Paula Rosa - Sunday 2nd December – Paula Rosa

Sunday 2nd December – Paula Rosa


Last night the sky cleared and the stars came out again, but still very dark

Sitting at the stern the waves continue to chase us, the sound is amplified at night as the boat quietens down, breaking against the transom, sounds a bit like a steam train rushing up behind you!

Watches pass pretty quickly, the getting up bit is the very worst but a couple of minutes out side and the breeze helps wake us up, its also warming up. Watches are in pairs so very different to my last trip doing hateful single watches. A cup of tea and a treat is especially good in the early hours of the morning.

Tonight the moon finally arrives and is high in the sky by my 5am watch, just a thick sliver left, soon it will be dark throughout the night. Moonlight is very cheering even though it diminishes the star display.


By 6.30 the sky is lightening and the crack bow team are on deck to do, you guessed it, a gybe…

All done, the reef in the main is shaken out as the winds are predicted to be lighter today, the asymmetric is snuffed, ready for its checks before re hoisting – all has gone so well until just as it is unleashed from its sock 2 long tears at the top of the sail appear!! Down it comes again and while much discussion takes place the jib is unfurled and we set off once again at a more sedate pace than previously. While all that is happening the sun has popped up and the golden glow of the start of another day.

As things feel distinctly calmer and there is much activity examining torn sails, I’m off to have another shower. Now that I’ve mastered the one handed shampoo etc I am going to have a go on the shaving, if the boys (all except David appear cleanly shaven each day) then surely I can manage too (my legs that is!!) I think I have become a bit too cocky, balancing on one leg, holding on whilst wielding a razor is not such a good idea after all – that’s probably too much information regarding personal hygiene so, to move on!

We have a second hand asymmetric tucked in the depths of the sail locker, which is fished out; it will be its first time up so fingers crossed. After a few foiled attempts and rope untwisting we finally have a kite again, a bit smaller but will hopefully do the job – so that’s the whole morning disappeared!

Can’t afford any more damages!

Pete now has a new official role of meteorologist, he is kept busy studying the information coming in and helping to set the course accordingly. There is much talk throughout the days about angels and polar bears, unfortunately that is angles and polars (nothing to do with angels or the big white creatures) things definitely getting very technical – maybe something to do with now being in 2nd place – amazing, Paula Rosa is flying…

The ocean today is so so blue, the waves are smaller and more friendly the sky is blue with cotton wool clouds, it really is picture book perfect.

Celebrations as we have been out in the ocean for a week and we have just made ½ way – beers for some and wine for others just as the sun goes down on another day

Missing you all and keep on tracking…

Dee x