Crew Blog

Boat maintenance

12 May 2008

Rebranding the main on Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper

This morning we awoke to see land for the first time in nearly 3 weeks and the radio picked up the local Costa Rican station getting us all in the mood for arriving on shore in Panama in a few days time. It’s Daf’s birthday today and Han is busy in the galley rustling up a cake for later!

The last few days have centred on getting all the boat maintenance done whilst on the move so we have less to do when we get ashore. We have even managed to completely rebrand our mainsail, a job which took several days in extremely hot conditions with millions of letters to go on and many people regularly shouting ‘ that doesn’t look straight!’…there was definitely a sigh of relief when that task was completed.

On the wildlife front, the lesser spotted Brown Booby is refusing to leave the boat and as it approached dusk every evening it ruffles up its feathers and settles in for the night on top of the mast.. and the windex! Poor Greg has been re-sent up the mast on numerous occasions and where he used to go up unaided and shout at it, he now goes up prepared with a long handled stiff brush and an empty fairy liquid bottle filled with water to squirt at it…usually after we get him down from this exercise the Booby returns to its spot within 5 minutes, but the amusement factor of Greg trying to get rid of it is well worth it.

The weather is continuing to heat up and sleeping down below is becoming rather difficult. As we get further south we are encountering the squally rain clouds that we last had crossing the equator. There is an on mass run on deck when the rain starts and shampoo and shower gel appear from everywhere in a frantic bid to get all the suds on and washed off before the rain stops!

Lisa, onboard The Black Pearl

1. Jon & Lorna Darke, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan 21 May 2008

Hi Hannah and crew of Black Pearl - Don’t think that there will be time for a shampoo and shower in this race - so far seems very fast and furious! Over halfway already and you’re sitting 3rd this morning but with only a few nmiles between you and the leader. As we all know anything can happen but it’s really time you had a first for all your hard work and effort. So come on Glasgow - pull out all the stops and GO GLASGOW GO! We all know you can do it!
Lorna & Jon

2. sian reynolds, Bristol - where its actually quite warm today!! 21 May 2008

Oh my life Lisa!!! The main sail re - branding brings back memories of Salvador! Penblydd Happus i ti Penblydd Happus i ti, Penblydd Happus i Daffydd, Penblydd Hapus i ti!! (thats happy birthday in welsh with appauling spelling for Dafydd) 21 again!! The tans are looking great!! Still think of you guys loads and willing you on all teh way. Unfortunatley i cant be in Cork- doing the Commodores Cup - but by hook or by crook ill try to be in liverpool to welcome you all home! What an adventure. Love to you all. Shiver me timbers shipmates! x x x

3. James &Dorothy;, Coleraine N.Ireland 21 May 2008

Hannah and Crew
Following your progress very closely, keep up the good work The Black Pearl can do it.
Go Glasgow Go. Sail fast and stay safe. Love to Lisa x x x

4. Mag Burgin, Stonehaven 21 May 2008

Dont know what is more exciting watching Champions league final or your results Mum and Stewart here with me and mum says go faster Gordie. Mum Stewart & Mags xx

5. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 22 May 2008

That short sharp dash was a bit breathless, it all looked very close. Great result! Another podium and an hour ahead of Durban so it’s excellent for your position in the overall table.

Some longer legs now, so maybe you can make some points on the guys ahead of you ...

Go Glasgow! Sail safe and fast.

6. Joe mac (Glasgow leg 4), Scotland-work ;-( 22 May 2008

Brilliant

Another podium and this secures 3rd overall in our own right, well done to you all, your making us all proud as we sit here at home glued to the screen.

Good to see you bck where you belong in the top three. Still oads to play for as there bags more points to be won.

Enjoy your stay in Jamaica you deserve the reward.

Jealous Joe

7. Elizabeth Coghill, Dornoch 22 May 2008

Well done Glasgow - keep up the good work. A podium place awaits you at Liverpool.
Safe home.

8. Lorna & Jon Darke, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan 22 May 2008

Hi Hannah and crew of Black Pearl - well, that was close - well done on your 3rd place. By our reckoning that puts you 3rd overall (and not joint 3rd!) Have a good rest, although you have not got too long, and away you go again!
Enjoy the stop over and fingers and toes crossed for the next race,
Lorna & Jon

9. Brian & Dru, Peterborough 22 May 2008

Thanks for the e-mail Lisa - it’s always good to hear the news. We have been without e-mail for a number of days so it was a nice surprise to see that you’d made podium place, so well done Skipper and crew.

Weather is hotting up here as well. We have just moved in to a one-bed flat with all our belongings, so we think we have some idea of how you must feel aboard the clipper - well just a tiny weeny idea!!

Take care and happy sailing…

10. sian reynolds, Bristol - where its actually quite warm today!! 23 May 2008

Back up on the Podium overall!!!!!!!!!! Well done guys! Come on NY & H&H;are there for the taking. Take no prisioners and go get ‘em! Loads of love and well done. Happy Bday Dafydd. x x

11. barbara & Jon, aberaeron 23 May 2008

well done glasgow and dafs, a great race!!

barbara & Jon

12. gareth a gwen, talybont 24 May 2008

congrats on your podium win. fair winds on the next leg.looking forward to see you all in the big apple.
cariad mam a dad

13. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 26 May 2008

I don’t think that you lot are racing at all, I think you are playing “after you, no after you”. What a difference 6 hours makes. At midnight you were last, although only 1 mile off the leader, this morning you are 2nd and not for off the leader with the field now stretching out for 3 miles.

Sail safe and fast. Go Glasgow!

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