Crew Blog

What a difference a day makes

11 April 2008

Liverpool 08's Tiina helms accompanied by Dave and Andy

As I write this I’ve just come off watch, which was spent soaking up the rays whilst admiring the nearly clear sky and the very deep blue calm sea. We kept ourselves busy in between trimming by watching the various man made items float by only to be outdone by a bloated puffer fish, the only representative of the fauna (albeit dead) we’ve seen so far. What a change from the first few days when we were soaked to the core ploughing through the choppy waves in a midst of a squall with more dinners coming up than staying down. Reefs were put in and shaken out with a frequency of a training sail and expeditions to the fore deck were prepared with same attention to the detail as if they’d been to the great unknown. And it wouldn’t have been Liverpool 08 if we hadn’t had to fish yet another sail by hanging from the rails - that time it being Yankee 2 nearly going overboard. Yes, we all prefer cruising on nine knots with the sun on our face and another Clipper right on our tail keeping us on our toes.

On the gastronomic front Onions and I managed to create a new family favourite: the bucket deep pizza. All you aspiring pizza chefs at home, what you need is a cooking environment tilted on a 30 degree angle, sudden jerky movements (ask someone to give you a push) that will send vast quantities of dried yeast spilling all over the countertops as well as your mix and the all important tantrum that will see your sous-chef duck for cover as the tins go flying. Trust me, it may sound thorny, but the results will be praised by all.

On the self-improvement side of things, Will has started intensive Finnish. He can now hold a modest conversation, but might be escorted politely from licensed premises instead of being served. More practice required. Gus keeps honing his photography skills and has turned into a right paparazzo, proof attached.

Last but not least, may I wish happy birthday from all of us on board to Hely and Ben, who both celebrate ageing today. You’re in luck, Mikey’s baking the cake.

Even though the leaves are not brown nor the sky is grey, California, we’re on our way.

Tiina

1. Tony Loftus, Liverpool 11 April 2008

Great Blogs, Mike and Tiina, Happy Birthday to Hely and Ben. I’m sure your culinary skills have improved no end. I expect all you circumnavigators to be super-slick, competent and confident by now. If we don’t get a podium place, I know it won’t be from lack of effort. Tell David he’s doing a great job on the Mr Fixit front. Enjoy California!

2. Regina, London 11 April 2008

Dear Liverpool crew,
Thanks for writing and letting us know you’re well. Although we’re not able to write every day, we’re thinking and praying that you arrive safe and sound in California. The London Marathon is going to be run this weekend and it’s going to be a reminder that there are more people like you who are also making a difference by showing up and running (albeit at a smaller scale). Keep inspiring us and hold on tight.

3. Richard Favill, Santa Cruz 11 April 2008

Hey Ben,
Happy Birthday!! Hope you have a good day. Looking forward to seeing you on your arrival to Santa Cruz, I’m going to b coming out on the water on another yacht to meet and greet you! So if you want anything upon your arrival let me know and ill sort it!! happy sailing.

4. maila mustonen, Joensuu 12 April 2008

Hi Tiina,
It was worth of waking up to read your blog. After such a hot Thai dinner, it was a little bit too early to open my eyes, but thank you for your calling. After Clipper 07-08 you might open a pizzaboat in Taunton.
Tell to Will that he could take an intensive Finnish course in Joensuu.
Enjoy visiting California for the second time.
All the best for the crew!
Mum

5. sandra scott, Stevenage 13 April 2008

Moi Hely,
Happy birthday from the crew back here in the UK. Sounds like the ‘big’ adventure is great fun.
Enjoy..
Sandra

6. david gauld, somerset 13 April 2008

great blog tiina,hope everyones well and charging towards santa cruz. Tauntons not changing fast but somerset is looking beautiful. Glad the culinary skills are improving,I never had any problem with diesel porridge but some fussy eaters did. Hope lisas ok and that mikey is a more tolerant medic than me.Send my love to everyone and give will a clip round the ear from me
best wishes david

7. Roy Stevens, Lytham St Annes 13 April 2008

Dear All,
Great to hear from you. Amazing photo, black and white and colour. How did you that? You might win another photo competition, did you know you had already won one for one of the legs.
I’ve just got back from London having run the marathon and so I’m knackered.
Stay safe and happy sailing,
Roy

8. Roy Stevens, Lytham St Annes 14 April 2008

Sorry I missed the bit about the birthdays. Belated birthday greetings to Ben and Hely.
Roy

9. Riikka Loukkaanhuhta, Nummi-Pusula, FINLAND 14 April 2008

Way to go Tiina, dearest Tinttura-armastuinen! It’s great fun to read your hilarious blog - you’ve managed to maintain the “magical skill of painting with the words”, no matter how tuff the journey! Hopefully you’ve also managed to teach Will some decent Finnish songs, like “Pohjois-Karjala” (Leevi and the Leavings) and Eppu Normaali’s “Tuhansien murheellisten laulujen maa”?!? And please translate the lyrics so everyone gets to know the inner beauty of the Finnish mentality… Keep up the good work, all of you on board, and sail on, sail on, enjoy the ride - You’ll soon find yourselves in the Hotel California…

Lots of hugs,
Riikka and Jari

10. Helen Jones, Cardiff 17 April 2008

That pizza sounds lovely! You’ll have to come and stay and make it for us when you’re back in the UK. Sophia is sat on my lap at the moment cooing and giggling at the photo of you and the rest of the crew. She can’t wait to meet Auntie Tiina and have a big cuddle.

Keep smiling little one and teaching the rest of the crew Finnish.

Big hugs

Helen & Soph

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