Day 5

Rumour on the track has it that Ciao Bella was the fastest boat through the night last night. We ourselves can’t see the tracker, but this is what we have heard. Use it, don’t use it. If this is the case, it could be said that our tactic to stay north might just be paying off at this point. But as our good man Naas Botha always says - the Currie Cup was never won in July.

Yesterday was the day of the Speedos. As I said - Don’t ask, I don’t know. I just opened my eyes to focus on three brothers and a cousin hitting the deck with bright red Speedos. Gotta love it. Will be sure to try send through a pic sometime if the email allows - especially for you Chan! Apparently it is all in preparation for the beaches of Brazil. Again, I don’t ask.

Last night saw us do a change to an asymmetrical spinnaker (to allow us to at a better angle) as well as put a reef into the main sail as we prepared for what we thought was going to be another rough ride. It was quite a wet nights sail, (with our boat currently resembling the outside of some down-town Hillbrow flat with kit pegged up all over it trying to dry), but nearly not as chaotic as the night of day 3.

Everyone is praying for the clouds on the horizon to materialise into some rain. This is not because we need any more moisture in this boat right now, but rather as everyone is desperate for a fresh-water shower. The shower routines to date has been quite comical, and consists of covering oneself in Colgate Shampoo and have a sibling take the pleasure in throwing a bucket of water (or two) over you to get it all off again. Not quite the Radox bathing experience one always hopes for.

The culinary challenge, like the seven kilo challenge, is on. Last night had dad busting out his home-made bread, as well as stewed fruit and custard - exactly as his mother used to make it. Not packet, just add water type, but the real thing... bread flour, yeast and water. Definitely ranked as one of the top culinary efforts on the trip so far.

Official song of the night - Going Back West. We have no idea who sings it, and our knowledge of the lyrics was hopelessly flawed, so we soon moved back to some good old Billy Joel to get us through the long shift.

Apologies for the mess up on the RSG interview today, signal on this sat phone is so flimsy, and we just couldn’t catch the call coming through. Will try again tomorrow.

Have a Happy Thursday everyone!