Crew Blog

The South China Sea

30 January 2008

Durban 2010 and Beyond's Liz in the galley

Well folks here we are in the South China Sea having left Singapore with lots of good wishes and a hearty breakfast courtesy of Keppel Marina who not only gave us a wonderful welcome but a fabulous send off.

They bid us farewell to the beat of a Chinese dragon dance. Each boat had its’ own dragon wishing them luck and a goody bag for every crew member. We set off in formation out of Keppel Marina and during lull before race start we rummaged through our goody bags. Everyone was quite satisfied with contents until Ian produced a watch from his causing a frantic re-examining of the bags. It was just one of Ian’s little jokes.

The sea sick people amongst us have donned our patches and look like members of a secret society recognisable by the patch behind the ear. I have been informed by a friend that it’s possible to feel a little queasy at the pointy end of the QE2. I in turn pointed out the pointy end of a clipper yacht is the last place you want be when feeling a little queasy.

Now, to the race itself. It’s upwind all the way so this means tack, tack, tack. This also means that the race so far is very close and can change with each tack.

There’s not much distance between the ten clippers which means everything is up for grabs but we’ve still got a very long way to go. It also means that everything is at a jaunty angle which makes life on board very interesting. Being healed over can some things very difficult and simple things like getting into your bunk take on a whole new dimension. For instance Janet has to climb into her bunk using only muscle strength, determination and a sail-tie tied to her locker to pull herself up not easy in the dead of night and the middle of a tack. A small but perfectly formed rope ladder has been considered but the sail tie seems to be adequate for the moment.

Not too many bruises so far, have taken to keeping as low down on the deck as humanly possible but it all went horribly wrong in the galley and am no longer bruise free. Still mustn’t grumble. Still waiting for the steward to bring me my tea in the morning and they keep some funny hours on these boats. It seems just as you get to your bunk and close your eyes for a well deserved rest someone wakes you and says you’re wanted on deck. I’m also having difficult finding the showers and the spa. Perhaps I haven’t looked everywhere yet there’s always the rope locker or the lazarette wherever they are.

Must sign off now people to see places to go and I’ve booked a pedicure for the moment I find the spa.

Liz

1. Andrea Clark-Groden, Toronto 31 January 2008

Liz, Great to see you washing “dishes” instead of undergarments which is a change from the last update! Certainly looks close for Durban in the midst of the fleet but hang in there and tack, tack, tack. As for the pedicure, I’m booked this weekend but I promise I won’t enjoy it. Love, A-J and John

2. gordon clark, uk 01 February 2008

Sounds like the toughest part of the race still to come but great competition! Keep challenging Durban I know you can do it. Then again I’m a bit biased I’m married to the author of this article..........

3. Alcott Hall Primary, Birmingham 01 February 2008

Hi Mr. Gray and Durbanites (new ones and old ones!),
It’s been ages since we sent you a message - we’ve read your postcards and seen where you’ve been This race looks a bit tricky, lots of zig-zagging about and chasing the wind - we are following you on our map and we try and guess which way you’ll go next
Thinking of you........whooooooooooooooooooooosssssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhh!
‘The Academy’ x

4. Alcott Hall Primary, Birmingham 01 February 2008

P.S. Dear Liz,
When you find the spa can you let Mr. Gray know, he’s been bobbing about since last September and we think he might fancy a bit of pampering too!
‘The Academy’ x

5. Shirley Barrett, Knowle Solihull 01 February 2008

I suspect sharing a room in Portugal for our ‘girlie’ week next September will be a doddle after this. Keep up the good work - there’s all to play for!

6. Keith Barrett, Knowle, England 01 February 2008

Liz

Your galley looks like the kitchenette here at the office ... but smaller! Knowing you, it will be the cleanest galley in the fleet. We’re tracking your every move and it all looks very close. How exciting! Take care. Keith x

7. Eamonn & Esther, Innishbiggle 04 February 2008

Well you should ask Neilly of his exploits both on top of and below the South China Sea. It will make for good fun hearing some of those stories.

Liz you look a bit lonely in the kitchen, I trust others join in too!

Well things are close and we will keep monitoring your progress on the steam driven system here!

Take care all and grasp that lead!

PS. Neil: Jessica wants to know what weekends in July will Lauren and you be available for the Swedish BBQ?

8. Lucy, london 04 February 2008

Keep sailing hard...!! Good luck getting up he leader board. We are all watching with interest!! Chase that Orange & black boats…

9. Jacqui Stewart, Cape Town 07 February 2008

Hi Neil
Looking forward to seeing Durban2010 making a rush for the finish again - No 1 is good! Need to see a little more of your scribing skills on the blog! Greetings from Durbs (Sarah) and Cape Town (me)

Sail well and safely

Love

Jacqui

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