Dec 12^th – 14:30 UTC – Day 18 (Ship’s time 10:30)

The wind continues to blow out here – currently we have a F7 up our back which high seas. No rest for the wicked eh? Sleep continues to be an issue due to the constant roll with some suffering more than others. Forecast for our run-in is E20-25knts which will suit us fine.  As of now we are 172nm’s from the finish line off Rodney Bay and this is possibly the last blog we will write before arrival – give or take, around this time tomorrow. It will be nice to be ‘off the hook’.

Last night was a busy night with some bad squalls and heavy rain. A cargo ship passed up behind us while we had the lights of two other yachts in sight for much of the time. They all disappear when daylight comes; with the waves it is impossible to pick them out on the horizon.

The afternoon sun got the better of us yesterday and we had a ‘couple’ of glasses of wine on deck – exhilarating while surfing down big rollers! With the smell of the finish line in our nostrils, today will probably follow a similar pattern.

Tonight Richard is promising one of his special meals and so air of excited anticipation is spreading around the ship. We have just received an nice email from Dennis Kiely of the Irish Cruiser Racer Association which is much appreciated!

As for my fellow crew members – Louis, Richard and Paul – you have been respectively interesting and charming with a great enthusiasm for the sea which has more than compensated for some of the challenges we have had to overcome. A delight to sail with!

Brendan

Skipper