Crew Blog

The fabulous baker boys of Durban 2010 and Beyond

28 September 2007

Durban 2010 and Beyond's Tom and Shaz show off their buns

The crew remain in exceptional spirits and enjoying a full variety of sailing conditions.

On board the last 30 hours have brought various incidents and emotions – we are still sailing well and are currently battling it out with Hull & Humber and westernaustralia2011.com and holding off New York. Sailing can be a frustrating experience as we had positioned ourselves for the predicted wind in the west, however it never arrived. Meanwhile the boats to the east gained and we dropped from first to third position. We are hoping the wind is just ahead of schedule and will still catapult us back into the lead.

Life on board has been brilliant with some interesting incidents. Our watch had a short game of chicken with a cruise liner when crossing the main shipping lanes – just enough to startle those on deck in their penguin suits and late night gin and tonic – before Dave on the helm swung deftly behind and we disappeared into the moonlight. Talking of which, one of the watches on a quiet night shift tried howling at the moon to keep themselves amused – but now they appear to be growing facial hair at a surprising rate – so watch this space. Yet more shocking is developments in the galley where Tom and Shaz have turned into pretty good bakers – today they are aiming for tomato bread for lunch. This trip does appear to be life changing in many areas as previously they confused the term galley with gallery, they thought it was where we kept the boat’s paintings and the “chicks belonged”!

On quiet days when the wind drops the music helps to lift our spirits with various international artists keeping us company on this epic journey. However, they are accompanied by a very strange backing band, as our water maker sings along. The noise can only be described as belonging to The Clangers – for those who can remember a children’s programme with cute aliens with who communicated in metallic whistles that ranged through numerous octaves. I think Coldplay and Van Morrison should transfer this addition to their stage performances as it adds a certain individual character to their songs.

Durban 2010 and Beyond has now covered over 1069 miles. We have passed the straits of Gibraltar and are now on a parallel with Africa – which as an African boat means we are in home territory. Currently the sun is shining, the wind is Force 2-3 on the nose, and we are easing along at seven knots. However, we want to be cruising at ten knots and above so are willing the weather front to arrive soon, bringing the wind to regain our number one slot.

Mandy Brown

1. Liz & Rick, Solihull 28 September 2007

Great to hear your news Durban - we are willing you into the lead again from cold and wet solihull!

2. Lauren McCorkell, London 28 September 2007

Sound great fun Durban, wish i was there too. Hope the winds fill your sails soon and keeps them full…

Safe sailing xxx

3. Gillian, France 28 September 2007

Nice to hear that all is well, am keeping an eye on the race. Keep up the good work and get back out there in front.
Hiya Neil, thinking of you Gillian x

4. Mike & Jill and Lynne, Mtubatuba, Zululand 29 September 2007

Hi Ian and all on “Durban” Still tracking you guys everyday. Keep your spirits up, we are rooting for you.

5. Jerry Gosnell, Ramsgate, South Africa 29 September 2007

Keep it up you great Durbanites, all of us in Natal are proud of you, specially Ian, the way you have kept up with the leaders in all sorts of weather.
We’ll be waiting at the dockside as you lead the fleet into Durban.
Jerry

6. TOM CLAYTON, Yorkshire 29 September 2007

You’re doing really well . Interesting move , no doubt to confuse the opposition , the dogleg around Madeira . Keep at it . You’ve got to ALL be racing 24 hours a day which the results seem to be indicating .LUCK

7. Elizabeth Keell, Kenilworth 29 September 2007

hello to you all on Durban
still goin strong and still proud of you all. hope the move west proves to be best!!!
lots of love and a big hug to John xx

8. John Taylor, IRELAND 30 September 2007

Dave Joycey

Thought about you yesterday did some designer shopping (are you still wearing your crocs) shame about the legs.....we are all behind you (not quite)

The Lodgers…

9. Eddie, Great Durbs 30 September 2007

Hi ,
All of you are doing not only Durban but all of South Africa very proud. Am confident you will go one better than the 06-07 race.

I envy your exillerating feelings as the racing conditions and experiences on board change from moment to moment. It is now 15h02 in Durban and see you have regained the lead !!!!!!

Keep it going !!

Will come down to the yacht mole and greet you all when you come sailing into Durban harbour in 1st place

Good racing !!

All the best
Eddie Crane ( CEO ) Dangerous Goods Legislation Consultants
Durban

10. Jaques, Dargle, South Africa 30 September 2007

It’s great to see you in first position today(30/09) - you make us proud to be South African - especially with the goings on @ home!!. Keep it up team. Thinking of all of you - especially Joe & need to hear a little more news and see some photos guys!!

Clipper web team says: “Each boat can transmit back a different amount of data when they are racing according to how much their sponsor invests in communications. Unfortunately Durban only has a basic communications package enabling them to send two blogs and two images every week. However, extra content will be uploaded at the end of each race so that you can see some of their great onboard photography and footage.”

11. David, southfields 30 September 2007

Tom that bread looks better than Greggs! Keep it going. dc

12. Mick and Dot Beaumont, Nottingham 01 October 2007

To Dave Joyce
Hope you are enjoying your experience as much as we are having following the race.
All the very to you and the rest of the crew on the Durban, you are all doing a great job.

13. Karen Bright, Hull 01 October 2007

Great to hear that the Durban is holding onto the lead. Great news for all of you but very best wishes to my colleague at Hull University Business School, Mandy Brown. Good luck Mandy - we’re all rooting for you!

Karen Bright

14. caroline joyce, nottingham 01 October 2007

Go Durban Go! reading this sched and finding out that you are up in front has brought a ray of sunshine to an otherwise grey day. Watch out for them mounties!! Love to all (especially hubby Dave Joyce X)

15. Eamonn, Esther & Mick, London & Inishbiggle 01 October 2007

Good to see that you have speed and the lead in hand enjoy and keep your nose in front!

16. charlotte crabtree, Kent 01 October 2007

Wonderful progress so far well done thank you for messages. So good to see you are eating well, no time for fishing yet. Wish I could be in Salvador to greet you.

17. Kate Gray, Solihull 02 October 2007

Well done to everyone on Durban. Fantastic to see you in the lead. John,everyone in Solihull is cheering you on , you are brill! Keep up the good work . Go Durban Go!

18. Carl and Donna, Cornwall 02 October 2007

Go Joycey go...! from Jamie and Connor -
1st place - that’s better.

19. The Deanes, solihull 07 October 2007

So you can sail then!! (John!)Well done to you guys as you’re currently in the lead. We are with you on you’re journey and wish you every success. Adele, Phil and Ryan Deane

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