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Boy is it hot!!

October 20 2008

Boy is it hot!!!!! Definitely beach weather on deck. Down below its actually quite bearable thanks to the light wind the fleet is experiencing today. The hatches are all open which is a rarity on these boats and it is nice getting the cool air through the boat. I keep thinking it must be like one of those submarines coming up to the surface for an occasional air change!

Boots are out drying as well as socks, jocks and everything we can get on deck. I bet if we could, the galley sink would be out there too.

Had a bit of a shocker this morning. I opened my kit bag to find my bottle of antibacterial baby powder had exploded. Nice! So I had the whole thing unpacked on the aft deck much to the amusement of the guys on watch. Picture the scene if you can. Wet and semi dry clothing spread out covered in white powder, which is quickly turning to white mud, and me in the middle of it all covered from head to toe. One picture of that on the website and I am sure I will have questions to answer to the customs officers in Cape Town!

Life is good. We are well fed, rested and ready for the next challenge, which is the doldrums looming ahead of us. The nav station is a hotbed of activity, every possible scenario being considered. There are big gains and losses to be made here and a good strategy could set us up nicely for the rest of the leg. No pressure Wouter.

Guillermo is being his usual hysterically funny self, its great to have him as a watch partner again (last time was on Assa in 2001). Cam, Benno, Nick and Jez, the guys I spend 12 hours a day with, keep it up, this is great sailing.

Wow, the emails coming in from the web set are unbelievable. Thanks!