Crew Blog

On our way to Cork

21 June 2008

New York spies competition as the fog lifts

After a great send off from Sydney, Nova Scotia, complete with giant fiddle on the quayside and bagpipes, we had an exciting race start with lots of close manoeuvering in the harbour. Then we discovered why this part of the Atlantic is sometimes referred to as the pond. It was as calm as one and almost completely still for the best part of three days with spells of thick fog and some sunshine too. The party-hooter style foghorns on board have proved surprisingly effective as we have heard the distant calls of other Clipper yachts.

Day 4 and the race is definitely back on. The fleet has wind in its sails and good old Duggie has made sure that we’re striking out from the front with a chance of being in the frame for the next two weeks. He looks the happiest guy around to be back at sea with the wind in his glasses, glad to know all crew members are back on board safely after a great run ashore in Nova Scotia (even though the last night was a dry one!)

Every layer of fleece has been called into use (usually all at once) as we enter “iceberg alley” although thankfully none sighted yet, only a large whale and a few distant dolphins. Let’s hope it stays that way – never mentioned the icebergs to the folks back home. Sorry folks! Don’t want any Titanic tussles here.

So from one Celtic land to another or from one big fiddle to a load of fiddles, we sail as fast as we can. We are looking like a well-oiled sailing machine. The crew has arms like Popeye (girls an’ all) but it’s more from pumping the heads than from sail manoeuvres! As the race is moving towards a close the RTWs at last feel the weight of the world being lifted from their shoulders. Phew!

So as we sit here staring at blobs on the radar screen and wondering what on earth they are it’s goodnight from me and it’s goodnight from him.

Pam and Paul xx

1. PAUL TERRY, Wolves 24 June 2008

Captain Onions how ya diddling???????????

We turn away to face the cold, enduring chill
As the day begs the night for mercy
Your sun so bright it leaves no shadows, only scars

Carved into stone on the face of earth
The moon is up over One Tree Hill
We see the sun go down in your eyes

You ran like a river oh, to the sea
You run like a river runs to the sea

And in our world a heart of darkness
A firezone where poets speak their hearts
Then bleed for it
Jara sang his song a weapon
In the hands of love
You know his blood still cries from the ground

It runs like a river, runs to the sea
It runs like a river to the sea

I don’t believe in painted roses or bleeding hearts
While bullets rape the night of the merciful
I’ll see you again when the stars fall from the sky
And the moon has turned red over One Tree Hill

We run like a river to the sea, run to the sea
We run like a river to the sea
And when it’s raining, raining hard
That’s when the rain will break my heart
Raining, raining hard, raining in your heart
Raining, rain into your heart, raining

Oh great ocean, oh great sea
Run to the ocean, run to the sea

See you soon Son all the best .
We will have a few beers when you are home mate and im back from Canada ok
The ***kwit No1

2. Jo, London 24 June 2008

Goodnight? Great sailing whatever time of day - keep it up! This is a bit of a tame message if Mr O was involved! What has calmed him? Has he had red cards recently? Has he made bread recently? Maybe Pam has had to be the censor! Wrap up well and sail fast and first LOL Jo xxxx

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