Crew Blog

Looking foward to Hawaii

16 March 2008

Glasgow's team mascot anticpates arrival in Hawaii

When we left Qingdao just over 3 weeks ago little did we think the race would unexpectedly end with a 5 day sunshine cruise. It has taken some effort, but we are getting used to the switch in pace, lots of sleep & sunbathing on the rail. So we thought we would fill everyone in on the content of our days. Despite cruising, we do have daily tasks. We maintain a 24 hour, 2 hour watch system with each of us being on roughly twice a day. We are working through the various repair and maintenance jobs, which we are able to get done on board, rather than in port such as fixing the numerous small holes in the sails and general cleaning and tidying.

Apart from our duties we are busying ourselves with sunbathing, or rather burning for the new arrivals, reading, playing cards and daydreaming about what we are going to eat and drink when we arrive. Currently it’s a big juicy steak and a pint for the boys, dry white wine and salad for the girls (it won’t be hard to please us!). All we need to top it off is some whale or dolphin sightings. Evening times turn into DVD nights courtesy of Dafydd’s projector and Hannah’s laptop. Unfortunately due to engine noise we can’t hear any sound, but subtitles are doing the job perfectly. It’s a hard life this ocean racing.

Today, still in cruise mode, we have taken a small backward diversion to rendez-vous with Durban 2010 and Beyond to do a fuel transfer. We have put up our small Yankee 3 sail and switched the engine off which is providing welcome relief from the boat slamming upwind! We are busy making up a chocolate cake for their crew and we are digging out what treats we can offer to brighten up their day.

Despite enjoying the cruising, everyone is getting excited about arriving in Hawaii, none more so than our boat mascot Barley, who as you can see is now fully prepped to hit the surf…clearly we have too much time on our hands!

We look forward to the fleet arriving safely in Hawaii and racing re-commencing as soon as possible.

Stuart & Nicola

1. paul murphy, hoylake 17 March 2008

AHH its a lovely picture you paint - enjoy the well earned break and happy St Patricks day -

2. Fraser Brunton, Calgary, Canada 17 March 2008

It sounds chust sublime! Macphail’s engine providing plenty speed for the finest puffer on the pacific. You’ll all be ready for some well earned hi-jinks come port, Para Handy would be fair chuffed with your efforts. You’ll rival the Vital Spark yet!

Surf’s up,
Fraser and Mandy

3. Erica Revie, Edinburgh 17 March 2008

Well done on another podium position! Glad to hear you guys are getting a chance to relax and get most of the chores done before arriving in port. Hope you have a great stopover, and can offer some moral support to our friends on Durban and WA.

I’m nervously awaiting a report on whether Barley can stand up OK on his surfboard with one leg longer than the other…

4. Dee & Nick Sawyer, Aberaeron, West Wales 18 March 2008

Chocolate cake making and DVD watching!!
Talk about a life on the ocean waves, sounds more like a Thompson Cruise to us !!
Enjoy it all while you can, and now you have tea it is a luxury cruise!
AYC went wild on Sat Dafydd. I think there were a few sore heads!! Everyone sends their best.
Dee & Nick

5. Brandi Soldo, Pinckney, MI 20 March 2008

But where’s Dougie?! Haf y’all seen im since you landed? Accustomed to mast repairs, he’s probably perched high up on a coconut with several bottles quicklashed to his waist, heckling the birthday shadow creeping up the Hawaiian sands at him.

Happy Birthday, Ahmuh, ye ol’ dog!! You’ve done it right and landed on the best spot in the world to celebrate, both your rings (no comments from Fernale) and your hardearned Third.

Wish we could be there to hoist a few with you. We miss you! hugs and kisses
Brandi et al

6. Bruce and Jackie Smith, Glasgow 21 March 2008

Nicola,Thanks for phoning this morning Good Friday.
Hope you all enjoy your extended stay in Hawaii.
Barley Benromach certainly looks a surf dude.
Next leg will be interesting as boats reshuffle and rigs are sorted out

Good luck. Glasgow is gonna win! Just do it and remember Glasgow smiles better!!

7. Big Pink, Nicola's Room, Glasgow 23 March 2008

My heart sank when I logged on today and saw that my mother has turned her attentions to some new and unknown teddy bear. Hula skirt and surf board...I ask you. Despite years of loyalty to her, the best I got was being hoisted up the mast. Myself and Racoon both agree that she is a fair weather friend and secretly hope that Barley gets eaten by sharks. Big Pink

8. Fraser, New York 24 March 2008

Hey guys - well done on another top position. Clare - hope all is good and you are having an awesome time. Hope you are not too burnt.

Cheers Fraz

9. hugh stirling, oahu hawaii. 30 March 2008

Aloha and welcome to the Gathering place. (oahu Hawaii) I am from Glasgow. and have been looking forward to your arrival here in Hawaii to-morrow I will be going down to Magic Island to take some snapshots of the boats. I’ll bring you guys some real teabags I had sent out from Glasgow, Aloha for now.

10. barbara & Jon, aberaeron 31 March 2008

Glad to hear from Linos you’re enjoying well deserved rest, the sunshine must feel great,
we’ve only got wind and rain here, enjoy your next leg, and good luck Dafs, and the Glasgow crew!!!

Barbara & Jon

11. Fraser, USA 01 April 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARE for the 29th- hope you get this - FRAZ

12. martyn o'reilly, carrbridge 04 April 2008

Dear ‘Pirates of Portobello on the Black Peril’
I am here in the wet and snowy Highlands waiting to hear about your arrival date in SF . Meanwhile if any of you need ‘emergency supplies’ like Marmite, Jelly Babies , marmalade, powder Iron Bru or any other totally essential necessities, then please send a shopping list and I will try my best to get them for you ( as long as it is a legal substance!)See you soon
regards
Martyn
(i note nothing of interest has happened on the Peril since you last blog of 16th march?!!)

13. Chris Goodfellow, Burnham 05 April 2008

Hannah,good luck on your start and trip to Vera Cruz. This is where you capitalise on keeping your stick up! Is it speed off to the south and then stay north for the wind along the coast?
Best wishes
Chris G

14. Brian & Dru Draper, Peterborough UK 07 April 2008

Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing,
onward to Santa Cruz ........ You’ve got off to a good start so keep up the good work and hang on to that lead. Stay safe.

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