11:36 PM Fri 19 Feb 2010 GMT
Cape Breton Island - Creature Comforts - by Eleanor Gough -ninth Feb
A week out of Singapore and the crew aboard the Big Blue Canoe have settled back into the racing frame of mind. After an extended and celebratory stop, first in Batam and then Singapore, it was with some trepidation that we got back onto the boats last Tuesday knowing the conditions that lay ahead. Stories of arctic winds, huge seas, gale force winds and snow on deck are long associated with this leg; none of us has been left with any doubt that this is going to be a hard race!
So how does an ocean racing team prepare for such an experience? Apart from the obvious sailing training and two weeks of serious team bonding in the bars of Singapore most crew members bring a few items to make themselves feel a little more comfortable and at home when below decks. Ranging from books, music and films, to a piece of embroidery, a guitar or something to make your bunk and clothing a little more fragrant, everyone has a little something to ease the living conditions.
I was lucky enough to open my sailing kit in Geraldton to discover an array of baby socks which had been filled with lavender before being sewn back up again. The lavender comes from my parents' garden in the New Forest and the baby socks belonged to my niece. The lavender works wonders in my array of colourful dry bags to keep my clothes smelling a little fresher and when the crew sleeping area begins to smell like something died in it, then every little helps! Plus, I get the added benefit of being reminded of home each time I come across another little lavender parcel.
I've also been provided with a package of comfort notes from friends and family who have written me encouraging notes to remind me that they're thinking of me when things are getting tough. I just have to make sure I ration them so that they last all the way to Qingdao and across the Pacific as reading the latest weather reports I think I'm going to need every little boost I can get.
These little creature comforts act as a bit of a reality check about what we're all doing. When you spend your time surrounded by other Clipper crew it starts to feel pretty normal to sail all, or part of the way, around the world and a little slice of home puts it back into perspective.
Back to today and we're still sweltering away in the South China Sea enjoying some beautiful sailing conditions. No-one dares moan about the heat too much as we know in a few short days the weather will turn and we'll be beating away into cold, wet and windy conditions for the rest of this race. But if a little sock of lavender can keep me smelling a little bit sweet and remind me of all the support I have at home then it can't be so bad, can it?
Cape Breton Island Standing By
by Eleanor Gough
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Cape Leeuwin, WA
