Crew Blog

Life on board Glasgow at Christmas

11 December 2007

Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper is followed by a killer whale

We are finally moving again after being stuck in another wind hole for the last 24 hours. Hopefully we have narrowed the cause down to either Erica’s dry shampoo or Doug’s deodorant acting as a wind repellent! Our ETA today is back to December, which has boosted morale as yesterday it was the 15th of February 2010 and we were heading back to Durban!

As Christmas approaches and even though we will be spending it in the Australian sun the festive spirit is very much alive on board Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper. With daily carol singing practice (Neeps Watch) some of the locals got up at 5am to listen in (see photo). Two curious killer whales followed Glasgow for about half an hour before they couldn’t stand it anymore.

Below is the Glasgow Clipper Christmas Carol so you can all sing along at home (Tune of Good King Wenceslas)

Captain Jenner last walked out on the deck of Glasgow Where the crew sat all about waiting for the sched show. Brightly shone the moon that night cross the Southern Ocean, Dougie trimming on the kite covered in sun tan loooootion

The crew is split in to two teams, they call us neeps and tatties. We’ve been eating too much tuck and we’re all becoming fatties. Wind holes, dolphins, killer whales all part of ocean racing. But the best part of the race right now is we are north east faaaaacing

We have to helm, we have to grind, we have to clean the bilges. Victualling’s the name of the game unless you want just pilchards. Speed over ground well that’s just sound, but don’t forget to stee-er It won’t be long before we’re on the beach drinking Australian bee-eeer.

(Written by Mick & Richard)

1. Rebecca Cole, Worcester 11 December 2007

Excellent carol!! I prefer it to the original. On the home stretch now - go catch Durban and bring my husband home safe please.
xxx

2. James Dorothy and Alison, Coleraine N.Ireland 11 December 2007

Hannah and crew

Go glasgow Go, Keep up the good work you’ll soon be in Freo(before Santa arrives)
Sail fast and keep safe. the Black Pearl can do it.(don’t give up) Remember “It’s not over till the fat lady sings”.The killer whales look amazing, enjoyed your blog.
Best wished to all and love to Lisa. xxx

3. gemma sawyer, penarth, Cardiff 11 December 2007

Go hannah and crew not long now till you can chill with a beer in Freo, lovin the killer whales, big hugs gem.x

4. Siany Reynolds, at home looking at the sea! 11 December 2007

the whale looks AMAZING! keep up the great work guys. Fab carol!! x x

5. Colin Dymond, WA 11 December 2007

hey hannah , if you have any thoughts or needs when in freo, i understand some of your old students will be down to welcome you in and be at your service, take care sail fast

6. Joe McIlwaine (Glasgow leg 4), At Work!!! 12 December 2007

Hi Glasgow i was really looking forward to coming out but that last carol on the blog is making me change my mind.... no wonder the killers were following you ... probably thought your singing was something in distress....
would we have got penalised for lassooing them!!!…
do you think the other boats have just put a spurt on to get away from the singing???

Great to hear your spirits are still very high… keep up the hard work andother podium is stll available… the skill and determination is there we just need that little bit of luck..

Go Glasgow… Go Glasgow… Go Glasgow… Go Glasgow… Go Glasgow… Go Glasgow…

7. Helen Dingley, Gargunnock, Stirling 12 December 2007

Fab carol guys, glad to hear you are all having fun and that you are managing to find the wind. Only a few days to go so keep at it and get another podium position. Hope the boot sharing is going well Dave and looking forward to catching up with you. Best wishes to all the crew. Love Helen and family xx

8. Angus Armstrong, Glasgow 12 December 2007

Hello Glasgow - what a turbulent time you’ve been having of late...... but it’s kept the Glasgow Evening Times in print over the last few weeks and we’re following all the ups and downs closely!
Safe sailing and hope you speed on down to Fremantle soon!
Lisa D - there’ll be one big part of Christmas/New Year in Glasgow missing this year! We’re thinking of you and look forward to speaking once you’ve reached land again.
Take Care
A&E;x

9. Anthony Pimm, Nearly back in the UK!! 12 December 2007

Siany, keep it going old girl!! Hope your still enjoying your experience. I am nearly back in the UK, we have only got another week or so left at sea, unfortunately the Caribbean tan is fading fast!!. Enjoy your next stop and I look forward to having a few beers with you when you get back. All the lads on the ship wish you the best, George Thompson says hi.
Pimms x

10. francis Murphy, hoylake 12 December 2007

Hanna No wonder that killer whale is following u - he`s about your MOB and is after a Take Away.

11. Jamie & Laurie, Michigan, USA 13 December 2007

L: GREAT Carol...apparently that’s how you’ve been spending all your time, Dougie--sing-songing, playing with the whales...what the HECK are you doing out there?!? You’ve got a race to win!! (Jamie told me you guys weren’t equipped with cannons, unfortunately, so...get your skinny butt in gear!) On a more positive note, I’m sure all the Aussie girls will be glad you’re gonna be “down under,” so to speak!

J:Hey bud! You can ignore the wife. She’s been at the bottle again.

12. Val Aikman, Langbank, Scotland 13 December 2007

Can’t believe Erica is using dry shampoo!! Keep on trucking guys you are doing Glasgow proud. Safe passage not long to go.

13. Dee & Nick Sawyer, Aberaeron, West Wales 13 December 2007

Keep singing the carols Glasgow but don’t forget to keep sailing. Only 500 miles to go!!!
I feel a song coming on !!!
Oh I would sail 500 miles, Oh I would sail 500 more, Oh I would sail 500 miles to be the boat to get a score!!! etc etc......
We have such a beautiful crisp December day here in Aberaeron today with a flat calm sea and blue skies.
Keep going you all.
Dee & Nick

14. Lilburn, Northampton 13 December 2007

Hi Gordon and Glasgow crew. You are all doing so well and not far to go now to get the tinnies. We hear the whales are getting up a petition though to stop the singing. Is this your way of generating more hot air? ! Whatever it takes guys and gals - Go Glasgow Go!
Helen and Johnny

15. Lorna & Jon Darke, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan 13 December 2007

Hannah and crew - great photo and carol - what a sight the whales must have been. Time to pull the stops out now and chase down those leaders - the black pearl has a reputation to keep up as in a podium position! Sail fast (very) and safe as always.
Lorna & Jon

16. Nicola Torrens, London/Northern Ireland 13 December 2007

hi Lisa, I can’t believe how well you are doing - incredibly impressed. Glad to hear you are all getting in the Christmas spirit. Take care of yourself - missing you loads. Love Nic

17. Brian & Dru, Peterborough 13 December 2007

Our cricketers lost last year when we were in Melbourne and this year you’ve let the Aussies get ahead - what were you thinking of!!! Seriously, you’re doing well, so safe sailing and enjoy Christmas in the sunshine. It’s jolly cold here - frost hasn’t lifted from the garden all day, so we quite envy you. Love to Lisa D.

18. Caroline Fitzpatrick, Dornoch 13 December 2007

Come on Glasgow - you’re moving on up and not far to go - you can get on that podium again and keep in the overall lead. Super photo and great carol. Keep safe.

19. The Hinde Family, HAddington, Scotland 13 December 2007

Hi there everyone.
You are a long way from my old sailing ground in the west coast.
However, just love to catch up with your news and loved the Carol. Have made a few songs up whilst sailing in the past.
Message for Gavin - well done, family will now be winging their way to Perth. Have a wonderful Christmas and a well-earned break thereafter. With love from the Hindes.

20. Chris Goodfellow, Burnham 13 December 2007

There’s an old east coast saying “keep up mate”.I know you are a west coast boat approaching the west coast, but everything is upside down down there plus the locals are definitely doing it. Best of luck for the final approaches and your still doing well overall, just find that final spurt!
Regards
Chris Goodfellow

21. Neil Fletcher, Amsterdam 14 December 2007

Hi Lisa and the rest of the Glasgow crew,
All the best for the sprint into Oz.
I love the Christmas carol. Could I request a version of Silient Night next with references to a bulging Kite!?? Maybe it is best if I leave it to the professional carol writers onboard Glasgow. Take care. Neil, Cass and Maddy.

22. Siany Reynolds, at home looking at the sea! 14 December 2007

beautiful beautiful black pearl. Keep up the fab work. Freo, father christmas, beer, the beach, sun and a fresh shower await you. One last push and your there. Great job well done. Gutted for me but so proud of you. Go for it guys & enjoy the xmas carols. Big hug for Han, Lisa, weeeee Sue, Bach drewg (aka dafydd!) x x x

23. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 15 December 2007

You are taking big bites out of Nova Scotia at the moment - I’m hoping that you have time to make it past them before the finish.

Great racing - Go Glasgow!

24. Chris Goodfellow, Burnham 15 December 2007

See you’re keeping up well and only 3 miles behind Nova S, watch out for the headers and freers plus convergence this afternoon and night. Nearlythere!
Regards
Chris Goodfellow

25. Anne and Bill, Oban 15 December 2007

Wishing all the crew, and Sue in particular, a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We watch your progress with interest. Just love the watch names!

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