The Red Sea!

So the next morning, bright early and excited. We said sad goodbyes to some of the incredible people we had enjoyed the past 48hrs with and walk up the jetty, knowing we would be returning and climbing aboard more boats quite soon. 

It was obvious when we had arrived at our destination as all we could see stretching before us was a sea of scarlet, other crew members clad in their Henri Lloyd crew jackets snaking their way into the Venue, a slightly nervous excitement and great anticipation bubbling from everyone. 

Our crew photos were completed and we too received the coveteted scarlett jacket that would soon become a key piece of kit for every occasion. 

We sneakily peaked into the auditorium and were surprised at the shire size, soon to be full of hundreds of people chatteting and awaiting to hear which skipper would be leading them in the adventure of a lifetime around the world. 

Some essential back ground and up-dates shared and a superbly inspiring talk from Sir Robin Knox-Johnson and the announcements begun. As each were read our there were slight breath holding moments until our names had safely been spoken aloud and allocated to a skipper and crew. 

Look at the bottom left corner! Yes -that's me. 

Then after all names were safely allocated to a skipper we broke out into crews to meet one another and discuss tax tics - a top secret meeting ;) suddenly the reality of the race took on a whole new meaning. How do we go from a group on mainly novice sailors who ate strangers to a winning crew? 

Spread across the world we headed off for dinner and more bonding, making the most of the precious time we had. 

Later meeting up with Julie and Romanda -the other winners, we shared a feeling of being a little daunted by the transition of possible winner to key crew member within less than 24hrs. 

But I know as late that evening we fell into bed, wee were contented to be on the journey of achieving something remarkable.