As we make our way in the final race towards Liverpool and home, my emotions waver between the elation of completing our adventure, staying the course, and yet a twinge of sadness in being unable to continue the journey encompassing even more destinations. After completing over 35,000 nautical miles, living in a unique microcosm of our very own reality show, it will be difficult not to miss the special moments and friendships that have developed throughout the circumnavigation. Whilst the relief and joy of completing such a test cannot be underestimated neither can the support that has been given to all of us from fellow crew, clipper staff, sponsors and of course friends and family. Without your special thoughts and encouragement our task would have been made even more difficult and for some maybe could have become impossible. Thank you to everyone, it really has made a difference.
Once again, may I say thank you to all of the youngsters following, especially to the pupils of Alcott Hall School. I hope you have gained as much as I have from this year’s experience. To friends and family everywhere, even though our immediate task is almost at an end, please keep blowing those warm winds, you never know when we might need them next. The journey doesn’t stop until we reach our final destination! Adieu, Bon Chance, see you all soon, sooner or soonest. Thanks for being there in thought and deed, throughout and beyond.
John
Race viewer addicts will be happy to hear on this short race, instead of having to wait 6 hours for your fix, the site will now be updated approximately every 3 hours.
I am now officially an ocean racer!!
So what was it like, I hear you ask....
Leaving Sydney was fun. Although a small (and very remote) town, the population had really got behind the race and they turned out in droves to see us off. We paraded down the main street escorted by children from local schools and then had an official send off from local dignataries. As each boat slipped, its boat song was played and the names of the crew members were read out. Inexplicably, I became Stephen Hills and the rest of the crew thought this was highly amusing. Whenever you go on deck in the dark you have to announce who you are i.e. 'Steph on deck'. Well obviously I now get greeted with 'Evening Steve!'.
We had a very exciting race start tacking out of the harbour (3-4 miles) in close proximity to the rest of the fleet and trying to avoid the numerous lobster pots. When we got outside the harbour the wind died. Along with the rest of the fleet we struggled for a couple of days, trying to get around Newfoundland and out into the open Atlantic where we hoped there would be more wind.
The 'exciting' thing about the Newfie coast and the sea area called the Grand Banks is the combination of icebergs and thick fog. June is the prime time for bergs and their smaller cousins called growlers (interesting point for the French speakers, growlers are called bourgignons in french - I shall look at beef in red wine in a new light!). We operated a constant radar watch and are fairly sure that we came within 1 mile of a berg although we couldn't see it.
Fortunately the wind picked up. Unfortunately, it was the combination of wind direction and wave motion that allowed me to reacquaint myself with the inside of a series of brown paper bags. 12 hours later and I was back to normal and learning how to helm the boat in the Atlantic swell. You look behind you and see waves approaching that are probably 10 feet above deck height. It starts to roll under the boat and there is a moment when Durbs is on top of the wave and she seems to stop... And then you feel the power of the wave pick her up and you're off with water creaming away from the bow - my best speed was 12.6 knots but I've no idea how big my grin was!
The weather improved as we got closer to Ireland although I didn't actually take my thermals off until the last day as we sailed along the Irish Coast!
We arrived in Crosshaven a couple of days ahead of schedule on Saturday night. Coming onto the pontoon was really emotional - quite a few of the Durban crew from earlier legs were there to greet us, and Ewan and Wendy from H&H were there to meet me which was wonderful as we had shared our apprehension about the crossing before leaving Sydney.
I expected the Atlantic to be grey, cold and have big waves. I have seen it like that but I have also seen it crystal clear, blue and glassy. I never tire of looking at the sea and am constantly amazed by the power of nature. It has been a truly amazing experience and there is still the Irish Sea and the big finish in Liverpool to come.
We set off for Liverpool on Thursday morning but in the meantime, we're all relaxing in Carrigaline near Cork and enjoying the craic!
Hope you're all well and thanks for all the 'well done' texts and emails!
I’ve been formally instructed by my esteemed team leader, Lucy, to write the latest blog. Bearing in mind I don’t know what a blog is, this should be interesting.
I am the boat imposter, or Roger the cabin boy according to my mates in Manchester. I didn’t join until Nova Scotia and feel like I’m just about fitting in - and we are only two days away from Ireland. Having had the baptism of fire arriving into Sydney, Nova Scotia when I threw up so much I thought I was going to turn myself inside out, I’ve now found my sea legs. I had to as well, as we have had some fun over the past two days surfing down-wind in big Atlantic waves. It’s like a roller coaster you can’t get off.
I’d like to take this opportunity to represent the crew supporting role which I think is my best position, bearing in mind I’m not much good at the specialist sail racing stuff. However, we do provide an important service from head cleaning, including hair removal from below the drained floor, cooking at 30 degree angles and just generally being available to lug stuff around. It puts me in mind of Spike Milligan’s book, ‘Hitler; my role in his downfall’. Mine will be ‘Clipper; my role in their success’.
When you sit on deck, sometimes for quite long periods with not much to do, your mind does wander. I’m in a watch with three women and, when you can get a word in edge ways, deck games are in order. Steph suggested ‘shoot, shag, marry’ - which took up the hours on the night watch. Mandy was asked to choose between Bungle, Zippy and George. She shot poor old George, I think cos she saw a challenge in the talking department, shagged Zippy, maybe he is the submissive type and married Bungle cos he is warm and furry!!!...what!!
There’s a lot of talk about ‘short and curlies’ when cleaning the heads. I seem to remember a Geoff Capes type pulling a double decker London bus attached to his. When witnessing the vang snapping during a particularly fierce gust of wind I got to think of how I could contribute more to Clipper. Why not suggest Geoff becomes the source of the raw material for Marlow the rope suppliers. Rope damage would be a thing of the past…..generous! Have we got a patents specialist somewhere??
Signing off…nanu nanu.
Paul H
