Tuesday 10:00am (local time) 12:00 UTC
Not a lot to report at this end. The seas continue to bounce us around and strain of Beach Boys 'Surfing USA' keep popping into my head. The aft cabin is very noisy as the swell lands on it but then so is the front as it cuts into the waves. We keep having conversations along the lines of - 'why aren't boats sound proofed at time of construction?' The Beanie teams are tied at 6 all at present with Robert and I lagging behind in the winning hands.
The current continues to speed us on our way and we have had a couple of excellent days where we have managed 150 miles a day. This is nothing of course compared to some of the bigger boats who are turning in 190 each day. We are very much at the back of the fleet but at least we are not on our own.
Last night however everything slowed right down and the seas calmed. So much that some people actually managed to sleep last night for more than a couple of hours which was great. The watches have been changed again and we are now 2 hours behind UTC onboard. this is causing the Liz's some confusion and leaves us a tad mathematically challenged. (The guys can't figure out why and nor can we!!)
The sail configuration did not change for over 48 hours. Yesterday Liz noticed that the spinny pole was chaffing in the middle. The guys took it down to check it wasn't too worn and to put some padding on to it. Seems we caught it before any real damage was done - thank goodness. Today we have put up the chute in an attempt to catch up with a couple of boats which were on our horizon all last night. Seems crazy you cover thousands of miles and see diddly squat and all of a sudden there are 2. Anyway it was lovely to have a mast light with us all night long - don't feel quite so alone out here.
We are all beginning to think about the prospect of dry land (I know all the books tell you not to think like that but its hard not to)
Should think by the time we have survived on a week of tinned food and water we will be fantasizing about steaks and cocktails. Only hope we get them. It is incredibly hot now and we are all sharing the shaded side of the boat as the sun actually hurts your skin.
Must away as it is radio checkin time.