Crew Blog

Life On Board the Glasgow Sauna

12 January 2008

Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper's Steve Ballantyne

We all love the “Black Pearl” and think her black hull is classy, distinctive and memorable. However, in 40+ degrees of bright sunshine, floating on a warm sea of 33 degrees she becomes a sponge – a heat sponge. This can make life below deck a tad uncomfortable.

We now have a permanent Sauna effect that varies only slightly in temperature throughout the day. You can virtually feel the heat creep up your leg as you step down the companionway to go below deck. It’s like dipping your leg in a warm bath – in more ways than one. As you drop down the hatch every pore in your body gushes open and you are soaked, head to toe, before you can walk 5 feet.

It gets more interesting with a few more variables added:-

· Everyone is fully creamed up to prevent sunburn. It is therefore more of a greasy slime sliding down ones body than plain old sweat.
· It’s now been 12 days at sea and, apart from the odd rain squall shower, bathing consists of a “wipe down” with baby wipes. At least everyone tends to smell the same!
· Getting to sleep can be fun. Just when your body is becoming acclimatised to the heat the second any part of your body touches something it starts to sweat more profusely. By morning your nice fluffy pillow is a lumpy smelly mass of congealed feathers

So, where is the fun in this ocean racing lark you may ask?

There are some compensations.

At the end of the day on a night-time watch it’s a blessing to be on deck, underneath the stars and out of the heat for 4 hours – sheer bliss!
The Southern constellations are within a massive array of bright stars with the Milky Way clearly visible, loads of shooting stars and whizzing satellites zooming past. You cannot fail to relax, reflect on life in general, and find comfort in the vastness you are witnessing – it is truly, truly awesome.

Steve (sticky) Ballantyne

1. Dipxy, Dumfriesshire 13 January 2008

Steve, thanks for the blog and glad you ended on a positive note - was beginning to think you had regrets! How can anyone regret the experience of sailing and representing the most classy of Clippers the ‘Black Pearl’. She’s a delight and has given the Home Guard some great excitement in the knowledge that there is more to come. Sure it’s a wee bit uncomfy but what a way to go. Take care, sit back and enjoy the memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience, mesmerise at the sights, think of those pub stories you’ll tell when you get home!!! And who can doubt them ... only another member of your elite community of Clipper Explorers! Stop moaning and think of us Scots suffering in cold, wintry conditions ... we can’t sleep under the stars! Well, not if we don’t want hypothermia.

Best wishes
x

2. Emma's Dad, Sussex By The Sea 13 January 2008

We can feel your spirit from here Glasgow, fantastic resolve and gritty stamina. Keep it up, you’re reeling them in! Nick & Chris X

3. Brian & Dru, Peterborough 13 January 2008

Not many more sticky days left!! Keep up the pressure - you could still make that podium..
just think of the luxury of a shower or bath and that’ll put a bit more wind in your sails.
Well done.

4. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 14 January 2008

Great work Glasgow - this morning’s report puts you a place closer to the podium. Points mean prizes ...

Go Glasgow!

5. Alasdair, Linlithgow, West Lothian 14 January 2008

Hey Steve, You might try to look like you are enjoying it, at least Pirate Ted is smiling. After all that contemplation under the stars I thought youd have some Zen aura about you. To all on board, keep up the good work and grab third spot. I have a glass of Benromach on ice waiting to celebrate a podium for the Black Pearl.

All the best

Alasadair

6. Lilburn, Northampton 14 January 2008

Go Glasgow go! - you are all doing so well. Just keep on going, sneaking up behind them and before they know it you’ll be in there with another podium place. Love to Greybeard from Helen and Johnny

7. Douglas Bell, Edinburgh 14 January 2008

Keep it up, Black Pearl, you are giving us lots of cause for optimism that you can overtake Hull and Humber for another podium position. Your latest blog about B;ack Pearl as a floating sponge is nothing if not aptly descriptive of your conditions-but nothing that a few days in Raffles can’t make better . No slacking-just go for it! Whatever the outcome, you are a fantastic crew and deserve the best.

8. Lorna & Jon Darke, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan 14 January 2008

Hannah and crew - WOW! Keep on doing whatever it is you are doing - moved up two places and now in third - just a few miles between you and second place! Really exiting this end - stay focused - only a few more hours to go - think of a nice shower and cold beers - if anyone can do this its you! GO FOR IT BLACK PEARL!!!

9. D Draper, Cambridgeshire 14 January 2008

Come on Glasgow, only a few miles separating you from Liverpool. Show them what the Scots are made of - you can do it…

10. alison and calum, auchterarder 14 January 2008

Go go go Black Pearl - it’s a white knuckle ride even here on the sofa! We are willing you to pull this off - brilliant catch up - keep it up - you are almost there!
ps - which one’s the teddy bear?

11. Rock Family, Sydney, NSW 14 January 2008

Go Sponge Go!!! Loved the photo of you Baby Face - hope the race has lived up to your expectations! Can’t begin to imagine how you are all coping with the conditions on-board. Having had the privilege of a tour of the Black Pearl, courtesy of Gorgeous Gordie, we can all appreciate what you’re having to cope with. Thank goodness for all those packets of baby wipes we witnessed - hopefully they haven’t run out! You’re on the final push, so give it all you’ve got and get past H&H;- cold beers will be awaiting you - your first alcoholic beverages of 2008.

C’MON!!!

All the best to you all, especially GG.

The Rocks xxxx

12. Dee & Nick Sawyer, Aberaeron, West Wales 15 January 2008

Splice the main brace!, shiver me timbers! what a close race. Glad to see you safely in port. So Durban maintain their lead...... just watched you virtually cross the line at 23.34hrs. Make sure you stock up on beansprouts for the next leg - for that little extra wind...... Try the Voodoo bar on Clarke Quay (for some tips on defeating opponents!!) while you are in “Singers” and crack some peanuts at Raffles.

At least you have maintained the Status Quo and still overall second.

Love from all at AYC
Nick and Dee

13. Lorna & Jon Darke, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan 15 January 2008

Hannah and crew - well done - not exactly the result we were expecting but hey - anyone can make a mistake especially under pressure, tired and racing hard. A really exciting race this end and you gave it your all - that’s what it is all about and at least everyone is safe which is the main thing - no point in beating yourselves up about it, just enjoy the hospitality and cold beers, showers and proper beds and then its onwards and upwards for the Black Pearl - still a long way to go and more races to be won!!
Enjoy yourselves in Singapore, rest and relax in readiness for the next race.
Congratulations and best wishes to you all.

14. Clive, Princeton Junction, NJ 17 January 2008

Well done Glasgow on your finish in Singapore. Looked like a hot and sultry leg from Freemantle in the “Black Pearl”, but never mind, it still looks great !

Still a long way to go so keep up the great work and can not wait to see everyone in NYC.

15. Martin, Glasgow 17 January 2008

Well done to the Glasgow Boat on your efforts so far from all in Deloitte Glasgow Tax. Lets see you regain the No.1 spot with the next leg.

Neil, hope you’re well - gone but not forgotten this time !

16. Jeanette Forrester, Hereford 19 January 2008

Hi Steve - sweaty ‘n sticky but still suave ‘n swinging - great to read your blog - I’ve a feeling my Clipper refresher weekend on the 60s in Feb in the Solent will be very different! Congratulations to all the crew on a great race into Singapore. Get your kilts on and enjoy the well deserved R+R. Jeanette

17. Emma's Dad, Sunny Sussex 26 January 2008

Hope you have all recovered from Burns Night. Have a brilliant race to China. Clipper Shirts have been washed and are back on! Fair winds and Following Seas. Dad & Chris X

18. Liza Moran, glasgow 26 January 2008

Hello Steve and all on Glasgow! your doing a grand job and keeping an eye on your progress, v proud. hope you are having a blast in signapore. big weegie hugs and kisses. Liza (leg one)

19. Michael Daw, Cumbernauld 29 January 2008

With Robin Brunton on board the ship will be in good hands. He’s better with the sails than he is with the golf clubs. Everyone is doing great and the ship is beautiful. Everyone here is supporting you all, keep going and good luck.

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