Well I am cream crackered! I have had an eventful few hours and now I am wet, cold hungry and tired and still on the wrong bloody sail plan!
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Friday 12 December at 9.15pm GMT:
"Well I am cream crackered! I have had an eventful few hours and now I am wet, cold hungry and tired and still on the wrong bloody sail plan!
"Today had bursts of 30 knots sprinkled throughout the day, which was fine until the waves started to increase that was a little full on, so I changed the headsail. On walking back from the bow, I was followed by a wave, which dumped, over my head. I was not a happy bunny. Then I knew I needed to gybe and I could wait until tomorrow morning but I was not that keen to keep heading south with the berg reports we had been sent and with the weather to come I am happy to have somewhere to run with it when it comes. So I set up to gybe and ended with the boat on its ear, with 30 knots again.
"So the gybe resulted in a second reef going in the mainsail.
"The monster cloud that ended my first attempt to gybe disappeared and I went on deck again to find another in its path. This cloud came and the heavens opened with rain...no...sleet...possibly...but there was definitely snow as when I came on deck again it was like an ice rink with a covering everywhere. It was dark otherwise I would have taken a photograph.
"Anyway gybe done, stack below moved, reef shaken out and dinner being created in its bag as we speak. Unfortunately we look like having some lighter winds now and I should change the headsail again, but I just do not have it in me at the moment so I will give up some speed for an hour while I eat and warm up before doing the next round on deck. Ding...ding!"
Dee and Aviva
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Aviva Ocean Racing summary
Record-breaking British yachtswoman Dee Caffari, who sailed into the record books in May 2006 by becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents, is attempt her next "world first" by competing in the Vendée Globe yacht race. Caffari is attempting to become the first woman to sail solo and non-stop both ways around the world.
Further information on Dee Caffari and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign can be found at www.avivaoceanracing.com.
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