- By Paul Sherwood AKA Chunks
Save The Children
With so much time to kill as we have no wind and are now probably many
miles behind we have written a poem to describe our situation...
Here goes....
Nine days into the fourth leg
and now for wind we're beginning to beg
Mother Nature has refused to blow
as we sit in the depths of a Southern Ocean low.
We were the focus of its formation
and now it is with determination
it slows us down within the fleet
making us an easier yacht to beat.
But as through the sea we gently creep
The crew have a chance for much needed sleep
Because usually through the sea we're bashing
and off the tops of waves we're crashing
As a norm we don't get much rest
If we're lucky two hours at best
Life on board is rather dull
whilst in the midst of this current lull
The crew await with baited breath
for the calm to die a rapid death
For in a matter of hours as well all know
the wind will come and sure as hell blow
It will get cold and wet and very rough
conditions aboard will become immensely tough
So when the boat starts to pitch and roll
we'll all wish we were back in the hole
Morale is now getting decidely low
as the wind, still, refuses to blow
the transom slops in the passing swell
whether we're moving or not is hard to tell
The wind we've got wouldn't move a feather
I wish we'd have better luck with the weather
For it seems just when we're in the lead
the wind always does the dasterdly deed
It eases off or dies completely
as down the fleet we slip discretely
We've had enough now of bobbing around
and need to get moving to make up ground
To find such a hole was not our choosing
and on Save the Kids we're not used to losing
We will not sit here for very much longer
Our prayers will be answered and it will blow stronger
So listen wind and of our words take heed
blow us southwest and back into the lead
So for now and the following duration
Bring us wind to ease our frustration
As Kids, for our needs, we feel you must cater
You gave us better wind around the Equator
So give us reason for jubilation
and live up to your repuation
blow old boots and put us back on track
so we can return to the front of the Challenge pack
we promise we won't ask for more
Just blow us to victory on Leg 4!
Paul Sherwood AKA Chunks
Save The Children
