We had quite an experience during a couple of night shifts going between
the Phillipine Islands. A whole fleet of fishing vessels were laying out
nets for fishing. They were everywhere. And it lasted a good eight hours,
so goodness knows how many there were. Not only did we have to avoid all
the boats, we had to avoid all the nets as well. Luckily we did – that
could have been catastrophic if we got one of those caught up in the
rudder. No-one answered on the radio, so we presumed on one spoke English. Not surprising really. Would have been nice to get some fresh fish on
board for a little menu variation! But we wouldn’t have had chips with it,
as all the potatoes have now gone. Mostly thrown out in the latter days –
they did not keep well. That is going to give the person who is mother on
Patatas Bravas day a headache!
It was my turn to clean out the bilges again this morning – the glamorous
job being filmed by Rich with my head down a wet, dirty hole in the floor.
Not sure how much of this footage will ever make the documentary, but I
feel none of it is going to be flattering. Last time I did it a bucket of
dirty water got half way up the companionway before a wave knocked Pete
sidewards and most of it came down back on top of me. Nice!
The bilge cleaning job actually came at a good time – and was a handy
diversion. I have hit another very low point in the race, that seemed to
manifest itself when I went onto watch this morning. It was raining hard,
the skies were a horrible grey reflected in the horrible grey sea. I had
yet again put my wet foulies on – and I mean wet. They are saturated all
the way through. All my clothes underneath are wet when I take them off,
and hardly get a chance to dry out on my body whilst sleeping and then it
is time to put them back on again. There is no point putting dry ones on –
the insides of my foul weather gear are almost as wet as the outside. My
skin is sore, my clothes stink, and I feel very dirty.
I sat on deck this morning and cried. I felt totally sorry for myself,
even though I was telling myself I was being pathetic. The rain was coming
down in torrents, so no one noticed. The watch I am on this time is a very
different dynamic, and I would put this one fifth out of the five legs I
have already travelled. Was it just the weather and my wet state of
affairs? Was it the people that have left the boat that I miss? Or the
people that I get on really well with that are now on the other watch? Was
it the thoughts of being at home with my family, and going to work to the
job that I love and the people that I love? Is it the fact that I now have
lost the new found confidence from the last leg, and am feeling not worthy
again? Who knows. It is probably a culmination of everything. But I
think I will have to dig deep this time, and hope that I have a shovel
capable of the job.
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
Bridget needs your comments! I will pass them on via email tomorrow.
If you are watching Chewie and Emily and Serg – that means YOU aswell.
If you can’t do comments use my facebook please.
Thanks Paul
Sarah Archer said:
Hey Bridget, Don’t let the bilges grind you down! Easier said than done I’m sure. You’ve already done so much more than I could ever do and you’re more than half way through.
Love reading the blog and very proud that our travel trade crusader Robin has gone so far!!
So come on, give yourself a slap in the face with a wet fish and just chalk it up to a low point.
Sending you big hugs virtually. X
LikeLike
Sonia said:
just thinking about the awesome time we had on the travel trade crusade “Ghostbusters rule the world ” remember how long we sat and waited for Paul to find the truck radiator cap after it blew off on the side of a mountain and how we ran through the streets in the pouring rain just go get to the checkpoint on time for some points, you are awesome in everything you and I feel so proud to work for you
Love Sonia
X
LikeLike
Rosie said:
Bridget. I don’t know you but you have been amazing so far. Just an ordinary lady thrown into a whole new world that would beat even the strongest man. Hopefully you will feel the sun outside and in soon and you will be back to your bubbly self. Keep smiling!
LikeLike
Mary Barton said:
Sent from my iPad mary_farm2000@yahoo.com
>
LikeLike
Susan Parsons said:
You will dig deep. Your indomitable spirit has got you so far and will get you all the way. Just think of the welcome you are going to have in your ‘home’ port. You’ll have a chance to get all your clothes dried out and the foulies properly reproofed. Hang on in there!
Susan X
LikeLike
Rowena said:
Hi Bridget. Coming to meet you in Qingdao and hopefully give a helping hand to and around the USA. So hang on in there – the cavalry is on its way. If that doesn’t fill you with dread, then nothing will! Rowena
LikeLike
Joy Ward said:
Down but not out!
Bridget on reading carefully between the lines of other yachts crew reports there are thoughts of “what am I doing here ?”I am sure during this period of being constantly
wet,sore in various places!and the addition of 1200 miles has contributed to your “low feelings”.I read one crew member on another yacht saw this as a bonus,that’s one bonus ball I would not want.
Soon there will be a great welcome for you all in Da Nang,comfy bed ,privacy and interesting sights.
We are so proud of you keep on sailing.
Joy and Brian xx
LikeLike
Anne Fisk said:
Dear Bridget – you can do it – tough times I know – dig deep I am sure you will find that shovel! We are all so proud of you and proud to have you as our boss. I will have a special carrot cake waiting for you when you get home. Lots of love. Anne xx
LikeLike
Renee Tilyard said:
Sounds like you’re missing Marc as much as I am 😉
Stay strong lovely lady and know how proud us mere mortals are of you super human sailors!
If you pass that handsome fellow (say I said ‘my’ as he hates ownership) Marc, who I miss dearly, in the companionway please give him a hug from us both!
Love hugs and sunshine, from all the way down under.
Renee xx
PS ‘If there was no rain, there would be no rainbows.’
LikeLike
SUZY GMAIL said:
Hi Mark,
A more than normal struggling Bridget.
Love Suz xxx
Suzanne Elise Tomkinson
>
LikeLike
Carrol said:
Just remember Bridget………you are on the way home…..hang in there.
LikeLike
joanne said:
Bridget – you are making an amazing journey – not just physically around the world, but I’d imagine this trip will have long lasting impact on how you approach things going forward. Your whole world has been turned upside-down. The emotional distress is to be expected, and I think you may be the only diarist willing to share these feeling with us out here. Having done crazy things before, trust me, EVERYONE out there is questioning themselves and their decision to do this trek.
You are halfway through. Warmer and drier weather is coming. You will make good friendships with folks on your watch. Cleaning the bilge on your downest day might not have been the best assignment… but better than having to do it on a gorgeous day when you feel great, right?
You can do this. You have been doing it, and have impressed so many of us “out here” in the world. We are all pulling for you, lady! I hope you feel better soon!
LikeLike
Brian Challis said:
Oi Keevil!
What’s this all about???
You are doing, have done something incredible (even Helder will admit that fact), so get yer wet @#se into gear and go show ’em AGAIN! You are performing absolutely out of your clammy skin!!!
The extension of this race is cruel, but you’ve got through worse, and everyone here is right behind you. You’re just having a few sh@@ days “at work” and there’s bound to be a few more, but the memories you are creating for yourself AND FOR US YOUR FOLLOWERS will live forever.
Take care, hang on tight and “smooth sailing”.
Lottsa Love, Brian x
P.S. I’ve just donated another tenner on your Just Giving page, so you got to cheer up now….;-) x
LikeLike
Ian said:
Bridget we only met you for a short space of time in London with Sonia, but since then I have been addicted to following you and the team and have race view on all the time tracking the boat, you are an inspiration to us all that if you put your mind to it you ca succeed at any thing. You blog is so funny and I can wait to get then next one in my in box. Keep it up
LikeLike
Margaret Marks said:
Chin up Bridget. You are amazing. Sending hugs from a slightly wet Lancashire xxx
LikeLike
joanne said:
I’m reading the comments as they come rolling in, and guys, I think we’d better stop with the “nice”. If Bridget is anything like most of the ladies I know, being nice to her when she’s down will only make her cry more.
SUCK IT UP Bridget! Yes, you’re crabby and wet and overwhelmed — but you are also the only person blogging honestly. Your true self comes through your writing, and we can all feel the stress and strain. Keep up the great work. Chin up, Babe!
LikeLike
Linda said:
Dear Bridget,
I know you will find that shovel very soon so chin up and just keep thinking of that lovely dry bed that will just be round the corner in Da Nang for you ,with the most amazing welcome too 😊 We are all very proud of you and are very lucky to have such a wonderful and inspirational person as our boss… Go Bridget Go ….. you can do it Love Linda xxx
LikeLike
Willie Stewart said:
Bridge, you have been an inspiration to me and I am sure for all of us who read your diary. I cannot imagine just how hard it is to keep your spirits up when the tough moments come. I fill your friends and colleagues in every COC meeting and they all express their admiration for you and ask me to convey their best wishes. Keep going take a day at a time and just think of all the fantastic memories you will have both for yourself and also to share with family and friends. You CAN do it!! Willie.
LikeLike
Anita said:
Today is a new day! Hope you are feeling brighter. 5 months done already, you will be back before you know it and itching to plan your next adventure. Dig deep Bridget, you can do it! Love and hugs Anita x
LikeLike
Cheryl said:
If anyone can find the shovel needed, you can. You’re at the very top of the league of inspirational people for what you have achieved so far, and I have no doubts that this is just a ‘blip’. You have picked yourself up and dusted yourself down before, so I know you will do it again. This leg is getting close to the end and will soon become a distant memory. We all love and miss you, are supporting you all the way and are so very, very proud of you in every way. Just hang in there.
xxxxxx
LikeLike
Rosie Potts said:
Hang in there, Bridget – if anyone can cope with such testing, damp and challenging situations – it is you! Stay safe and keep sailing.
Rosie & Holly
LikeLike
Rob Eley said:
Hi Bridget,
I’m just catching up after a skiing trip – French internet seemed more limited than boat internet! If I was there I would give you a hug which you clearly need.
In the absence of a hug you need to give yourself a strong talking to! If it wasn’t for you there would be no food on the boat, others would have to work harder, in particular helm more and everyone would laugh less. That’s with you not at you! I have sailed with many people over the years and would sail with you at any time. Still one of my favourite memories is of you asking for a bag, whilst getting your foulies on, throwing up into it, binning it and going straight on watch without a break in you stride. That’s a hard core sailor!
Robx
LikeLike