Crew Blog

8 Days and Counting

27 June 2008

Qingdao races across a wet and grey North Atlantic

For those of us on Qingdao who can count higher than 6 we have worked out there are only 8 days until the end of the race in Liverpool on Saturday the 5th July.

Naturally our thoughts turn to the past 10 months, the laughter, the tears, the harsh lessons, oh… and the sailing.

The now infamous Qingdao chat has turned to ‘bests’; best port, best meal (apparently there was a broccoli taste explosion in Hawaii which will be hard to beat) and best race. There are hours of debate and negiotation to be had.

As a legger I can act as interogator in these conversations, extracting gossip and scandal pushed to the back of minds. There is a particularly flovoursome story about a session in Singapore which started with champagne and ended with some very sore heads!

But the greatest aspect of each story is the bond which seems to have always existed with the crew and that has only grown stronger. How in Brazil they went to a beach resort together, in Hawaii they learnt to surf together, in New York attempted to go to a baseball game together (who knew you needed to buy tickets in advance?).

It is a very rare thing that a group of literal strangers could be put in such close proximity for weeks at a time and then, at the only opportunity they have to get off the boat, explore and relax, they choose to continue to spend their precious off-time with each other.

It’s been a real honour to share and be part of this close group.

But… the nominations for ‘best’ are still open. Cork is 18 hours away and is feeling like a good contender for best stopover. It will certainly be an emotional (and drunken) one for round-the-worlders and leggers alike.

So it is with enthuasm, determination and the desire to have a shower and dry our kit that we continue the race to Ireland. We are ready for everything the Celtic Sea has to test us with and know that together we’ll get there in time for a cheeky half and even more great Qingdao times.

Abi

1. Kevin Bowers, Hong Kong 28 June 2008

I wager 500GBP that Gary’s best meal was the wild boar pie at Logan-Brown in Wellington during the last British Lions Tour to New Zealand and during which Russ came as the baby Jesus ! Never, ever, ever mention the stop-over in Singapore...the Kai Tak Convention applies as you are technically “on tour” ! By the way Gary, I’m booking the British Lions tour to South Africa this week. The game is on, are you ?

2. malcolm lee, UK 28 June 2008

Danny you and the team are doing fantastic ......Sorry not in Cork to meet up with you .. plans didn’t work out .,but there is a pint waiting you at the bar !!

Slainte is go n’eiri an bhothair libh ......

M&M;

3. Tatty, NY 28 June 2008

Abi, that is the most wonderful log. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Think I have a tear in my eye......Of course, all the Qingdao supporters know you are the best boat & best crew (biased anyone? ...never!!) but its great to make a point of reminding everyone whenever humanly possible! Wishing you all the very very best of luck for the finish line going into Cork and every ounce of grit and determination for securing a podium fnish in Liverpool. We’ll all be screaming the “Qingdao Chant” to welcome you home. Bring it on! Tatty

4. karole, nyc 29 June 2008

Congrats to Gary and crew for another podium position! Well done!!
I can’t believe this incredible journey is almost complete...looing forward to catching up again soon. x k

5. The Badger's Mum & Dad, Ardleigh Essex 29 June 2008

Yippee, 2nd. place !!! well done Marcus and the fabulous Qingdao crew, look forward to seeing you all in Cork (and Liverpool) where the unique ‘Qingdao Chant’ will get it’s last airing. Have a great time in Cork and ‘walk good’ (as they say in Jamaica)

6. Bill Lowe, UK 29 June 2008

Well done Danny look forward to seeing you

7. Charlie Burgess, London 30 June 2008

You little beauties - well done to every last one of you! I feel proud to be a Qingdao..........person
Go get’em in the final dash

8. Russell Bennett, Hong Kong 01 July 2008

Kev - I hate to point it out, but for the “… session in Singapore which started with champagne [at brunch in the Fullerton] and ended with some very sore heads!” you weren’t actually there !

9. STEVE GOODING, UK 01 July 2008

MOURICE PEARCE.well done mourice,ive been keeping an eye on your progress over the last few weeks and youve done realy well,you look like your realy enjoying it.When you get home we will have to catch up.steve....ps,,i hope the rash has gone!!

10. Julian Presant-Collins, Milton Keynes 01 July 2008

Julian who? Just to say well done guys & girls, good to see another 2nd place and without me! Afraid I won’t be able to join you in Liverpool but have a cheeky half for me. Jules leg 6.

11. Jan Cottrell, Wolverhampton 02 July 2008

Hi Abi, I’ve been following the race and rooting for you (and the rest of the crew). (I hope you managed some days with a bit of sunshine across the Atlantic? ). Watch out for the wind turbines just out from Liverpool! All the best for the last bit. Catch up with you some time in land-locked Birmingham!

12. megan kiff, milton keynes 02 July 2008

hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i will see you on satarday!!! i cant wait i hope my t shirt will come soon! looking forward to seeing you loads daddy! lots and lots of love, meganxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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