CLIPPER RACE 5: Santa Filling Stocking

Two sleeps until Christmas. Yes it is Christmas Eve, but on a watch system it is a bit dfferent. I will be on the ‚ÄúNice‚Äù watch and will be in bed asleep at midnight. The ‚ÄúNaughty‚Äù watch will be up when on deck so whether they get any presents or just some coal we will find out. No TV repeats here and no one brought a Christmas movie with them. Plenty of Christmas music and albums ‚Äì it‚Äôs like being at the shops but less expensive! My wife may tell me otherwise later. Today I‚Äôve been checking the access to the boat. The chimney has been cleared and the deck landing area surveyed. We have many carrots as well as biscuits and milk to ensure a happy visit. Decorations and stockings have been hung and a Secret Santa sack as well.

My adventures aloft this morning not quite as exciting as Qingdao at the start line re-attaching their yankee sheet, as I hope you can see. A very Merry Christmas to you, all the crews, families and supporters ‚Äì all of us on the race couldn‚Äôt do it
without you. A special Happy Christmas to my wife Jane and son George ‚Äì enjoy your Australian version.

Roll on the Mince Pies!