Crew Blog

Busy? What do you think?

08 January 2008

Jamaica's Tim Ruane - every bit the sailor

When you look at the little dot on your computer screen that is Jamaica, you could be forgiven for thinking we’d been having a jolly nice time just pootling along in the sunshine, watching the dolphins play around us. Mmm. Let me give you a little more detail…

Over the last 12 hours we have lowered the kite, put it up again, lowered the kite, put it up again, lowered the kite- wait for it- put up the yankee 2 and the staysail, lowered the yankee and put up the windseeker, dropped the staysail, lowered the windseeker and raised the yankee 1, then given up on the white sails and gone back to the kite again. Still think we’ve been doing nothing? Of course the dolphins showed up in the middle of all of this, and were totally ignored as we were all far too busy.

And it’s hot. ‘Damn hot’, I think you’ll find. The thermometer on Harry’s watch reckons it was 44C today. It certainly felt like it. It’s been one of those rare days when it was actually cooler in the galley than it was up on deck. At least the galley has some shelter from the sun and a fan. There is no shade to speak of on deck. There was a tiny patch from the radar at one stage, and a wee bit of shadow from the mainsail towards the end of the day. Queue the comedy hats. Tim takes first prize with his ‘sailor boy’ outfit…

The off-watch people have been trying anything to get some sleep. There are people lying under the fan in the saloon, sprawled on the sails under the open hatch or just braving their bunks. And anyone who has managed some sleep has woken up in a pool of their own sweat. Nice.

On the plus side, it has been very sociable on deck, as people are reluctant to venture into the sauna down below. There have been people queuing for buckets of water thrown over them, and Lisa has been helming with her feet in a bucket for most of the day. We were all wilting in the midday sun, but David summed it up beautifully with his comment: “Even Britney Spears couldn’t tempt me now. And I don’t even know who she is, but she must be good: everyone talks about her.”

It’s cooler now at last, and there is a faint possibility of getting some sleep, before coming back on watch at midnight. So I’ll just say ‘Happy Birthday’ to my brother, Neil, and sign off for the evening.

One love,
Claire

1. Dan from Devon, Clovelly, North Devon 08 January 2008

Hello Jamaica , Thanks for the graphic reports on a fustrating leg, gripping stuff, sounds unbearably hot. Here today looking out at the Atlantic it is blowing hard SW. 8/9 squally showers 5 degrees C. Back to work today, log fires and red wine at home but I would still like to be out there with you and the boat . Want to swap?
Good luck, Dan.

2. Duncan Bagshaw, Birmingham, UK 08 January 2008

Go Jamaica!

Cruisin’ past Qingdao, I see!

Good work and keep it up.

Irie.

Duncan B

3. tom williams, Milton Keynes 09 January 2008

David (DAD) - have you whipped out the “crack of dawn joke yet?” Now get back to work you lazy sod and stop checking your emails! have fun.

4. Dave Williams, Fremantle 09 January 2008

Message for Dave from Bess, Whats going on, time to buck up, I thouht you were going to make all the difference. Perhaps you are in the wrong dirrection! Looking forward to seeing the Jamaica sticker at the front of the fleet. Glad to hear you dont fancy Britney, what about me?Hope the snoring is under control. Everyone here is fine, missing you, keep your head down and your life jacket securely fastened. with love and hugs from us all xxxxxxxxxxxxx

5. Emma Appleby, London 09 January 2008

Please let Lisa know that I’m working at home with a blanket over my knees as its so cold here. Hope that makes her feel a bit better!

Good luck!
x

6. Wendy Mitchell, Midhurst, UK 09 January 2008

Enjoy the sunshine - there’s very little of it here!! I take it Freo was good Claire - wish we could have shown you the places to go.... but I’m sure you found them! Hope you’re making better progress now.... I think you’ve probably lulled the others into a false sense of security by now, so it’s time to GO! Big hugs, Wendyxx

7. Simon Lester, Jersey, UK 10 January 2008

Just logged on to check how my mate Harry Smith is doing, just one comment......get your butt into gear Harry and stop showing off with your watch! Hoping all those hours in the GYM are paying dividends!!!

Good luck to you all.

Simon L

8. Norman Brett, Killin. Scotland 10 January 2008

Heh Dave. Crack of Dawn cold, damp and a wee bit windy here in Scotland! Britney, naw not even before the buss pass. Keep that boat moving, good to see you have gone past Qingao. New year wishes to all aboard.

9. Ger Moran, Dublin , Ireland 10 January 2008

Message for Mick Moran - happy 25th birthday for Friday 11 - you’ll remember this birthday when you’re twice this age! I hope you get the day off and a big cake!!
Mam, Deirdre & Gerard

10. roy smith, sherington england 10 January 2008

Message for Dave Williams aboard Jamaica

DAVE......it isn’t that bad yet.....not the joke....anything but the joke!!!!!!!
Everyone here is pulling out their fingers for you......lets go Jamaica!!!!!!!

11. Jean Dimmock, Wolverhampton 10 January 2008

To Dave Williams

It’s good see that the spirit of Endeavour is alive and well on Jamaica, even though the name Britney Spears is a mystery to some old chap on board!! Stay well and safe and enjoy every minute of the experience. I expect to see Jamaica pushing through the field!! With all our best wishes to you and the crew. Jean and John xx

12. Vicky & Jon Barratt, Jersey 10 January 2008

Tim, We are following your progress, keep up the good work. Have you used up all those xmas cracker jokes yet? Sailer boy?? were you being sponsored! We are both thinking of you, stay safe. Vicky & Jon

13. Deirdre Moran, Dublin, Ireland 11 January 2008

Hey Mick on board! Happy Birthday!! Hope you got at least 4 hours sleep!! Welcome to the danger zone...time for a quarter life crisis!!

14. Slammer, Jersey UK 11 January 2008

Harry

How did the marigolds go down. Your chicks all send their love.

Slammer

15. helen, london 13 January 2008

You’re not the only “busy” one Claire.....sit down...I’m engaged!!!

Page 1 of 1 pages