Crew Blog

Dismay on board as news of the Spice Girls’ latest separation reaches us

04 February 2008

Qingdao's Christian and Gary on the foredeck

In days gone by seafarers may have waited months, even years, for news from home. But our trusty (shurely shome mishtake? Ed.) satellite link with home keeps us updated daily. Thus it was with great sadness that we learned today that the Spice Girls are splitting up again. Barely recovered from the news that Kate Middleton is again off-the-market, this was a particularly harsh blow to some.

In an effort to persuade those siren songstresses otherwise, we on Qingdao have embarked on a go-slow. The more eagle-eyed among you will no doubt be amazed at our prescience on board, the protest having started before the news reached us. Anticipation is our middle name. (It would be useful if “Faster” was another.)

Determined not to be too downhearted, we push on. Life on board is its usual challenge when sailing into the wind with no ventilation and sauna-like conditions. Some long for their beds at home, others their Fulham townhouses and Chelsea friends. But we are not downhearted. Entertainment comes in the form of birds plucking flying fish mid-flight. One even gained a round of applause after a particularly steep and successful dive. We have the nets out again hoping to catch some so that we can have another spit-roast on board. Additional entertainment comes in the form of underpants-only sail changes on the foredeck. Gary insists the water was quite cold actually. (I was forced to agree.)

Further panic on board comes with the news that we have run out of teabags. Apparently some crew members have been double-bagging so we have run out sooner than anticipated. But no matter. There are greater challenges ahead and we sail happily towards them.

Christian Lambie

1. Mo, Morpeth, Northumberland 04 February 2008

In the cold NE of England (no, you wouldn’t really want to be here) your blog has cheered up my afternoon.I have to confess to being a New York groupie but your good humour has made me smile. Don’t worry about the celebs. - plenty more fish in the sea! Hope you catch some in your net! And as for the teabags,- There’s all that tea in China waiting for you, - and the Quindao beer. Good sailing, Mo.

2. Peter Leung, Leg 5, London 04 February 2008

What, no teabags. Welll I’m not coming onboard if I can’t even get a decent cup of tea!!! No wonder your just chugging along!

3. Tatty, NY 05 February 2008

I think this picture could put Slam, Musto, and onther sailing footwear brands out of business. Deck work in crocks I ask you? A must try!! Go Qingdao! Tattyx

4. The Halletts, Canada 06 February 2008

Chin up Chollers. Necessary faster. Beat the crew. Have a Tsing Tao, (with sparrow meat soup) for me when you hit China. The Americas next. See you in New York.
The Hallett

5. jean, Boroughbridge 06 February 2008

Come on Qingdao, always watching your progress even though David B is not now on board. Cheering you on all the way. Safe and happy sailing to you all. Hope the medical situation is now under control and the patient is fully recovered. Good Luck. Jean & Richard B.

6. charlie, qingdao 07 February 2008

Enjoy the sauna before the snow of Qingdao...! definitely not a good point to have run out of tea!
I hope “jolie patate” is recovering quickly!!
happy chinese new year and good luck for the rest of the leg!

7. Teodora Lazarova, Qingdao, China 07 February 2008

Happy Chinese New Year to all on lady Qing. We still have lots of fireworks going off everywhere in Qingdao. The snow is melting but it has nothing to do with the weather getting any warmer. Its -6 degrees over here so get your thermals ready. We are preparing few parties to warm you up when you arrive.
Not long now. See you all in few days. All of Qingdao is waiting for you.
Teddy

8. Tatty, NY 07 February 2008

Wow, Qingdoa...Per Ardua ad Astra ("through hard-work to the stars") as they say in the RAF (Badger will understand the tenuous link!)! Could you keep the medical emergencies, the MOBs and other excitement to a minimum please! Not sure us at home can handle the pressure. Really well done Qingdoa. The positive outcome of recent events is testament to your hardwork and crewmanship. All the best. Tatty

9. Kevin Bowers, Hong Kong 08 February 2008

Gary, as I look at out the window of my Hong Kong skyscraper on the second day of the Chinese New Year holidays (stuck in the office again and day dreaming about how cool it would be to be sailing in a round the world yacht race instead of drafting this specific discovery affidavit), I can just about see the Lady Qing making rather heavy weather of the South China Sea. Do pop in if you’d like to stock up on those all important English Breakfast tea bags (and maybe a quick pint of Strongbow in Delaneys), which I’m sure will make all the difference...Kung Hei Fat Choi to all of you on the Lady !

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