Mary Doll - Day 17 - What could possibly go wrong

We are not looking our best* but we continue on under main and stay sail. We get remarkably good speeds. Morale is a bit low today with lots of replays of last nights events taking place in the minds of the crew. But we resolve not to let the event with the squall get us down but to learn what we can and accept what we cannot change. We are all safe and we know things could have been worse. Surely now our bad luck is behind us.

Toasted bagels are ordered to give the crew something to smile about. Life is good.

The gas we changed a few days ago went out unexpectedly and on inspection we find the canister empty. No more gas is on board. Half toasted bagels and another opportunity for the crew to find the positives, this is character building.

Luckily we can use the microwave. Problems starting the generator mean no microwave and worse, no more water making. Water rationing including no showering is introduced and our emergency water supply is brought from storage. And still the crew smile in the face of adversity but we agree we have enough character and don’t need any more built, thank you very much.

So now we have a boat with a limp, no hot food, a menu of eclectic cold food options and water rationing, but we dig deep, smile on and continue as a team.

The day ends with Lewis and I on night watch. I’m having the best Father and Son bonding time with Lewis and truly appreciate this opportunity to spend time with him.

It rains, no it pours, and we are soaked through and cold at 2am. It’s a bleedin’ monsoon. I think Neptune is taking the piss but still we plod on as a team and find that these challenging conditions are bringing out the best in all of us, with the occasional rant allowed. I also have to confess to having used some very colourful language.

I have the best boat, crew and son any skipper could ask for. Neptune you picked the wrong opponents.

Tomorrow will be an even better day. I’m sure of it.


Derek

* - I haven’t had a haircut since some time in June. It’s not the greatest look. Think along the lines of crossing the coiffure of Thing 1, Thing 2 and Mary Beard and you might get close to the picture. A unique look one might say. What next?