Crew Blog

24 Hours on Qingdao

29 October 2007

24 Hours on Board Qingdao

Here is what happens through a 24 hours crewing onboard Qindao Clipper

Woken at 7.15 for a 7.30 breakfast. This is really hard. We must get up straight away or lateness creeps in. lateness is a not really tolerated as the watch coming in will give us a load of grief for ages. Cornflakes for breakfast and jam on toast if we are lucky. Over breakfast Marcus announces, “We gained 16 miles last night”, we’re 47 miles ahead of the second boat.

Up on deck then, we are Trick Watch, the buzz is amazing. Gary (WL), Carrie, Klaus, David, Linda and me. We are motoring at 11 or 12kts steady. We are laughing and joking and can’t believe the 47 miles. All we are missing is some SK travel sweets to round things off. The sun is out, its shorts and tee shirts not forgetting the life jackets. The watch goes well; we get 44 Nm in the 4 hours. On the way down for lunch we tell Treat watch to try and get the same.

Lunch is normally nice and there is chitter chatter about the watch. We are off watch til’ 4.00 so we might chill out, do some e-mailing or get some sleep. It’s really hot during the day. Only the brave enter the bunks.

Back on watch at 4.00 and it’s more of the same. In at 8.00 for dinner and then the bunks. We are all tired and sleep well.

Woken at 11...35 for 12.00 midnight watch change over. This is a really hard watch. We are generally really tired and it’s quiet on deck. Time goes slowly and we are glad to get in and sleep again.

It’s woken at 7.35 and you know the rest.

Other Stuff

Mother Watch happens around once a week; cooking and cleaning, but really we all want to be on deck sailing.
We get a shower normally on mother watch which is great.
Crewing onboard Qingdao clipper is hard work but we are all having a brilliant time.

By Ant Kiff

1. Tatty, UK 29 October 2007

Hurrah for Qingdao - you all rock!!! Keep up the hard work. This leg has your name written all over it! Tattyx

2. David Paulsen, Washington, DC 29 October 2007

Thanks for that update Ant - it really helps those of us watching from afar understand what its like for all of you. And congratulations to all aboard Qingdao on your progress - at the moment you are over 80 miles in the lead! One question - and this might better be directed at the race sponsors since I know you really can’t read these comments - how is it you can email aboard the boat?? We heard you did not have any Internet access while at sea.

(The boats do not have internet access but they can send and recieve emails through a satellite communication system - Clipper Race Team)

Anyway, congratulations to all of you and especially Carrie on a great leg so far.

3. sam kiff, pembs 29 October 2007

Keep up the hard work quindao and ant
xx

4. Keith, New York 29 October 2007

Keep up the great work and be first to those Southern winds.

5. sarah, SAN DIEGO 30 October 2007

Good to see and hear that Mother Nature is treating you all wonderfully; She is treating us with respect also; house not burned down but still in hotel....love and hugs to all especially Gary. love sxxx.

6. The Badgers Mum & Dad, Ardleigh Essex 30 October 2007

Great stuff Qingdao, in the lead for some time now, keep up the good work. Long way to go, but first into Durban will do nicely !! Pass the Badger a Jam Sandwich - he likes those !!

7. jonathan ramm, suffolk uk 30 October 2007

rock and roll you going great stuff get that east wind and ride it all the way to durban !!!! love and peace, crank the music up ! xxx

8. mo nicholls, sydney 31 October 2007

hey Qingdao are you winning because Christian has cooked the crew his famous beetroot + spam pasta dish, it’s enough to make anyone want to get to dry land quick!
Luv Mo

9. The Halletts, Canada 31 October 2007

Nice work Qingdao. Good to see that Marcus is faster in a boat than on a motorbike
Fingers crossed that you reach Durban first. Good luck. See you in Nova Scotia. Paul & Sarah.

10. Butty & Jo, Polperro, Cornwall,UK. 31 October 2007

Cracking start Qingdao, that’s a great lead you are pulling on the other boats, here’s hoping ‘East is best’ gets you on that podium in Durban!

11. Abi - Leg 7, Sunny Birmingham 31 October 2007

There is only one thing missing from your watch routine, where is the time allocated for keeping the snake pit tidy?!? There is so much support for Qingdao, we are all constantly thinking of you and sending you good wishes. Can’t wait to see you all soon. Abi x

12. EVANS COKES, LEEDS 31 October 2007

Amazing!!! Well Done Luck Guys!
Keep, Keep and Keep!
Cheers, QINGDAO Beer!

13. Anouska, Derby UK 31 October 2007

Go Qingdao - you are doing amazing! thinking of you all (especially David) & feeling for you with the lack of sleep! Keep up the hard work - lots of love Anouska & Dan xxx

14. karen, ripon 31 October 2007

Keep it going Qingdao! Fab first week - only another 2864 miles to go - that’s a long way in a car, on a road, with possibilities to get out now and again… mmmm! But its even further for the boats behind! Keep safe and enjoy. Karen x

15. karole, current location: cairo 01 November 2007

Trick or Treaters, Hope you had a good halloween and keep up the great work! Gary (Trickster WL) asked about the god of wind...seems there are a few in greek mythology, the wind gods are the anemoi but be careful, not only do they control the wind, they are responsible for weather conditions as well. Don’t think you need any help (looks like you are all quite skilled!), but if so, call on the “good” wind gods! x

16. dave Newall, england, hove actually 01 November 2007

Ella malaca

nice one marcus keep it up matey, wishing you all the best, following you all the way, maybe one day even give it a go myself

all the best

17. Joyce (Mummy) Jones, Warrington 01 November 2007

Keep it up Lady Qing. Will be waiting in Durban CJ with chocolate at the ready. Proud of you all. Love Mum xx

18. Julie, On night shift- Wiltshire 01 November 2007

Fantasic run Qingdao - Knew you could do it !!
Hope everyone is having a great time out there, all the best to Chris and Glam watch.
Stay safe.
JulesX

19. jean, Boroughbridge 01 November 2007

Well done Qingdao, following you all the way, going great guns. Keep it up, Hello to everyone on board, especially David. Keep safe all of you, from Mum and Dad.xx

20. Sheena, London, UK 02 November 2007

Hey, great work Qing Dao! Keep up that lead, and may Neptune get you to Durban to drink all the beers before the rest of them arrive!! Thinking of you all, especially Gary. Keep safe, and have fun. Sheena x

21. Paul & Caterina, Ilkeston UK 02 November 2007

Keep it up Qingdao, you are doing a great job. Stay where you are and keep the others on your tails. Still a long way to go but we hope you get on the podium in Durban.Carlo & Vee all the best.

Paul & Caterina XX

22. Dick Sandbach, Derbyshire 02 November 2007

What’s it like to be in the lead Qingdao? Keep it up - watch that sail trim. You’re doing a great job, just keep the rest of the fleet behind you and remember to ‘sail it like you stole it!’

23. Susan & Rod, Huddersfield 02 November 2007

Wow Qingdao you are STILL in the lead! Keep up the good work. We are cheering you all the way.

24. Peter Leung, London 02 November 2007

Go go Qingdao, Just can’t keep help myself at work and keep bringing up the website to see if anything new is posted. And why am I not surprised that Abi brought up the issue with the snake pit!!

25. Tash, Josh & Jega, Harrogate 02 November 2007

Well done, Qingdoa. We are keeping the night watch over here. Hopefully, you will get the SK travel sweets in Durban. Crew!!! keep an eye on David, he is known for finishing off sweets. Take care of yourself and each other. Tash, Josh & Jega XXX

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