A special day

I seem to be making a habit of sailing on my birthday. The very first time I went offshore sailing was over the weekend of my seventeenth birthday, and there have been a few at sea since. Yesterday was no exception. Here are a few highlights.

0000
Chris wishes me happy birthday as we come off watch, heading for bed. Receive message from Mum and Dad wishing me a happy birthday.

0300
I get up for my next watch and am about to put on my lifejacket when I catch a glimpse of the time on someone else’s watch, so go back to bed.

0315
The boat is filled with the smell of baking as Ryan makes cupcakes for my birthday.

0400
Announce my arrival on deck as we are supposed to do at night, and am greeted with a chorus of Happy Birthday

0645
Am allowed to go below and have breakfast first. Ryan looks surprised at my request for a hot chocolate but acquiesces.

0800
Receive birthday messages from Peter

1200
The food theme today is Japanese, my favourite lunch. It just happened this way.

1300
At the helm, am told I can helm all afternoon but have to stop as I am daydreaming too much. I am supposed to be steering a straight course but am veering from right to left and back again rather a lot.

1400
Open my first card from my brother Peter and wife Lynsey to Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday on Jules’ iPhone. Dolphins hear it! and come to play alongside the boat, jumping out of the water often. Peter, it’s 27!

1615
Open my second birthday card from Mum and Dad (you’re quite right, I haven’t
changed) along with a couple of presents from members of the crew – an inflatable seagull being one of them and some temporary tattoos the other.

1800
The team meeting ends with a rendition of Happy Birthday for me, and Ryan presents me with a card from the crew and a now iced cupcake, saying that I am the only one allowed to eat it before dinner! And there’s also one for me later.

2010
Given last birthday card from Marlene and Bryn. Informed that Emma has sent me some birthday wishes from herself and collated from my Facebook page.

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