Crew Blog

Crazy hair day

05 October 2007

The Black Pearl is back and hunting down the fleet! After what seemed like an eternity, but was actually two or three days stuck in the parking lot called the Canaries, the wind finally decided to put in an appearance. As a parting shot, the island of Gran Canaria, whose shore lights had been tantalisingly close for the last two nights, produced a single black rain cloud right over the top of the Black Pearl. The sudden deluge of rain saw everyone scurry below decks for wet weather gear, except for Konrad and Andrew who fetched the shampoo for an impromptu and serendipitous hair wash. Mid-shampoo was interrupted by some frantic short-handed tacking as the fickle breeze repeatedly back and forth under the cloud.

We had been drifting around within a mile or two of both Hull & Humber and Western Australia for the last day, but the reappearance of wind saw Glasgow Clipper simply turn on the afterburners and leave them both for dead. Every sched saw an increasing gap on the boats behind and two days later we overtook Jamaica to move back into third place and start the hunt to chase down Nova Scotia and Durban who had escaped the pack by sneaking outside the Canaries.

Life on board has now settled firmly into a downwind routine, broad reaching under kite in 15-20 knots of wind for the last two days. Our medium-weight kite Sugar Ray has done ten rounds then stayed in the ring for another ten and another ten, showing amazing stamina and strength to pull us up through the fleet. Gorgeous Gordon and Delectable Drew excelled themselves on mother watch, producing some excellent scran and the boat is humming (not literally as the fine weather has given everyone the opportunity to do some washing at last!) so morale is on top of the world.

The crew might all be starting to go slightly stir crazy however. The night time conversation on deck has taken a very strange turn with an ad-libbed edition of I’m sorry I Haven’t a Clue being enacted. Humphrey Littleton is of course in the chair as usual but Sven is feeling seasick so we have the delectable Samantha sitting on Humphrey’s right hand instead. The guest list for the Ocean Racer’s Ball includes Colin’s friends from Nigeria Mr and Mrs Grinder and their son Kofi Grinder, Andrew’s friends from Essex Mr and Mrs Lalyard and their daughter Stacey Lalyard, plus many other wonderful people. A game of Mornington Crescent finishes the program, played according to the Knox-Johnston convention of course. This morning saw what started out as a fifties hair day with the girls in topknots and Alice bands turned into a surreal crazy hair day with everyone sporting weird hairstyles, bandannas and liberal application of face and body paints. The girls could all have auditioned for Grease, Drew was the spitting image of Mark Knopfler, and Dafydd could not be serious as John McEnroe. Top prize had to go to Paul however, as Colonel Gaddafi himself joined the crew. What a wonderful thing life is – rock on ocean racing!

Andrew Sheppard
The Black Pearl - Glasgow : Scotland with Style Clipper

1. pam moore, Liverpool 05 October 2007

well what can i say,what a pretty sight,its nice to know every one enjoying them self.
Good Luck with the race
pam moore Liverpool

2. Paul H, Dollar 05 October 2007

Delectable Drew, Excelled himself on Mother Watch?!! (I assume that is Mclaran we’re talking about hear, as opposed to Andrew the hair stylist)
Well well, sounds like that’s farming over for good now, a stay at home “mother” cooking and house cleaning for the family!! I don’t think so.
Anyway Drew well done so far (dig the war paint on the chest), keep it going as H&H;are close behind.
Good luck to all the crew and fast sailing to Salvador.
Paul & Lesley

3. Russell Toney, Solihull 05 October 2007

Well, Ahoy there me hearties. You all looky mighty fine in that there pic. Its good to see the fun is still washin over the decks! Well you’re in a good third place at the moment but the question is .....do you go East or do you go West?.... Hannah we are taking bets right now!!!!

Come on ‘The Black Pearl’ aka Glasgow...you’re the fastest out there....its just a question of time.

Keep it up! (the kite i mean)

From Russ, Mich and Becky

4. Jamie Standring, Detroit, MI, USA 05 October 2007

Avast ye all. .if real pirates ye be, then we ‘spect to see a wee Scottish boarding party plunderin’ that Springbok ship afore too longe!!

5. Brandi Soldo, Pinckney, MI 06 October 2007

Excellent pull, Glasgow! Keep cutting those wave timbers like Grease Lightning, keep up your top-knot spirits like Sandra Dee, the soda shop’s just around the next island. Ahmuh, u look about to loose your cookies on those spiffy yellows, mate. =) Roll on! xx
Brandi Soldo, Pinckney, Michigan

6. Holly Sheppard, Brighton, England 06 October 2007

Thanks for the update, pleased to hear you’ve found a balance between work and play! And dad, I knew the bandana would come in handy…
Safe sailing,
Hols

7. Gary Maitland Kidder, Chino Hills, California 06 October 2007

Liza Moran
On Glascow: Scotland with style.
Good Luck in your endeavors. I am a cousin of your’s thru the Baird family. I belong to a sailing family here in Southern California. I have found you through Bob Sanderson, of Des Moines, Iowa. Liza, I wish you the best of luck. My sister Karen Campbell, who is here is California, is into sailing in a big way and is quite prominent here in Southern California’s sailing community. Wishing you the best.

Gary Maitland Kidder, California.

8. Enrico Cabrini, Manchester, England 06 October 2007

Great to see that you are doing well… and enjoing yourself!
Safe sailing and good luck to all the team.
Enrico

9. martyn o'reilly, carrbridge/poland 07 October 2007

greetings fellow crew members . I have good news and bad news . I am taking part in the World Porridge making championships in Carrbridge in order to perfect my poridge making for my Mother duties in Leg 5. The good news is that I will have lots of porridge recipies to try out. The bad news is - that’s all your going to get!! Well done for keeping a fantastic podium place going. With you in spirit
Regards to you all , Martyn

10. Sam and the Thursday Night Crew, Auchterarder Scotland 07 October 2007

Great to see Glasgow in third position again, we see Andrew (Drew) is keeping everybody fed and entertained. We hope he is still able to look after the sheep(onboard and on his return)
All the best

11. barbara & Jon, aberaeron 07 October 2007

well done glasgow, love the hair Dafs, another podium coming your way, keep it up, xx

12. hattie armer, Barnsley 07 October 2007

Hi daddy

we’ve seen your silly hair day picture theres no hiding anything from us ha ha!!!!we are all
really missing you very much and look at your website everyday .Hope your old thumb is a-ok.love beth xxxxxx

hallo daddy

I hope youre having a nice time on the boat and I wish you luck. I hope you win the race as you are my very special pirate. I love you so much like you love me. xxxxxxxxxxx hattiexxx

13. tony & norma reynolds, south wales 08 October 2007

keep up the hard work you pirates,i know its going to get hotter if thats possible ,but if the BLACK PEARL can’t excell in hell who can? wishing a good last quarter to the race, just think of beer, showers , and steaks in that order,should be all the motovation you need to arm your cannons !! take no prisoners , all i.s fair in love and war .safe and fast sailing to you all, tony & norma .

14. Steve Howard, Cheshire 08 October 2007

..... good to see morale on board is good and that you are holding on well to a deserved 3rd place

I must say well done to Hannah for her successful skippering todate, for gods sake girl I am just looking at the photo, take back the helm, do you know you there is a guy in control who wears makeup !

My god, what is the world coming to ....... makeup, bandanas, yellow crocs, ‘Mr Muscle’ clingy tops !!!! (hello sailor !) ...... I feel a rendezvous with Mr Cole down ‘Canal Street’ when he returns (lol)

Fab piccie guys and gals ...... you look like you are having a ball !, certainly put a smile on my face this Monday morning in Blighty

Good look on the remainder of your passage ..... safe sailing and fingers for you to either maintain or better your position

Steve

15. Steve Howard, Cheshire 08 October 2007

..... good to see morale on board is good and that you are holding on well to a deserved 3rd place

Fab piccie guys and gals ...... you look like you are having a ball !, certainly put a smile on my face this Monday morning in Blighty

Good look on the remainder of your passage ..... safe sailing and fingers crossed for you to either maintain or better your position

Steve

16. philip white, stafford 08 October 2007

Well done my mate paul for not falling into the sea (YET) I see you’re dressed like normal,
Good luck on the remainder of your passage. and if the wind drops, get those really big feet of yours in the water and start kicking.
will be keeping a check on how your doing. and we all hope to hear your in the lead very soon.

Good luck to you and all of the crew,

17. Sam & Gerry, Newport, S.Wales, UK 08 October 2007

Fab piccies everyone.. you really look like you’re having fun !!! Well done to Hannah for her skippering to date. Girl power rules!!! Looks like its really hot but just think of the long shower you can have when you reach port. What an incentive. Siany, remember to take a photo of your “ocean hair” as Gerry reckons you must have your straighteners hidden somewhere. Be safe and we are crossing our fingers for you all

Sam and Gerry

18. Robert Sanderson, West Des Moines, Iowa USA 09 October 2007

Now that GLASGOW has proper running room in the middle of the Atlantic you all can stop playing around with Number 1 and Number 2 and change places with them both. Way to go Liza Moran......give it the ole Lochgilphead try and GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY SAILING....ON TO FIRST PLACE !!!!

Bob Sanderson, West Des Moines, Iowa USA

19. Jennifer Thomson, Glasgow 09 October 2007

Hello all

Liza Moran - you must have been instrumental in getting everyone looking stylish and glam for your crew photo?!!

Been keeping a close eye on progress, you guys are doing a grand job!
Keep up the good work, lots of happy sailing thoughts coming your way.
Much love
Jennifer

20. Jenny McLaren, Glasgow 09 October 2007

Hello to all you lovely Glasgow lads and lassies,

Glad to see you’re doing so well! Keep it up! Another podium finish looms!

Popsickle - hope you’re still enjoying it and KEEP AWAY FROM THE FACE PAINTS - it’s not clever and it’s certainly not pretty! Bottle of Highland Park 18yo waiting for you at home!

Keep up the hard work and all the best for the next week or so! xx

21. Colin Pelton, Sunny Southampton Docks 09 October 2007

Hi Mr Sherriff - love the crew photo - presume it’s you at the back checking the sat system’s still working? Looks pretty rugged out there so don’t let the loose washing on the rails slow you down - if you trim those underpants you can make another half knot. We’re all thinking of you - good luck overhauling the other 2 boats. P.S. shame about the rugby.

22. Ros, Euan & Gemma, Edinburgh 09 October 2007

Hey Gorgeous Gordy! Glad to hear your culinary skills are improving; dinner parties will be a skoosh from now on - I’ll be in charge of the drinks! Glasgow’s doing great & we’re all with you every leg of the way. We love you and miss you. Ros, Euan & Gemma xxx
ps Is the hair growing yet?!

23. catriona sheppard, The mad house/braddocks 10 October 2007

Hope everything is going well and i love the yellow crocs!Missing you lots but its fun looking you up on the blog!
Lots of love
Catriona the super niece

24. Stuart Mollard, Cardiff, Wales 11 October 2007

Crew looking good and happy. Can you let Andy Cole off asap; there’s a job waiting for him at Norwich City (yellow crocs a definite advantage)

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