time, 10 people living on a 40ft boat, only sea water to wash in and facing seasickness and trying to over come it. Definitely an experience I will never forget.

Naomi: I've always wanted to visit the Caribbean so I figured I'd take the scenic route! I feel it is good to get out of your comfort zone once in a while, and combining that with my love of sailing and being around water, this was the perfect challenge for me. Surfing the swell whilst on the helm, even at 3am, is the best feeling! I am using this trip to raise money for the wonderful charity Allegra's Ambition, providing opportunities for more children to participate in outdoor sports and experiencing as much enjoyment as I have been lucky enough to. Visit virginmoneygiving.com and search Naomi Butterworth if you would like to donate. Thankyou!

Silvia: I wanted to be in the midst of that deep blue again, and as the rhythm of sun and stars rising and setting set the pace of our life on board, I actually feel how the earth turns and I am part of something bigger. Day fifteen out at sea the longitude at fourth degrees west since this morning. I feel free and peaceful, my mind centred around what really matters to me. You, mike, and our family. I am so thankful to you that you encouraged me and supported me to cross the ocean again. Dear Ma and Pa, in my thoughts you are with me every day. Thankyou for everything you taught me on the many miles together, on board and elsewhere. Ps. Mike, do you think you could switch a couple of shifts and make it to St Lucia? Nothing I would like more than that.

Rosie: I like the idea of getting places under my own steam and love when the engine cuts out and you are being propelled by the wind. I have wanted to sail across for years and was always worried it turn into a pipe dream I never achieved. I love the feeling, being at the helm with everything moving, sometimes it feels like a revolving set. Now we are heading west and chasing the sun set west to St Lucia. So far the sun has won every time but hopefully we will get one victory. So happy to have chosen this way to cross for the first time, sorry mum and dad, I mean the only time, probably! I am not finding life at sea too hard as I have managed to avoid seasickness. The most stressful bit so far is being cook. It is a lot of pressure to cook for ten in a meter squared galley. I am definitely going to go crazy on ice lollies upon arrival!

Bella: Having heard tales of other people's voyages I wanted to come and experience blue water sailing for myself. I wanted to know how it felt to be at the centre of a vast ocean, thousands of miles from land. I thought I could learn new skills and definitely gain a lot of miles for my log book. I was looking forward to seeing the night sky away from sources of light pollution and hoped for encounters with dolphins, whales and flying fish.

Josie: Having grown up sailing, thanks Dad!, I am in my happy place on a boat with the wind in my face. Sailing across the Atlantic has been a goal for a while now after hearing stories of being at sea I was keen for the challenge. So I feel extremely lucky to have been able to squeeze this trip in as one last adventure before returning to work. I imagined looking out on vast seas with nothing else in sight, epic sunrises and sunsets, huge skies, stary nights and hopefully nature at its most remote, all giving peace and perspective. Half way through and I has no disappointed. I am soaking up every minute of it, loving helming through waves into the moonlight and the sunset each day, especially yesterday's with dolphins jumping all around us.

Katerina: There were lots of reasons for my wanting to do the ARC, and at he hear of it I love sailing and wanted to challenge myself. The goal of ending up in the Caribbean and being able to say to my family in Canada that I sailed across the pond is also pretty amazing. I have to say I am enjoying this trip more than I even imagined I would. It is staring to feel like it will be strange to get off this boat and part ways with all the HotStuff crew, but I am so excited to see my family just in time for Christmas!

Sascha: I have wanted to do the ARC race for a few years now. So when I was asked to be first mate I jumped at the chance. I love being out at sea. Now that we are passed the half way point I am feeling a sense of accomplishment and relief. Spirits remain high although baby wipes and toilet paper seem to be dwindling fast.

Lizzy: I will admit right now that I have the best job in the world. It challenges you in different ways every day, you meet amazing amazing people and see sights that nature reserves for the privileged few. As with everything worth doing, it is not always easy, but that should by no means put anyone off. An easy life is a boring one and I would not swap this trip, or being exactly where I am right now for anything, this is turning out to be a corker of a trip! That being said, I am looking forward to some fresh coconut water and peanut ice cream in St Lucia!