Team meeting #1

Well, fruit is stored in the port nets and veggies in the starboard nets. Will the fruit last more than a few days in this heat?

Crew briefing was exciting. The buzz in the assembly room was palpable. It was good to learn that the weather forecast for the next while, as we steer through "cyclone alley" in the coming days, is clear of developing "lows" - weather patterns that can potentially develop into cyclones. Even still, these boats are built like tanks for oceans. They can take whatever weather we encounter.

Today Matt, our intrepid skipper, met with the Leg 5 team on the boat for the first time. We decided we would discuss team goals and overall strategy tomorrow. There will be plenty of time while we motor out to the starting line - 145 miles to get us safely out beyond the Great Barrier Reef. We will do a "Le Mans" start, lead by team Great Britain. Then on past the Philippines to Vietnam. ETA February 20.

Han, my watch leader, from Korea, met with the 7 of us on the "Orca" watc. We decided that the joiners could try all the roles on the boat, and we figured out a system for 2 of us at a time to be on call to support the opposite "Dolphin" watch. 

Tonight we got together for dinner at a steakhouse. No more steak for me for a while!

This is getting real!

The Airlie Beach community had a fundraiser featuring the inspiring Clipper Race Aussie skipper Wendy Tuck as guest speaker. The Joiner gals from our boat went to see if we could glean any nuggets of wisdom to share with our team. I think "transformation" was the main message. A group of relative novices to ocean racing become transformed into a well functioning ocean racing team, Leg by Leg.

Really we just went for the "high tea".

It was fun to meet local residents and we were energized by their enthusiasm for having the Clipper event in their town. One at our table is considering joining the next Race! I say, go for it!!

This is all beginning to feel quite real.

"Vittalling"

Friday Jan 16 2016 Whew! What a day! The day on the boat started with figuring out how to rig the wind scoop to get some air flow down below decks. Because it was hot!!!

Then the Joiners got a refresher on safety equipment and procedures on the boat. Then a break for lunch.

I was on the victualling prep team this afternoon. I organized the day bags into which the food will go. All the basic ingredients for the day's meals go into one dry bag and then into the bilge (the area under the floorboards). We sorted through tins of food left over from previous legs. Apparently canned Vienna sausages was not a big hit. Quite a lot of beans left over, as well. Since we are on a long race to Vietnam next, we will be making use of these tins. The fresh food supplies will be depleted by the final days or weeks of the race.

I wonder what I will be making for the team to eat when it's my turn on mother watch?

Then it was time for family and friends. Can hardly believe my adventure crossed paths with my baby brother, Zach. So fun to share stories!

One more prep day, then we're off!

No turning back now!

Airlie Beach is beautiful. A well resources region from which to explore the Great Barrier Reef. After my arrival on Thursday, I met with some of the gals from the boat for a lovely dinner. Aussie prawns in garlic and Caprese salad. The tomatoes that actually tasted like tomatoes!

Yummy mango daiquiris, too!

It's hard to see the accumulated knowledge and experience of Leavers like Regina depart from the boat. Hopefully us Joiners can work hard to get up to speed. Literally! Apparently the Worlders are getting good at integrating the Leggers onto the team.

Worlders: people who signed on for the entire 11-month circumnavigation. Leggers: people like me who signed on for one or more legs of the 8 leg race. I've signed on for legs 5 and 7. Leavers: Leggers leaving at the end of their leg. Joiners: Leggers joining a leg.

After a walk along the boardwalk with an unspeakably beautiful view of the shoreline, I joined some of the Joiners (this language is getting ridiculous) to prep the boat for the race. The Leavers and Worlders are taking some well deserved days off, since the fleet arrived in port a couple of days ahead of schedule and they speeded through their deep clean of the boat!

After I organized all the day bags for storing food supplies, Linda, our rigger, showed me how to whip a chaffing cover onto the reefing lines, important maintenance work and a skill that will come in handy on my own boat. It was a sauna down below, but working conditions topside improved once we put the shade up.

I took a break and officially registered for the Race. Handed over the passport. There's no turning back now! Can you see my boat?

In the evening, a reception at the Abell Point Yacht Club with free drink for the Joiners, then prize giving for the last race of Leg 4. Munchies were served, along with fireworks! Lots of fun buzz happening along the waterfront, but after a full day, it was back to my hotel and early to bed for me.