Crew Blog

Are we nearly there yet?

13 December 2007

Less than a 1000nm to Fremantle – we cracked this little nut 48 hours ago and boy did that feel good! We had lingered around in the blue desert for what seemed like an entire cricket match waiting to pass three thousand miles.

Our thoughts turn to what to expect in Fremantle. Our skipper tells us it’s BBQs and beer every night, discussions on not just ordinary steaks but large tender succulent steaks, not just a bottle of house red but Margaret River’s finest and/or a full-bodied Burgundy. These aren’t the dreams of ordinary people but the dreams of the Qingdao crew, a crew deprived!

Thought we should mention we spotted a seal the other day, more than 1000 nm offshore, on his back, tail in the air soaking up the rays – very chilled! We were pleasantly surprised to see him but not as surprised as he was to clock us and immediately dived to protect his integrity. We suspect he’d traveled so far to guarantee some me time. What were the odds of Qingdao gate-crashing his party for one?

Latest reports tell us we are amongst a handful of boats vying for a podium position. Every detail counts: sitting and sleeping on the high side; trim, trim, trim; sailing to a course; slick evolutions. Here’s hoping for a podium slot.

Unless becalmed this is likely to be the final blog for this leg.

Charlie and Steve

1. Mum Dad Debbie, Manchester 13 December 2007

Well done Martin and Qingdao not too long now before you are back on land very proud of you hope you get a podium position you more than deserve it

Love Mum Dad and Debbie xxx

2. David Paulsen, Washington, DC 14 December 2007

Go, Lady Qing, GO!! Take Carrie and her crewmates to the podium in Fremantle. You got a bunch of folks back here in VA rooting hard for you!

3. jean, Boroughbridge 14 December 2007

Keep it going Qingdao, what a race!!. Great to see you up there with the leaders. Our thoughts are with you, enjoy the sun and all the rest, and of course have a well earned rest. Take care. Catch that Freemantle Doctor. David special thoughts to you. Love Mum & Dadxx

4. Dave, Swinton Auto Salvage and Repair 14 December 2007

Hey up Martin,
Don’t worry Me and Mr Moore have made a good repair of your gate post and I’m sure that a half decent bodywork man can repair the Merc so that no one will know its had a slight accident!
The girls seem to be doing well, I saw Karen and the kids at the Trafford Centre, boy them girls know how to shop, good job you left the plastic behind.
There is a small problem with the new Chesterfield that Karen got delivered, I told her it was too big but she wouldn’t listen, Think a window will have to come out to get it in though.
Now C’mon Qingdao not far to go, your well placed for a great fininsh so no slacking.

Note to all the Qingdao crew; If Marcus starts to bake a malt loaf don’t eat it, I know what sailors put in that stuff, it just isn’t right and you wont find it in one of Jamie Olivers recipe’s (Martin will explain)

Still not seen any action picks of you yet Martin, are you really there or is it just a elaborate excuse to get some time off work!!

Goodluck and best wishes, Dave and Gang.

5. Susan & Rod, Huddersfield 14 December 2007

Are you sure that seal was not David, he does have some very strange habits! Keep up the good work and I am sure there will be plenty of steak and burgundy to await you in Fremantle. Susan & Rod

6. pat shovlin, big cornelius 14 December 2007

Queen Qingdao

The crew /Our Mart

All the lads & lassies have been watching the race viewer with great interest,and we all agree it’s about time for a little jaunt up front of the fleet.You are all doing so well,use the head winds that will only slow duban doo daa ,and western whatsit down.
Mart these head winds sounds ominus keep your’s covered don’t want to lose any moor thatch than you already have.
All the best from the lads / lassies at big cornelius

7. Ian, knaresborough 14 December 2007

We have followed the progress of Qingdao all the way and now you have less than 200 miles to the land of Oz!!!. Wishing David and the rest of the crew fair wind for the race to the finish line.

Good luck and all the best from Ian,Lisa,Matt & Laura

8. Tony Mee, Madeira 14 December 2007

Come on David—I think its great hope you do well --you never cease to surprise me ---

Good luck see you next year
Tony

9. Judy, London 15 December 2007

Well done Marcus -& Qingdao. Looks like a potential great entry to Freo. Say hello to everyone for me. Would love to be there but to St lucia tomorrow to meet the other sailor
Love
Judy

10. mike, yorkshire 15 December 2007

well done all on Quindao looks like your heading for a podium.
well done Dave.
YOU HAVE ALL EARNED A WELL DESERVED REST.
Have a great time in Australia.
Logged on every day. Hooked now so i will be cheering the Quindao crew on till the end.
See you soon Dave , All the family send their wishe’s

Mike,Grace and James. xxx

11. laura ,ellie and karen knowles, manchester 15 December 2007

hi dad
well done. love you lots laura hope to see you soon. xxxx

hi dad i hoppe yue are a o k. i know you are near the end i am watching you with mum. love ellie . xxx

Hi Mart,

its like one of those deals in tesco you buy two you get one free (the messages). Good luck for the home run. we are all very proud of you, but you didnt need to go that far to make us proud of you. hope its lived up to expectations. carnt wait to see you.

well done darling, Karen xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

now have a good wash before you get to darrens.

12. Ian and Joj, Italy 15 December 2007

Woke up at 3 this morning thinking you had hit land at last. Is this the case? Its snowing here, so make the most of your good weather and have a shrimp or two for us.

Ian xx

13. mike, yorkshire 15 December 2007

while i type this the time is 18.39 gmt so your there or within spitting distance.
WELL DONE ALL OF YOU.

DAVE I have dug out some of my size 32 waist jeans for when you return,
see you soon slim

MIKE X

14. Victoria & Rod, Tweed Heads Aust 16 December 2007

Well done to Charlie and the rest of the crew! I hear you have arrived in ‘Freo’ in 3rd place! Bet you were glad to find your cheer squad awaiting your arrival.

15. KAY&PETER;, Bourne Lincs 17 December 2007

WELL DONE MARCUS, HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEW YEAR ON DRY LAND WITH THE FAMILY. OUR FONDEST WISHES TO YOU ALL. KAY PETER AND FAMILY

16. Julian Presant-Collins, Milton Keynes 17 December 2007

Well done to the whole crew on Qingdao - fantastic result! Zoe & Martin nice to see that the two key lessons in training paid off: ‘Chafe is the enemy!’ and the importance of sharing the malt loaf. Right, back to my books on sailing trimming - otherwise I rather feel that anything other than 1st or 2nd place for races 9 & 10 when I’m onboard will cost me dearly.

17. Robin & Edie, Denmark 18 December 2007

Fremantle already! I was convinced it would take weeks to get from Durban so haven’t been checking the site too often. Looks like you’re pulling through the ranks. Expect to see you first in port next time around. We’re off to Egypt tomorrow so you won’t be the only ones celebrating Christmas in the sun. Have a good one!
Robin

18. Chris Teesdale, Northern Virginia 19 December 2007

Congrats on the podium finish, enjoy the BBQ and libations. Happy Holidays to the crew. Carrie, congrats on your voyage so far!

19. kathy claydon, hamble, UK 21 December 2007

Well done to Qingdao’s podium result, especially to crew Massimo, great result. We’re looking forward to hearing all about your amazing experiences. Kathy

20. Ben & Gillie, London 21 December 2007

Gary, congratulations, on the podium this time! (It’s gold all the way from now).

I can’t remember if you met him but Gillie’s brother Angus is in Perth until the 29th Dec. If you want to give him a call can you email me & I will send you his tel.
I know he would be keen for a few beers and to hear your wild and woolly stories!
Ben & Gillie.

21. Tony Lambie, Oxfordshire 21 December 2007

You’re doing great things, all of you. We’re watching you and will be thinking of you at Christmas (in Scotland). We hope Christian is pulling his weight and not throwing it about. His Blackbird is not singing in the dead of night; safe and secure it is. Love from Sheila, Davina, Esme and Tony and best wishes for the New Year, when it comes.

22. The Halletts, Canada 22 December 2007

Nice one Marcus and crew. Have a great Christmas and New Year.
Paul, Sarah, Tom, Sam and Ollie

23. Sami Calvert, liverpool.halewood 26 December 2007

Well done for 3rd place Qingdao in the last race, hope you do well in the next one aswell the best of luck.
I just want to say good luck to my dad Graham Calvert who is joining at fremantle he will be missed grately but we are all proud of him.
Years to come hopefully his new born son will have a go at the clipper race!!
Love you lots dad be safe xxxxxxx
p.s-Don’t get to drunk and fall over board!!!!!!! xxx

24. Barbara J Beatty, 28 December 2007

Carrie,

Way to go girl. I am so proud of you and can’t wait to hear all about this incredible trip you have chosen to take. Your Mom keeps me posted on how you are doing.
Have a wonderful New Year.

Be safe and we will continue keep you, and the team, in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Barbie

25. The Meyer Family, M Wallop, UK 01 January 2008

Hi Marcus,

Have just been catching up on the news of Chicken Chow Mein - you seem to be holding up well; congratulations on 3rd place for this leg - really good news. Happy New Year and good luck to you and all the crew. We look forward to seeing you back here sometime this year...lots of love, Fenella, David, Polly & Bertie.

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