Crew Blog

Parallel universe

04 May 2008

Hull & Humber's crew celebrate Rachel's birthday

What a difference a day makes!

The night before last we were speeding along under starry skies with dolphins cavorting in the bow waves and phosphorescence sparkling all around. Sitting on deck in shorts and tee shirts ( plus life jackets of course!) watching the moon rise, listening to the dolphins snort and fielding the odd flying fish which flipped onto deck… could life get much better than this?! This morning we came on deck for our 10am watch to find a sea eerily calm and as flat as if it had been ironed. No wind at all and as we sat along the guardrail, toes dangling watching the odd bubble floating by. Some of these bubbles have tails; they are jellyfish and more odd-looking varieties float along underneath the water. We could be the last people on earth! We try everything we can to get the boat moving, while the sun beats down and below decks we swelter and woolling spinnakers becomes a Turkish bath experience!

I felt well prepared for this adventure but the reality of Clipper racing is such a bizarre mix of change and contrast and nothing you imagined can match the reality. One minute it is a serious sailing academy with intense discussions about “angle” and tactics and the next minute we are in the middle of a zany disco cum fancy dress party (Rach’s birthday!!) complete with birthday cake (plus candles but they won’t stay alight!), presents, skilfully wrapped in tinfoil and spinnaker wool… even a special stripper-gram, courtesy of the Tag team!! It’s certainly a parallel universe and the strangest thing is that, for now at least I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.

Jay

1. wendy & bob douglas, hull 06 May 2008

COME ON YOU ‘ULL & HUMBER its great to see you in 1st place - we just know you can do it. Now to the serious stuff - Jamie wot would your nanna think if she knew you had been the resident stripogram - we’ll have to have serious words in Jamaica !!! Hope you enjoyed it anyway Rachel and happy birthday xx

2. Tims Mum, Tring 06 May 2008

Hang on in there - not far to go!! Fingers crossed you keep finding the wind. Good Luck as always.
Freda

3. Anne Streatfeild, Peru 06 May 2008

Happy Birthday Rach! Think I would rather be with you all too at this very moment in time, in 24 hours I�ll be starting my ascent of 4200mts and think I�ll probably be the only one sent back down on the 1st day!!
Well done all, still in the lead, so glad your� having a fab time Jay.
Anne xx

4. Rick, Grimsby 07 May 2008

Congratulations yet again to the world-beating Hull and Humber crew. Brilliant result achieved by a boat-full of brilliant people. Keep it up! Sibl

5. per lindwall, 07 May 2008

Hi Guys
Big hug to you Rach on your birthday, suppose you got a niddle and a piece of kite material for present . And last but not least Congratiolations to the VICTORY!!!!!!! Well done everybody to prove U&U;ability to handle not only strong winds but also almost no wind at all. Mr Navigators have once again proved that it gives more speed to sail around the windholes than through them. Take care and enjoy couple of days motoring!!
Per

6. Barry Sowersby, HULL 07 May 2008

Keep going Jamie, Sounds like you enjoying it mate. Dont forget that night out when you get back before nz

7. Brian Wilkinson, Boston Lincs. 07 May 2008

Well done again Hull & Humber you have done it again First place.
Pity the leg was shortened again you looked to be pulling out a bigger lead. Safe journey to Panama, looking forward to see you continue and get to Trinidad first again. Watch out for that west coast boat Liverpool 08 they are getting better.

Brian

8. Rod Murdoch, Lincoln 07 May 2008

Well done team! Another 1st place! Watching the race unfold is almost unbearable - but I’de rather be there with you! We hope to have as many of the H&H;crew in Cork to meet BOB in June - then on to Liverpool. Keep up the good sailing!
Rod

9. Terence Hayton, Pudsey England 08 May 2008

Well done to the crew of Hull and Humber, a wonderful effort. Best of good fortunes on the next leg.
Terence

10. Peter Byrne, 11 May 2008

Happy Birthday Rach!!

ee you soon.

Pete aka Budgie!

Page 1 of 1 pages