Highs and lows

Some thoughts on the highs and lows of sailing around the world......

Just back from the 'pub' having celebrated skipper Paul's birthday so here goes. Lows include seasickness, crashing into waves as we sail upwind, the relentlessness of the vast expanse of ocean that goes on and on for mile after mile, the boredom on watch when the boat is on the same tack for up to 10 days at a time, feeing lonely and excluded, being scared during squalls when the wind whips the sail and the boat is heeled over at some ridiculous angle, missing family and friends, falling over and being hurt (though not seriously in my case), struggling to get dressed, being wet all the time and having to put on damp clothes before going on watch at 0200 ......

The highs include the brilliance of the stars and the Milky Way, a full moon, sea life, the phosphorescence in the water - looking like tiny stars - , the kindness of other crew as we try and look after each other, the changing colours and moods of the ocean, good food (especially chocolate brownies), a warm sleeping bag after a cold, dark and damp watch, a hot shower after 32 days at sea, a flat and dry bed, the sounds of water rushing past the hull as I try and go to sleep, helming in the Southern Ocean, completing the Sydney Hobart race, recognising the enormity of having sailed from London to Vietnam via Australia, crossing the Equator and taking on the role of King Neptune, laughter, smiles, and the closeness of the RTWers as we face the trials and tribulations of this epic adventure........

There are so many highs and lows and the above is just a random selection as I sit here waiting to go to bed.