G’day and it’s nearly weekend!  Today is Thursday and as we listen to the calming voice of Katherine Jenkins filling Discos’ saloon it has seen the crew say their fondest farewells to the Southern Ocean.  I think every member of the crew have had their own battles to win during the last 9 days but for most this has been matched by having had lots of smiles and achievements along the way.

Since I wrote the last blog it has been quite an eventful couple of days.  Tuesday evening and after dinner we had Discos’ inaugural quiz night.  We split into watches and the games commenced.  It was only a short quiz but white watched romped home with an astounding victory especially by the team captain knowledge of Postman Pat was legendary.  However the laughter like the pleasant sunny weather slowly changed and it became chuffin’ windy and it was all hands on deck to change the sails.  The sail change was going well until Al hollowed downstairs for extra help.  His voice didn’t sound good and panic seemed to fill the damp air.  I shuffled to the hatch – that’s all that’s possible when heeled over and the yacht is bouncing around like a kids’ bouncy castle – and there I was greeted by Al and Bomber who lay on his back in pain.  When Al had taken him down to the saloon the injury wasn’t as bad as we thought and Bomber explained that it was now the 9^th time he has dislocated his knee which he himself had popped back in.  While the sail change on deck continued Bomber went to his bed.  Once the sail change crew had finished their only thought was too get warm in their beds and have a restful nights sleep.  Oh how wrong could we all be.  The noise from the sea state and the waves could only be likened to mortars landing around our beloved Disco. (a sound no-one wants to remember)  Our initial thoughts were that the Navy was launching Trafalgar II because of their position and were trying to get their own back as they are the Senior Service.  The deafening noise shook Disco all night and as the crew rose for breakfast it not only looked like a bomb had hit the galley but the crew looked liked they had just survived 10 pints of Guinness – which would be nice but it’s a dry boat.

Wednesday continued in much the same vain as the evening, a very strong wind and the yacht keeled over at an awkward angle likened to walking in a straight line after the above mentioned 10 pints.  We also discovered a leak near the heads and if you were lucky you could get a free shower if you were quick enough with your sponge and shower gel every time you visited the heads.  Terry the electrician and Jamie his apprentice eagerly mended the leak and after an hour we were water tight again.

This morning and after a good nights’ sleep all crew seem alot more jovial.  Bomber ate day 3 of the advent calendar and the relief on everyone’s face could be seen and he is fighting fit once more.  Lunchtime saw a welcome to the notorious Bass Straits and the knowing that the final furlong is in sight.  The wind is now behind us and with Phil the skipper at the helm we reached 20.4 knots we are skipping along at a good rate of knots. In addition our sail configuration is now goose-winged with a spinnaker pole holding out our foresail. 

With us now in sight of land, the mystery of the missing pants is hopefully going to be solved.  We have seen on the horizon a small rib – could this be the Melbourne customs boat?? Having read our problems on the website have realised that we did not declare that we had such an important item missing.... or is it the Kate Adie preparing for the next conflict expected once we reach Sydney and the Australians refusing Discos entry into port.  Bomber is looking towards the horizon head in hands.

Well TTFN and next time I write the blog we’ll be there ....... HOPEFULLY.

Vee

xxx

Al – Hi still alive so you can’t cash in the insurance just yet.  Speak to you next week on arrival back to planet earth.

Andrew – Debbie, Oliver, Jack and Chloe not much longer til we are in Sydney and I’ll give you a ring. Love and miss you all.

Rich – Hi Caz – not long to go now – should be in Sydney by Monday at the latest. Will call you when we get there – missing you loads. x

Vee – Hi to the Bray clan, Jess and Ben.  Not long until we get back, uncle Mike says hi to you all.  Love you and miss you all. Big Hugs xxxxxxx