Day 7 | Memoirs of a novice foredeckman
Theiaoflondon
Sun 2 Dec 2018 16:15
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19 55.1N 035 19.8W @1300UT 02/12/2018
Daily Run 191nm
Tune of of the day: "Earth Song" by
Michael Jackson (please see attached photo)
Name: Iain Worswick
Age: 43
Profession: Personal Trainer
Hobbies & Interests: Sports generally and, in particular, Rugby. Dog
walking.
Previous Sailing experience: 3 days in Sardinia, mostly spent in the bar,
plus completed 1 day of a 6 week dinghy training course
Theia Crew Position: Foredeck (tee hee....)
Key skills used on this trip: very good at pulling lines, fighting with
flogging sails and repairing mechanical things when they break.
Q: So, Iain, its been your first week at sea. How are you feeling
right now?
A: Talk to me in an hour, I'm still shaking after that last gybe
manoeuvre
An hour later...
Q: So, Iain, its been your first week at sea. How are you feeling
right now?
A: I'm generally having a blast and feeling great now I've got used
to being permanently hot, tired, unwashed, exhausted, bewildered and mildly
nauseous.
Q: What has been your most scary moment on the Foredeck?
A: There have been many. However, the two that stick in my
mind are the occasion last night when I had to hold the spinnaker pole
in the pitch black with the boat bouncing all over the place while Ben
fixed the beak, and the other was when "Prince" tried to launch me into the
ocean. Note to self - don't try to strong arm a wind-filled sail the size
of a 5-a-side football pitch, particularly while standing at 45 degrees.
Q: Apart from Kay and Arlo, who/what do you miss the most?
A: Sleeping a full night, and having a level floor when using the
toilet
Q: Why did you decide to join Theia's crew?
A: I saw it as a big challenge to take me completely out of my comfort zone
(Editorial comment - large snigger from rest of Theia crew)
Q: What will you miss the most when you're back on dry land?
A: The gentlemen banter on board and the stunning night sky.
Q: What new skills have you acquired that you didn't think you'd learn
on board?
A: 101 uses for araldite and how to cook - but not at the same time!
Q: Any regrets so far?
A: Nervous giggle...
Q: What's the first thing you're going to do once you get to dry
land.
A: Find the nearest bar and fill myself with rum punch
(Incorrect answer) - Question re-stated...
Q: What's the first thing you're going to do once you get to dry
land.
A: Call Kay and tell her how much I've missed her.
(well done Iain) Q: If you could change anything about the trip so far, what would it
be?
A: Nothing, being well out of my comfort zone is good.
Really? What about the body odour, endless rolling, and tasty tank
water?
Q: What will Kay most appreciate about the trip?
A: My new found cooking skills - still have very limited application, but
definitely making progress
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to other adventure
seeking non-sailors who are thinking of sailing across the Atlantic, what would
it be?
A: Go with P&O!
On our sailing update, it is now Day 7 and we have 190 nm to go at the time
of writing until we reach the halfway mark. Last night was another
intensely frustrating one - an evening of fluky breeze, constant wind shifts and
broken sleep. Time and again we fiddled with the sail trim or adjusted our
sailing angle in order to try to keep Theia moving along and, although we took
it in turns to do watches, all of us were a little jaded the morning when the
sun finally came up. We are now seeing loads of flying fish and
yesterday a whale swam past us. In an obvious display of exhibitionism he
sneaked up behind us, then rolled over slightly disrupting Theia's sail
rhythm before then diving down out of sight to the deep seemingly without the
slightest care in the world. We therefore decided to name him Boris.
And finally, the Justice League Advent Calendar failed to
inspire again, this time the cooking chocolate being in the shape of,
we think, a candle although it instantly melted in Iain's hand and took on
the appearance of rabbit dropping. Mike ate it anyway and apparently quite
liked it. Theia Crew
Today's "firsts" for Iain
- Making a white sauce (no idea what to do with it
though)
Daily Stats
Max boat speed: 12.6kts
Dolphins spotted: 0
Whales Spotted: 1
Gybes: 1
Flying Fish on deck: 0
Buckets of vomit:
Zero |
