Crew Blog

The laughter has continued

19 April 2008

Durban 2010 and Beyond's Tore practices for the gurning competiiton

As the crew kick back and finally join the motor-sailing cruising division. Daily horoscope readings from some of the US’ finest publications, reveal …that Hagen, John and Clare on arrival in Santa Cruz should be sporting “a bright yellow blouse and a sexy mini to draw attention to themselves and increase their confidence”. Can’t wait for that photo to be posted on the blog!

Following horoscope hour, Ricky threw down the gauntlet for “The Hull and Humber Guerning Challenge” and left us with the helicopter lifting strop and the camera to see what wonderful faces we could pull. Much laughter and mirth! Several props were enlisted to enhance some of the crews more comical features. The highlight no doubt was our very own Norwegian U-Boat Commander, “Admiral Tore”, donning a Durban beanie, snorkel (aka the bilge pipe), binoculars, silly glasses and the obligatory turtle neck fleece! Tore rose to the occasion - popping out of the lazerette, to the accompaniment of Neil’s U-Boat siren to scan the horizon before diving again (see photo below).

Along side the laughter we have been blessed with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, rainbows and dolphins. Bad weather…what bad weather? All but a distant memory. A day of sailing has been followed by a day of motoring as the wind came on the nose and died. With the wind increasing and slowly moving to a more favourable angle we expect to be sailing again shortly. In the meantime we eat up the miles and optimistically hope for arrival late 21st / early hours 22nd, dreaming of 2 nights in a bed before heading off to Panama.

Breaking news that 1 mile separated Singapore and Nova Scotia at the finish line kept us glued to the scheds. Our congratulations to Uniquely Singapore on their first podium position and first win. Fantastic news.

After much tweaking and fiddling of the rig, the boat feels like her old self again. Miss Daisy, as we affectionately call her is anything but slow and doddering. Bring on the competition!

Lucy and Vic.

1. Mum and Dad Silk, Tenterden Kent 19 April 2008

Hi Durban..glad to hear you are getting your wet clothes dried out now!
Tell Miss Daisy to watch out..the BBB was only 5 miles behind her at lunchtime!
Safe and happy sailing to Santa Cruz..
With best wishes..
From ‘The Silk’s’

2. Karen McRobert, Ashford, Kent 19 April 2008

Hi Vic, Glad to see you are enjoying yourself on board the mighty Durban, i would have messaged you earlier but wasn’t 100% sure you were there! It certainly sounds like an amazing experience and I have been glued to the computer since it started. Hope you are keeping well. You and Mart are going to keep me very busy now having two boats to cheer on! Enjoy the rest of your journey, safe sailing....go go go Durban! Good luck to you all on the next leg of your voyage....
Loads of love, Kaz, Lee and nearly walking Harry xxx

3. jennifer wood, london 19 April 2008

Hey Gilly and all on Durban - great to hear you’re making good progress now. Been tracking you and thinking of you and can’t wait to see you in Jamaica. Big love from everyone esp J and A. Enjoy every moment - Santa Cruz is just over the horizon x jen

4. Eileen, Santa Cruz 20 April 2008

Hi all on Durban - glad to hear conditions are better and you are eating up the miles to Santa Cruz. Have been thinking about you all and my old crew on WA. Pete (Tigger) was a dream to sail with - so there was some consolation for deserting my boat.

Looking forward to your arrival and meeting up with Mandy and other friends again.

Take care, sail fast and safe.

Eileen WA and NY crew

5. Alcott Hall Primary, Birmingham 21 April 2008

Keep going Durban, you’re nearly there
Enjoy California! (you’ll not have so long to sunbathe on the beaches this time, Mr Gray!
Hope you haven’t forgotten how to work the sails
chug! chug! chug!
‘The Academy’ x

6. Eamonn Esther & Mick, London 22 April 2008

We see you are taking the slow route and no wonder! The picture looks very similar to the Master Scuba Diver snorkel test, is there any comparison Neil?

Enjoy Santa Cruz!

7. Cobus Venter, Pretoria South africa 22 April 2008

mother and son team - keep up the good spirit and enjoy the trip. hope you dont experience what the team did on the previous portion

Regards

8. Carol Watson, Cobham, Surrey 22 April 2008

Hi Gill and all on Durban. Are you nearly there yet.....? Looks like it to me. Gill your dreams of salad could soon come true! Longing to hear about the whales and waves. Hang on in there. Go Durban go. LoL Carol x

9. Mick Dunne, London via Sydney 22 April 2008

Hi Aunty Vic,
Almost there. Hope you have a great two day break in Santa Cruz. And then onward to Panana. The Canal is an amazing experience. I’ll have to get you a certificate - The Order of The Ditch.
love Mike, Tam and the Boys

10. Jim Rahn, Santa Cruz, CA 23 April 2008

My congratulations to the skipper and crews on Durban 2010 and Beyond and Westernaustralia2011.com for not only completing this leg, but for hanging in there even with all the frustrations associated with the mis-haps. Enjoy the short stay in Santa Cruz & sail safe and fast on the next legs. I’m really working hard to be part of the competition in 09/10 & seeing you out on the horizon yesterday is pushing me that much more.

11. Anne Streatfeild, Chile 23 April 2008

Glad you�ve made it, think I�m almost on the same time zone myself now!

Have a great trip to Panama and beyond. Hi to Mandy et al.

Anne from H&H;x

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