The Prologue Part Two: getting the boat ready

Yesterday was spent attacking the long list of tasks needed to get the boat ready. The skipper went up in the bosuns chair to check the rigging and tape the spreaders to prevent chafe.

Then we divided up into teams and set about replacing shackles, whipping sheets, repairing a Gelcoat crack on the transom and cleaning the fruit and vegetables.

 

Everything has to be washed by hand and then dried and re packed in clean boxes before it is brought onto the boat. Lucy The Mate is fastidious and will take no chances of bringing cockroaches or nasties on board.

She has calculated every menu for every day. 125grams of meat per person per day. Those big Dutch guys looked a bit anxious when she said this. Northern Child has done the ARC 8 times and the fastest crossing was 15 days the longest was 18. The Big Men From Holland  are hoping there's plenty of wind!



The Five Big Men From Holland