Crew Blog

Cresting the waves

13 November 2007

Your correspondent joined the boat in Salvador for the great adventure; and what an adventure it is turning out to be!

You should know that I am the old one on this boat, having been born before the second world war, and known variously as Old F*rt, the Doddering Old Fool, and several other affectionate (I think!) soubriquets. This being the case you will be unsurprised to know that I was looking ahead with some trepidation to the roaring forties (well about 37 degrees south, but close enough). You have read about the huge waves and the roaring winds (the sound in the rigging comes straight from a film soundtrack!) The amazing speeds are achieved by literally surfing down the face of these waves, and holding on to the crest for as long as possible. I have always loved messing about in boats, but surfing a 68 foot 46 ton boat on a 25 foot wave in a forty knot (force 9) full blown gale is messing about in boats in spades. Mind you cooking and cleaning down below is still a bit uncomfortable! When it rains, and rain it did, most heavily, the downpour has the extraordinary effect of flattening the sea and eliminating the white horses. At this time the wind had risen even more and we are scorching across the ocean at a steady(ish) 18 to 20 knots with the bareheaded and soaking wet skipper at the helm shouting Ya hoooooooooh at the top of his voice!

The crew are utterly amazing. It is a privilege to sail with such brilliant people. We are entering the closing stages now, and the race is really on. We are most definitely aiming for a place on the podium.

Richard Dowdeswell
(Doddering Dick)

1. Emily Rogers, Wardington 13 November 2007

Finally a photo of Crimewatch - hmm not the best of you Alex!!!
Not far now keep up the good work - just think of those nice cold beers, a good steak with a crispy salad and a hotel room with a bed and soft fluffy gowns!!
Speak soon, all love Ems, Fred, Willa, Flora and Harry x

2. Roy Stevens, Home Lytham St Annes 13 November 2007

Dear Richard,
Glad to hear you haven’t lost your sense of humour. Crime watch are looking good. Who’s the hairy bloke on the right? I’m more worried about you when you reach port, be careful.
You look well placed to take a podium place and see of the other pretenders.
Good Luck
Roy

3. Alan Baxendale, Perth WA 13 November 2007

What a trip! Go you good things - all the way to Durban

4. Sue Haslam, Chester 14 November 2007

Richard, great blog, glad you are enjoying yourselves on the roller coaster! We are all sitting with baited breath to see how you finish tomorrow - go go go! Love to you all. Sue x

5. Maria Clarke, Dorchester 14 November 2007

Hello to all on Liverpool 08. Keep up the great work. I hope Tiina has now mastered the harmonica and is entertaining you all beautifully! Not long now to Durban!

Take care
Lots of love, Maria xx

6. helen Pearce, cheshire 14 November 2007

You are certainly keeping us on the edge of our seats Liverpool. Wish we could be in Durban to see you in for a place on the podium. Hang on in there and keep up the good sailing. The surfing sounds mind blowing.
Cheers Helen and Chris

7. Jo Goodfellow, Liverpool 14 November 2007

HellO Liverpool, you are looking in great shape, great Blog Rich, keeping upto date each day, Eleni see you are still the demon/women at the helm, no sleep to-night watching were you will finish, go like the clappers...love to you all Jo G

8. david gauld, somerset 14 November 2007

looking good ,crimewatch! good luck in th efinal push to durban
david

9. Mikko, Lat:64.22751N Long:27.72432E 15 November 2007

Hello Tiina,

nice tan! Keep your toes warm and inflatable lifejacket on.

Mikko

10. Doreen Jones, La Rochelle 15 November 2007

Come on Liverpool 08,time to pull out all the stops now for podium finish,if there was a trophy for amount of distance travelled to destination you,d win hands down.You seem to have come the longest way,so to be in the potion your in you,ve done great.Full sail for the finish line,good luck Doreen Jones and the La Rochelle groupies

11. Peter Liggett, Liverpool 15 November 2007

It will be a close finish - keep an eye on those wiley Scots. They are 1.5 points ahead overall at the moment we could do with taking 3rd and pray that New York win (sorry ‘Ull n ‘Umber).

I am glad that you have let Richard out of the galley, no doubt he has had you all in stitches with his rib tickling jokes and anecdotes.

Have a fantastic break in Durban.

All the best, Peter x

12. Sue Haslam, Chester 15 November 2007

Wow guys! Keep going! Enjoy the beers and have a great stop over. Hope not too much maintenance to be done. Mikey - what’s the harmonica whilst Eleni organises a crew work out, and Paul is perfecting the scones with the white stuff bought in Salvador..... Don’t let David spend all the down time in the engine and the bilges, nor Will up the mast, nor Richard teaching Russ and Ben the nicities of bell ringing, nor Mills analysing sea samples, nor Lisa comparing the benefits of black cabs against the cabbies you will encounter there.............. So jealous! Have a fabulous time and enjoy!!! Love Sue x

13. George Cook, Liverpool 16 November 2007

Go on Liverppol 08. It is frustrating not having instant positions. Everything is several hours behind. At 11pm UK time on the 15th you still have miles to go!
Kick A.......!

14. Jayne, wallasey 16 November 2007

HIP HIP HOORAY Congratulations Liverpool08 on your safe arrival at Durban in a podium position (keep on gaining points.) Enjoy the rest, good food, drinks and a well deserved shower or relaxing bath. love Williams Mumand Dad xxx

15. brian Moore, uk 16 November 2007

Great finish Liverpool,an amazing run in the last couple of days.Have a well earned rest and look forward to hearing from you as you take on the Southern Ocean again.
All the best Brian

16. Roy Stevns, Home Lytham St Annes 16 November 2007

Well done Ben and crew. I’m really proud of you. What a team, what a finish? Glad you saw off the black stealth boat.
Enjoy your celebrations
Best wishes
Roy

17. charlotte, oxford, uk 16 November 2007

Fantastic achievement and am so proud of my brother in law. Think you must be a fantastic crew to have finished so well. Have a great time in Durban, and good luck to crew of Liverpool 08 on the next leg. love c

18. Mikko Halinen, Kajjaani, Finland 16 November 2007

Well done L’pool!
Tiina keep your toes warm and that tan.

19. Laura Davies, Liverpool 18 November 2007

well done to lisa and all the team for coming second thanks to hull and hummber.hope you have a wonderful time in durban and a well earned brake

love laura and all the family xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

20. Adam Collier, Cowes 19 November 2007

Well done Ben and the whole crew of Liverpool...awesome...2nd place!!! Keep it up and best of luck from onboard Lady K currently in Lanzarote waiting to cross to the Caribbean. All the best guys and well done again!!! Adam

21. Peter Day, Liverpool 19 November 2007

FOR LIVERPOOL 08 CREW

November 19th 2007

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all well and enjoying your extremely well deserved break. I am away tomorrow morning and not back until late Thursday night and then in work on Friday at 0830 GMT, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to wish all the very best of continued success for your start on the next race and hope that you get an excellent start and progress into a commanding lead.

Well I must be going now but sincere wishes to you all and I am with you although be it via the internet! Until next time, take care and once again good luck, keep up the fantastic work you’re all doing. Everybody is so proud of you I am sure.

Best wishes,

Peter Day - Photographer. - Liverpool

22. Maria Blake, Liverpool 19 November 2007

Congratulations Liverpool from all your fans at St Paul’s Junior school, West Derby ,Liverpool. Have a good, well earned rest at Durban.

23. Lisa White, London 20 November 2007

What a nail-biting finish… Congratulations for reaching Durban in splendid time and gaining second place. Keep up the good work. I am very proud of you all and especially of you Eleni my darlink - what an amazing achievement my dear. I am so chuffed and cant stop talking about it at work! Take care all.

Lots of love
Lisa White x

24. Theo van der Spiegel, London 20 November 2007

Hi Kevin
Have you seen any spectacular fish? Was it fun sailing across the ocean? How big did the waves get? You look funny in the photo. I’ve never seen you with a beard before!
Well done for coming second. Good luck with the trip to western Australia.
Lots of love, Theo
PS Have you got scurvy yet?

25. Ian Tomlinson, Mere Brow, Preston 21 November 2007

Hey Guys and Gals and Richard.

Great finish!

Gutted for U & U but that’s life.

Sharpen the bow for the next leg and get the rest left behind you quick-sticks on your way to Freemantle.

I miss the stinking ghetto below deck and am weaning myself back into one-underpant-per-day mode with the help of therapy.

Met with Joan, Peter and JP and let them know how easy (?) it all is!!!!!

Take it easy and see you all (well most of you) in Jamaica.

Hugs and kisses,

Ian Tomo

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