24 weeks at Sea for Dee and Aviva

by Dee Caffari and Shore Team on 8 May 2006 RECEIVED AT 22H46 ON 7TH MAY 2006

'As the wind eased today and the sky cleared we were able to shake out the reefs and unfurl the headsails allowing for us to keep the boat speed averages high. We are gradually catching the high pressure system to the north of us. We just have to keep our fingers crossed that it continues to move to the east and doesn't stop on the way. We have been lucky today and have kept our boat speed up. Tomorrow will be interesting to see how well we progress.

'The eased sea state has allowed me to open hatches once more and also dry my clothes from the other day when I got soaked on deck from a wave. I can definitely tell the temperature is dropping. The sun is shining and the weather is warm but it is definitely not sunbathing weather anymore. I have even changed to a long sleeved top.

'This is now the beginning of my 24th week at sea and all being well, not wanting to tempt fate, this will be our last full week at sea. There will be many lasts over the remaining days. It is keeping me excited and pushing hard, but also it is bringing some more mixed emotions too.

'Today we have sailed past the Canaries. We have been well to the west so I have not seen any sign of them. I still have not seen any sign of land since the islands off the South Island of New Zealand back in February. It will be strange when I do finally see sight of land again. There is a chance I may see the Azores as I pass or failing that the next sight of land will be the Lizard light, Cornwall at the finish line. If that is the case I will have sailed around the world and only seen Cape Horn and a bit of New Zealand.'

Dee & Aviva


LATEST REPORT FROM HARRY SPEDDING:

RECEIVED AT 22H07 ON 7TH MAY 2006

The last few days have seen a huge leap in Dee's morale. After a bitter struggle with the doldrums she has made great speed North, and this has lifted her spirits. She can actually visualise crossing the finish line, and entering port for the first time. She is keen to be home, and has been pushing herself and Aviva hard to get to the finish line between The Lizard and Ushant.

During our occasional talks she has started to think about the more normal aspects of life; cars, traffic, supermarkets, haircuts. There is not a lot that she can do about these, but she has been working on one aspect that will be difficult for her. Walking. Over the last 6 months Dee has had a possible maximum walking distance of 73 feet. Her hamstrings have shortened, and without good stretching exercises she would really struggle when she gets home. This is something that affected Dee on the Global Challenge and left her with lower back problems. This time she has been better prepared and has been doing occasional stretches to help. With the finish in sight Dee is now stretching more often. After all, she is keen to be able to walk off the dock to celebrate being home!