Crew Blog

In the words of The Boss…

27 February 2008

Durban 2010 and Beyond's Jan Nel wins the snowman-building contest

“I was bruised and battered, couldn’t tell what I felt. I was unrecognisable to myself.”

Not my words but those of Big Brucie (not the strictly come dancing one) It’s only day 3 and I (one of the new leggers) am wrecked and tired, tired of cold, wet and other non-leggers telling me ‘it was worse on the last leg’.
I don’t care - I wasn’t there - but I’m here and I’m wrecked. Here’s why:

* A ripped spinnaker now mended.
* A crash gybe at midnight.
* A bit of the deck the same outline as my nose when I hit the deck so quick when the crash gybe happened
* Several snapped lines and a broken winch.
* Mother bleedin’ duty.

A few things have been crossing my mind over the first few days. Is it OK to pee in your waterproof sleeping bag to keep warm? Could doing the dishes on a speeding boat be as difficult as standing in a portaloo while a team of JCB’s play football with it? How could I forget deodorant? Why did money pass my hands to the people who organised this torture? Does it not say in the rules of life that snow, snowball fights and ice are strictly reserved for festive occasions with warm fires and fat men in red (not Henri Lloyd red) and gifts of love and smiles and tress and land and lots of food - not on 68-foot yacht beating down the Yellow Sea!?

However on the up side, we are all having a laugh after some difficult, testing down wind sailing. The sun is shining. Morale is high and morals are slipping. Everyone is healthy and on a scale of happiness (1 - Gerry Springer Show and 10 - The Brady Bunch) we are about 8 at the minute.

The tip of Korea is in our computer aided sights and we are hoping that they can hear us as we beg them to stop eating dogs, they’re man’s best friend not man’s best Bbq’d treat. Then on to Japan where we will have to have words on the whole raw fish and dolphins issue.

Colin Hart

I am not sure that 5 nights in the Crowne Plaza just before sailing was the best preparation I could have had for life aboard Durban 2010 and Beyond, perhaps 3 nights in an igloo would have been more appropriate! Yesterday, Jan made a lovely snowman in the cockpit area taking advantage of the 6 hours of snow we had.

Our start to the race was watched by thousands of enthusiastic spectators who saw a slow start livened up by fabulous coloured fireworks and some death-defying antics by coordinated Chinese micro-light pilots. Their sophisticated machines appeared to be nothing more than a propeller strapped to their backs and some thick gloves for the cold.

Tony (bunk 14)

1. Sharon Moore, Malmesbury, Wiltshire 27 February 2008

“The man’s stark raving!” My manager, Alison. in sunny Malmesbury.

We’re following your progress with great interest every 6 hours - We know there’s a long way to go. It’s quiet at home with half our family on exciting adventures. Keep safe and it can only get warmer from here!

All the staff at Miles Morgan Travel wish you safe travelling.

Lots of love from Sharon and Simon Moore - Wife and son of Tony (Bunk 14) Hope it’s a Deluxe Bunk?! xx

2. Eamonn Esther & Mick, London 27 February 2008

Tough times are ongoing it appears. The list of repairs is enough to make you wonder what you are doing.

Don’t let the others get too far ahead and keep up that Durban 2010 spirit!

Neilly we are booked into the Royal Yacht Club for you arrival in Cork. See you there but you still have a long way to go as yet.

Stay alert and remain safe!

3. anna ryan, dublin,ireland 28 February 2008

get over it colin!stop moaning, i know you love it! the other day i got splashed by a bus, so i totally get what its like for you guys in the yellow sea, pretty much the same thing I imagine. keep the news coming and dont forget your lead/safety harness thing. from anna

4. Mavis Wood, IPR London 29 February 2008

Well “Tony bunk 14” we did warn you it wouldn’t be all plain sailing. At least you had the pleasure of the Crowne Plaza. Just remember sailing is a dream before and after the trip - unfortunately you are just in the middle bit but you are a tough cookie and will get through. May you have fair winds and calm seas and the rest of the fleet becalmed. Enjoy yourself. Mavis - IPR London

5. Ericka, Hereford 29 February 2008

Great blog Colin! A real flavour of ‘tough sailing’! Love to all and keep safe and sail FAST! Ericka Norris Leg !+2

6. Sue, Kev and family - sister in law to Tony (bunk, Newcastle 01 March 2008

Love keeping up with the progress - what an adventure!
Do you see any wildlife ?
Had an earthquake here on Wednesday night and it’s been very windy - just what you need. Safe sailing all of you.
Joe says:-
Ahoy there sailor!
Hope all is well in the Pacific!
Good luck with the rest of the race!
YOU BETTER COME 1st!!!
love, love, love
XXXXX

7. Alida du Preez, Illovo Beach 01 March 2008

I could not help but Laugh Out Loud. Yes, it is difficult but a lot of fun, if that is your idea of fun. Just skip the dancing loo, over the rail downwind works just as well, just be carefull of the shrouts, LOL Have fun and thank goodness you guys are lying second this morning, but suppose it will be a bit of a yo yo thing again. Keep safe.

8. Nick & Sarah Payne, Hampshire 01 March 2008

Message for Lucy: have fun, we love checking the site to see where you are Lucy (goddaughter) says hi and good luck. Keep up the good work, lol Nick, Sarah, Emily, Lucy & Anna

9. Mum and Dad, panama canal 02 March 2008

Dont know what your talking about we are now cruising in the pacific as well oops just spilt my gin and tonic over mums evening dress no probs here with the silver service and the swimming pool - looks like its all going better now you in the lead! Enjoy Love Mum and Dadxx

10. Alida du Preez, Illovo Beach 02 March 2008

When I loged on now after a lovely day of sailing in Durban, what a surprise, by favourite boat is 1st, and I honestly hope you guys will make hay while the going is good. Well done!!!! Have fun.

11. NORMAN, DURBAN 03 March 2008

I like your position North of the main fleet western Australia could be a threat on this leg but not overall. Clad to see you have your principal compettiors covered

12. Jess, Dublin 03 March 2008

Oh, I remember you taking that brochure from your desk drawer here and saying flippantly “I think I’ll go do some sailing “ in much the same way that the day before you had mooted the idea of starting up an online personalised mitten company, only to decide an hour later that that was a stupid idea and that instead you were going to dedicate yourself to inventing time travel or somesuch. Really, Col, of all the hare-brained schemes THIS was the one you ran with? In fairness, someone should have told you it might be a bit cold. And wet. You weren’t to know, and, being from the sunny, dry, year-round warmth of the Tropic of Belfast, must be feeling it more than most. Keep posting, and thank you’re lucky stars you’re as lanky as you are - makes you much less likely to be the first one sacrificed when rations run low.

xJess

13. Susan Cooke, IPR, London 04 March 2008

Just to let you know you are not forgotten at IPR Tony!!Would like to say “wish I was there but unfortunately I can’t”!!!
Keep smiling.

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