48 hours of wet pants!

Bad joke of the day - -what do you call a snowman in summer? A carrot

So here it is ......the final blog from Team Minerva - we're here in Barbados!
Arrived at 7am local time today to find that Isis had beaten us here by just 2 hours. Congrats to Luiz and team - well done especially given the issues they'd had to deal with; we saw the 'repaired' pole - Heath Robinson would have been proud.

The last 2 days have been wet and windy and whoever suggested bringing baby wipes deserves the Nobel Prize for Care of the Nether Regions. It's rained a lot and last night we were treated to torriental downpours and spectacular 360 degree electrical storms - steering through that in the dark was like some wierd video game - bizarre.

Prior to that Dave went up the mast with a few cameras - 87 feet, rather him than me, but he did get some great photos.
After our wrapped spinnaker yesterday we thought we'd had our bad luck but no......halfway through another of Graham's culinary triumphs (risotto), the kite split and was flapping all over the shop, so we all had to haul it down and get the foresail up PDQ - more time lost, hey ho.

This wasn't the weather we'd signed up to - 40 knot winds and rain made our arrival in Barbados more like a bad day's sail to the IOW. We eventually sighted land at 00.20 and then sailed to Port St Charles to do customs clearance, and more importantly, neck some cold beer - both duties heroically performed.
On our way down the west coast of the island now to drop anchor in Carlisle Bay. Some will be leaving the boat there for more salubrious accommodation so this will be our last day altogether on the boat - what a blast....no whale or dolphin sitings but some great memories for everyone.

HUGE thanks to Monkey, Rory and Graham - guys, it would not have been the same without you - deffo the best!

Thanks also to everyone who sent us messages over the last few days - it's been great to hear from you and know you've been following our adventure, and to all those other halves who we left behind to indulge ourselves - what can we say....

We'll all be in touch by text etc when batteries have recharged!

Some messages from us:

Peggs: What an amazing experience. I have had a fantastic time and still have a week in Barbados. Thanks you for all messages. Love to mum, dad, mark and simon.

Dave: To Bev, Claire and Rachel - missing you all hope your well, look forward to seeing you soon. Yipee. Thanks to everyone who sent me messages. What a great trip.

Julian and Alita: to Kayleygh, Luke and Tom - We are missing you so much. Love you and see you next week xxxx

Ian: to Dave - 8am Barbados yacht club, Banks - nice !

Paul: Tracy, Emma, Amanda, Sarah Jo - Hiya, see you soon , Daddy.

Charlotte: Has been a fantastic adventure, miss you all, look forward to seeing you soon. x

Rory: Arrived in Barbados safe and sound, on my way to drink copious amounts of rum and coke, will call you soon. love Rory.

Monkey: Rum rum in my tum, blow the candel out now. Monkey love x

Alex: Mum, dad, mike and all of you lovely people sending messages - we have arrived ! miss you all lots of love

Bridget: here in good spirits, looking forward to terra firma and sampling rum punch ... BX

Mr Max signing off - PSAA HK

Not far now

Everyone slowly digested their submarine pizzas and settled back into their normal routine on Sunday afternoon, some reading, some chatting (with the most popular topic at the moment being whether we should have draught lager or bottled, how many, which type, and how it should be served when we reach Barbados), and laughing and others milling around the boat performing maintenance tasks, cooking or drinking tea. The afternoon went by pretty much uneventual, however there was an air of anticipation and excitement for the afternoons scheduled quiz. Unfortunately as the quiz started, some thick thunderous louds started to loom across the horizon which added an edge to the event and forced us all to focus in order to complete the proceedings before being forced down below deck from the anticipated squall. The hostesss with the mostess 'Ms Peggs', took control of the event and managed to announce the eventual winner, Mr Maxey (who obviously watches too much TV) before the rain hit with ever increasing avengence.

After taking cover from the rain, a hot disk of tuna layed of a bed of Dillon Pasta, laced by cucumber garnish and served with late afternoon beverages for all, including the famous 'Salty Sundowners'.

Dave, in his attempt to educate us motely crew, put on a podcast for weather forecasting, and after we all felt pretty competent of our ability to read the clouds and prepare for any of the prevailing weather conditions, however Dave ommitted to mention that the podcast was for the Solent and inshore waters of the UK.

The routine of the evening, and the preparations for the overnight shifts kicked in, and as everyone was returning and settling down to their personal saunas the kite decided to wrap itself around the forestay, resulting in a call for all hands on deck. Two an a half hours later, of hard sweating by the team (many strapped on to the foredeck) and some amazing trapease work by Monkey up the mast and down the forestay, the kite was eventually wrestled free, re-wooled and put back up. A well earned cup of tea was served up to all, and everyone reacted in detail their own personal struggles with the elements and the kite, while licking their battle scares, quite content that they all now have an old sea dog story to share with whoever will listen to them down their local when back in blighty.

As everyone not scheduled to be on shift returned back to their saunas around 0100hrs, a cooling shower acompanied by another amazing lightning show and shooting stars was provided for our enjoyment. The rest of the overnight watches went uneventful, followed by more early morning showers, some vivid rainbows and yet another dolphin visit.

As we sign off what is our penultimate blog, we are currently at 09.39.650N, 052.44.698N heading on a bearing of 157, speed 9Kn leaving us with 177 miles to our final destination.

A general thankyou to everyone who has sent a message, they are really appreciated.

Kumusta sa aking pamilya sa Philippines!

Alita, Julian and all of the crew on Minerva.

It doesn't rain on my watch

Last night was a big, banging night but lets start where we left off. Yesterday was scorchio, hot, hot, hot. The oppressive heat sent everyone to take refuge in whatever shade they could find, which is much smaller on our current port tack. Braveheart Graham's kilt (bedding) was crafted into a makeshift sunshade from for the helm, with the assistance of a headsail stay and some cunning knots. Lots of sunscreen and liquids all round.

Fresh food is now low and the creativity of the galley is being stretched with meals concocted from tins and dried food. Going from Jamie to Oliver in one day (please sir do I have to have more ?).

So to last night. We had a roller coaster ride with strong squally winds of 29kt forcing us North as lightning lit the sky and the heavens opened. The spinnaker pole has developed a new habit of releasing the kite on a whim, mainly during Rory's watch. Well a least the watch are now well rehearsed in resetting it in the dark, which is handy as it seems only to happen in the early hours.

The rain really started to lash down in the morning but provided an opportunity for some impromptu washing and laundry for the Minerva crew. The filming schedule for our movie took a hit with this mornings weather but we should be able to work in some dancing in the rain footage; always a silver lining. The sun is now coming out, in time for home made torpedo pizzas - back on track.

Isis are back on the horizon again, just 6nm North after 1700nm and with only 350nm to go it's wide open and going to be a race to the end. ETA in Barbados early Tuesday.


Breaking news: just had to drop the blog as the spinnaker pole dropped again, Monkey was straight up, took the helm and a brouch was narrowly avoided. Rory has done some magic to the pole - lets hope it holds !


Favourite dish of the day: porridge with golden syrup served in the rain - yum

Daily grog: last of the rum and coke

Today's crap joke: What do you call a fish with no eyes ?
fsh

Messages

Kayleigh, Luke and Tom - Mum and Dad say please text to let us know you are all fine and we'll call as soon as we get to Barbados

A big hello to the children and staff at Quayside Nursery from Alita

Hi to Bev, Claire and Rachel from Dave and thanks for the pressies

Charlotte was very happy to hear that the hospital went well for Mum

Hi to Fiona, Katherine and Olivia, hope all is well and Olivia is feeling better love from Ian

Hi to Mum, dad and Mark. Kiss the winner Simon love from Victoria

What a night ...

Minerva made it through Friday 13th keeping in the lead after gybing onto a more southerly course 250' and constant winds in the teens.

Daytime activities of eating, drinking, washing and sunbathing continued with new of organic mango face-mask for Victoria & Bridge. To mix it up we had early supper of pasta carbonara followed by rum infused "denghy" gateaux washed down with rum & coke sundowner.

A fab sunset followed by strong winds picked up throughout the night to 30 knots, with several personal bests beaten but topped by Monkey's 19.4k. Pre-dawn gybe in high seas to 295' with Isis 2m E and 30m N and 540m to go, it's all to play for ...

After breakfast filming started with Alex as Team Minerva video director and camera! Settled into another ... sunny, breezy, glorious day surfing down waves only days from cold beer.

Thanks for all the text messages, oh yes Brad's back on his bike!!

Today's crap joke: What do you call a man with no shins? Tony

BX

Halfway House 13 Nov

The Minervas celebrated only 1000 miles to go last night at the grand HALFWAY cocktail party. Surprise celebrity guest appearances from Dame Edna Everidge, cleverly disguised as Rory (the only personin the whole ondeck fleet with a red night light - OUTSIDE - his cabin) and a special appearance from Braveheart with Graham (Mel Gibson). Dame Edna shimmied up the mainmast for a group shot with a fish eye lens camera. Donning masks (thanks Tim) and moustaches (thanks Bev), the group listened and sang along to some mind Atlantic old faithfuls from, the Black Eyed Peas, Amy Winehouse, Groove Armada, whilst Monkey taught us ol' sea shanties such as - My Rhubarb Refuses to Rise.

Spent some time on our usual debate on dining out or in tonight. Graham (Masterchef) kept us on board with a terrific Spag Bol - and a freshly made half way carrot cake - washed down with bottle of port.... ahhhh alcohol - followed up with a melon laced with Baileys. Everyone dressed up in their best "black tie" swimming trunks and cocktail water wings - looked very smart. Vic taught us all THE CAT - a dance which is a very complex number with its roots in spanish flamenco. Also the team learnt an old Cape Verde routine called "Pieds de la Tigre" -modernized to TIGER FEET - known to 70's pop group MUD Fans worldwide.

Our very own philosopher JP Sartre (Ian) got us all thinking with his thought for the day - "Bloody good Melon."

Ate the last of the fresh meat - down to hard tack and our last twelve cases of Margaux. Spirits very high - everyone having fun and getting on really well and spending a lot of time doing very little - nice to be in pole position but with 1295 nm under our belt and 776 to go a lot of sailing left to do. Overhauled ISIS late yesterday as they had problems with their kite. Race on !!

I stil cant beiieve it - pinch me - we are in the middle of the blooming Atlantic

Regads to all - especially Tracy, Emma, Amanda, Sarah and Joanna xx - Paul

also some best wishes to

Kayleigh - good luck in your exams next week - Mummy and Daddy (Julian and Alitta) also to Luke and Tom - miss you and brush your teeth

Hector - Bring on the Orange BIG X - love Mum (Bridget)

Adam - God luck in your exams - Dad (Andy)

Simon - miss you - love you Victoria xxx

All Maxed Out

Yesterday closed with team Minerva's first official knot challenge...creator and master of games Dave, and his ajudicator Rory put the team to the test at sundown, against the pleas for more practice time.

After few abismal disqualifictions (myself included) Andy Maxey, closley followed by Ian, took the title and was crowned the Minerva knot pro, and was awarded a mini bottle of champers...just enough to wet the taste buds!!

Later on making it a double whammy for Maxey and show us all up completely, Andy broke the crew record to reach 17.1kn at about 11pm - albeit in the wrong direction causing us to almost broach, good effort though.... Wednesday was clearly Maxey's day!

'I see...I see ISIS!'

Team Minerva awoke this morning to the news that we have reached the half way point and with Isis back in our sights...we are now at 'halfway party day' -1000 down, and 1000 to go!!

Tim, we're thinking of you and have your outfits ready for tonight's disco on deck!I

Amongst all of the excitement an early morning gybe was called to alter Minerva onto a more southerly course. Although this was not without issues as our Pole kept tripping - but we are now to a port tack and cruising ahead at an average of 10kn. Were now playing cat and mouse with Isis as they are now just few miles way on the horizon.

We'd all like to thank Bev, for the roll of crap jokes that are keeping us entertained, from fishes with no i's to cowboys and squids!

The girls have also been entertaining the rest of the crew with their 'workout on deck' providing plenty of interesting content and moves for our new video - watch this space!

Crap joke of the day - 'What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches? A nervous wreck!'

Thanks everyone for all your messages, they are appreciated so keep them coming!

Lots of love to everyone especially the Davison's- until tomorrow..over and out!

Alex and the crew xxx

1200 miles from Barbados

and just sitting down to our Port aperitif when Juno called to advise that they had been hit by 40 knot gusts and had shredded their spinnaker when they broached!

Drinks down and all hands on deck to take down our spinnaker in rain and with black clouds descending, to swap to Staysail and Genoa.

Cup of tea later (1/2 hour in other words - just in time for the spinnaker to have been all wrapped up and stowed away, when wind dies away again and skipper decides it's safe to put spinnaker back up.

Chilli beans, rice and doritos for dinner. Disco on deck until midnight but guess the dolphins didn't approve of the taste in music as no sign of them tonight. However, lots of incredible shootng stars all night long.

By daybreak we have caught up Isis and are neck to neck, with us in a more favourable southerly position. Diana is now the one to watch - long way behind but deep south so could be interesting!

Laundry day - Charlotte lost her bikini bottoms to the wind!

Crew settling into watch patterns but still strugging with heat below deck and subsequent lack of sleep for some.

Victoria achieved a top speed so far of 16.2 knots !

Mum - good luck the hospital on Friday. Will be thinking of you x

Lots of love to all our families and friends.

Charlotte - team Minerva