Crew Blog

A word from the boat imposter

27 June 2008

Durban 2010 and Beyond under kite across the Atlantic

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

1. Mike Binckes, Jozi 30 June 2008

Hi crew - well done on a successful Atlantic crossing! Sitting and tracking your progress has been a task which consumed me. With updates 6 hourly, it didnt matter where I was, I had to download them! I’ve even managed to get my mobile to connect to the web! And then the dreaded, NO UPDATE AVAILABLE would come through - I felt like my fix had been taken from me - I became possessed, and checked every 3 minutes, ahhh, until finally I got my data, Durban 2010 was going well. Thanks for keeping me gripped for the last few weeks, Mich, thinking of you, at least every 6 hours, enjoy the break and GOFORIT in the last leg....

Mike x

2. Belinda Evert, Jozi 01 July 2008

Howdy She and Crew- I can’t believe your race is nearing the end, the time on shore has really gone by fast. Best of luck over the final stretch. Lookig forward to some no doubt great stories. Enjoy it, you are all experiencing a once in a life time advernture. Happy sailing. May the winds be with you. Love Kie ( Michelle’s little sister-Belinda)

3. Christopher Arthur Wise, Lewisham London 02 July 2008

Dear all.
Sorry not to have been in touch for so long, but it’s all been a bit hectic here.
It’s good to see you all have arived in Cork O.K. It must seem a bit strange to be so near the end of such a great adventure. I would love to be in Liverpool for your return but I am on call for work this week. Give Keith Lewisham Hospitals love and tell him I will make sure the rad in his office is bled.
I don’t know if there will be a reunion of any sort at “The Bok Bar” I hope so as I have not managed to get to any of the later evenings.
All the very best to you all.
Chris Wise

4. Jacqui Maroun, Johannesburg, SA 04 July 2008

Dur-ban! Dur-ban! Dur-ban! Wishing you the most exciting rewarding days of the race Mish and crew. Enjoy. Love Jax

5. Brian Verstage, Hythe, Southampton, UK 07 July 2008

Hi Durban,

Well done.
I was interested to read the blog; did the 3rd young lady get a chance to organise 3 subjects to talk about, or couldn’t she get a word in?

Mandy - was this the Zippy you met in Cowes, and who is Bungle?

Hope to hear all about it one day…

Brian V

PS Why didn’t they leave the Nav. to you?

Page 1 of 1 pages