Wed 04 November - As we near the end of the trip much of the discussion on board is centred round ensuring our rations will see us through to Perth.  The scarce rations have resulted in members of the crew displaying their culinary skills creating masterpieces from nothing.  White Watch started by producing Cinnamon Swirls, only to be outdone the following day by the Chelsea Buns of Red Watch.

Over the past few weeks the crews sailing knowledge has increased dramatically, people are now confidently calling out the process as we tack through the wind, or taking moments to put in a reef as the wind increases. 

There is now an expectant air amongst the crew to determine who will be the first to see land or get the first mobile phone signal as we close down the last 800 miles to Australia.

Thursday 05 November - Greetings from White Watch!!!  At the time of writing this blog we are approximately 763 miles from throwing a few shrimps on the bar-b in Perth.

With the brilliant White Watch providing the culinary delights for the past 20 hours, morale on the boat is through the roof.  The entertainment on board as been brilliant as usual, last night it was ‘Naughts and Crosses’ followed by ‘Hangman’ on the white board.  It really does amaze us how the simple things amuse the most. 

Since yesterday afternoon the good ship Challenger has been motoring along as the wind has taken a prolonged break.  This is the worst kind of setback we could have imagined as the longer it takes for the wind to return the less time we will have in Australia.  At this rate we will have two days off when we get there.  The majority of this time being spent cleaning the boat and conducting repairs.

There was a welcome change in scenery when Hayley, Davy and Austin were sprayed by a Whale as it surfaced.  Hayley still maintains it was the best facial she has ever had!!!

Thoughts on the boat are now turning to ‘What have we missed’ mode.  In this modern tele-communications driven world it is very unusual to be cut-off from the outside world for such a prolonged period.  The sorts of questions being asked are quite funny:  How is the mighty Aberdeen Football Club getting on in the SPL?  Who won the F1 championship?  Is Tony Blair the head of Europe?  Who shot JR? And most importantly, when does the new series of Top Gear start?

As we have been at sea for four weeks and not seen land for over three, we are now starting to feel like extras in the Kevin Costner movie ‘Waterworld’, and we all know how bad that movie was.

The issuing of nicknames has also provided a good morale boost.  The Skipper has now been renamed ‘Dr Evil’, Austin is his ‘No 2’.  White Watch are now known as the following : Dave Mason is now ‘Sir Davey’, Davy K has been allocated the title ‘Princess’,  Hayley is ‘Bambi’ even though this was hotly contested between her and Dave M, (they’ve both had equal trouble  finding their feet, resulting in a few bruises and lots of laughter).  Tony has announced he will only answer to the title ‘King Ginger Love Thing’...

SHOUTS

Hayley (Bambi):  Been very quiet and relaxing not sure I have enjoyed it as much but I had one fantastic watch where me and princess had some good surf, with the mighty Taylor Swift playing on the boom box.  Been thinking about home a lot and missing my family and friends in Scotland, if they seen what I have just took part in they would think I’ve lost the plot.  Mother I shall ring you as soon I get half a bar on my signal ok?  Love you so much, say hi and I love you to my kid brothers for me xxxxxx

Davy K (Princess):  Don’t quite know how I acquired the nickname but hey ho.  Mum and Dad hope you are all fine, I’ll phone when I get back, say Hi to everyone.  Simone, hopefully you are finding the Blogs entertaining, I have written a few of them, hope are you coping with Ollie and the dogs.  Have they annoyed your parents yet??? I don’t think we will have a lot of time in Oz so I will make it my main effort to get you some Keith Urban albums.  Speak to you in about 5 days when I get a signal on my phone.  If I can’t get any Jelly Babies or Chunky Monkey Ice Cream in Oz you will have to go shopping before I come home. Love and miss you loads.  Give Ollie a big hug from me.  xxxxx.

Dave M – Sorry to everyone at home for the lack of my shouting from the boat, the blog has been pretty good at telling you all what’s been happening though! Only a few days till I get some telephone reception (hopefully?) to be able to catch up with how things have been.  Been thinking of you all loads over the past four and a half thousand miles!!!

King Ginger Love Thing: Not long now we hope, we are all counting the days down so that we can all call home, eat, drink and get merry. I hope Daisy had a great party I am sorry I missed it but we will go out when I get home.  Start buying some wine now so there is enough for when I get home!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Can’t wait to speak to you at OZ.  Hello to everyone back at home and I will see you all soon for a drink or ten.  A big shout to Edd and all at 234sqn. Take care everyone xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Matthew Arnold: I can see OZ on the GPS and it’s still about 4 day away if only they knew what is about to hit them. I’m still wanting my burger and a BIG fat steak and a long hot shower then get totally trolleyed for my birthday.

Antoni Gabanski: Hay mum and to all who are reading this. It seems we will be landing in Freemantle on the 9^th or 10^th. All is going well, taking every day as it comes. Cannot wait to be on land again, have a proper shower, bed, and meals, not slagging off the chefs on the boat or anything, and the food is very good. Soon will be sipping on a few pints. L8rz xxx

Steve Galvin: Greetings to all, since the last update there has been a distinct lack of wind and as a consequence our originally planned arrival in Freemantle has been somewhat delayed. The silver lining is not having the boat heeled over and being able to sleep without your face stuck in a “Lee cloth or a Bulk head”. The most difficult task aboard is building a meal on “Mother Watch” with our now meagre rations’ although no one has gone hungry yet. We still have a number of days of emergency rations (in the form of ORP) to fall back on should the wind continue to be unfavourable. Morale continues to stay high as the dream is still being lived. Regards and Love to all! “Live Slow & Sail Fast”.

Steve P: As you can see Oz is getting closer, though it still seems a long way off. Looking forward to stepping onto land again but sure how my legs will hold up. I’m so looking forward to getting that first phone signal so I can ring home and to speak to you Mac, it has been such a long time. Like everyone else it will be lovely to get ashore and have a shower etc and to get rid of the smell on the boat after 5 weeks in the same clothes, less the base layers. Love to everyone. Speak soon.

Shaun Broom: Hi ya babe, days getting few, feel like I have been on a diet for weeks, look weird I think. Hope you are well, as soon as I get a signal I will ring you, can’t wait to hear your voice. Gutted not going to get to Sydney can you face book Claire for me and explain things have taken a bit longer, will ring them to when get to Perth. Speak to you in a few days babe miss ya loads xxx.

Colin Harrower: Not long now....Yipeee!! Hey Gayle, really missing our daily wee chats, can’t wait to talk to you! I will ring you as soon as I can regardless of what time it is. Hope you won’t mind?  Mum, Hope Craig is now home on his well earned and deserved leave. Likewise I will call as soon as I can. Take care xox

Matt Wright: Hi all, been singing on deck and playing silly games to pass the time. I am the chess champion on the boat not found a challenger who can beat me hands down yet. Missing everyone at home love you all loads XXX

Nathan Evans : Nearly there, Tess I can’t wait to get into Australia and catch up on all thats gone on.  Hope all is well with everyone back home.  To all at 13 Sqn I hope some others will have the opportunity to take part in an exped like this in the future.