Crew Blog

Minor moments

09 October 2007

Qingdao's Olivia Koerfer clearing lines - a

Welcome to another exciting installment of action, excitement and adventure from aboard Qingdao. The last few days have seen many ups and downs. One highlight was skipper Marcus’s birthday on Saturday. A party was held with hats, streamers, balloons, a saucy parrot and even cake. Everyone adopted a pirate moustache for the day, with a mix of painted ones for the ladies and genuinely scruffy ones by the gents. Food in general has been a highlight aboard (thanks to purser and mother watches) with such treats as popcorn, fresh bread every day, and fruit for dessert after dinner. Occasionally a gastronomic experiment goes slightly awry though – Indian chai tea that tasted more like sweet soup being one example.

As we track ever further south the weather has been consistently sunny and the temperature is rising rapidly. For those aboard from warmer climes this makes a welcome change from the Gosport chill, but some others are feeling the heat. Everyone’s tan is improving rapidly! No doubt as the race continues we will all adapt. Trimming the spinnaker by starlight as flying fish swarm around, and occasionally thump on deck, is particularly rewarding.

The good ship Qingdao continues to keep us on our toes. More than one person has been up the mast in recent days to fix a variety of small issues – spectra strops seem to feature more often than expected. Happily the view from the top is well worth the effort. Day watches are usually quiet with our ‘minor moments’, as they are known, inevitably happening at night – just to keep us on our toes.

Approaching the ITCZ (more commonly known as the Doldrums) we are positioned well in the fleet to strike at the frontrunners. Everyone is keen to find that extra knot of boat speed we need to take the next boat – both they and we know it’s only a matter of time before they are caught!

This Glam watch blog installment was bought to you by Andy Wright.

[Skipper’s note: who is an Aussie, 12-10.]

1. Zoe, London 09 October 2007

Belated Happy Birthday Marcus! Great job guys - keep it up - thinking of you all. Can’t wait to see you in Durban! Zoe

2. Louise, hong kong 09 October 2007

delighted that you are all trucking along nicely - but what we all want to know is who won - “Slam Sailor” compeition......

3. Butty & Jo, Polperro, Cornwall,UK. 09 October 2007

Here’s hoping for a few less ‘minor moments’ and good speed through the Doldrums! Good work Qingdao, keep it up! Bring on the French next week, England win against the hosts on home soil..Marvellous!!!

4. Tatty, China 09 October 2007

Happy Birthday Marcus...21 again! Am I reading the log correctly? Is Andy implying that Badger is an Ozzie?...Quickest way to get a ticket up the mast young man! Keep trucking on everyone. Tx

5. Marco, Rome - Italy 09 October 2007

What a beatiful bowman (woman!) in action! My compliments!!
Buon vento

6. Keith, New York 09 October 2007

Happy belated birthday Marcus and don’t forget “Don’t look into the lights”

7. Bruno Bazzani, Perth,Australia 11 October 2007

Hi Gary,
sounds like you are having a blast. Can`t wait to see you sailing into Freo !
xxx The Bazzani`s

8. idil, london 11 October 2007

keep it up guys! you are all amazing to take on this adventure! dont forget how special you are. liv, you look comfy up there

9. Stuart Banks, London, England 11 October 2007

Rock it Jonesy

10. Pinar Sinan Charly de Cabrol, paris 12 October 2007

Olivia, you are really starting to look like a PRO!!! Enjoy the fantastic passage of the equator!!!We are all watching!

11. mac, A34/M40 13 October 2007

Guys

Great progress well done for making it this far, you all seem a bunch of nutters, so things should be set fair for crossing the line - remember to all hold on for King Neptune. Linda i have been watching your progress and GUTTED to find NO photos or Videos of you up a mast :(

Well done guys and roll on brazil !!

12. Baz n Jo, Italy 13 October 2007

What are you doing in 9th? Get the frigging oars out. Has Carlos’ camera packed up? Seriously, good luck to you all, looking at flights to Vancouver. XXXX

13. Derren, Colchester,UK 13 October 2007

And England are in the RWC final again after a very close game with France........... Final score 14-9.

Keep going guys. We’re all watching and hoping for a good wind....

14. Tatty, HK 14 October 2007

Come on Qingdao! 10 knots of boat speed - nice! No doubt the England win has perked everyone up! You officially hv 6 days to get to Brazil to watch the final. Trot on. Tx

15. Butty & Jo, Polperro, Cornwall,UK. 14 October 2007

What can we say? The Mighty English rumble on, another great victory over the french, bring on another World cup final!!!! oh and hope the sailing is going ok! Get on!!

16. Maria Blake, Liverpool 14 October 2007

Greetings to all the crew of the Qingdao from your friends at St. Paul’s junior School, West Derby , Liverpool. We are following the race with great excitement here, and shouting for you as well as the Liverpool ‘08 Clipper. A special hug to Varina, who did such a great job showing us around the clipper. Thanks to Carlo for the DVD of our visit, the children are thrilled with it. Regards to Kerry and Marcus who we also met and best wishes to the rest of the crew. Have a good rest when you reach Salvador.

17. Kevin Bowers, Hong Kong 15 October 2007

Hello Qingdao crew, you may all be sailing on your sweet charriot to Salvador, but I’m flying on mine to Paris for the England v South Africa Rugby World Cup Final… and for a couple of lagers. Please pass this comment onto Gary...and watch him go green !

18. Norman Illingworth, England Dorset 15 October 2007

Well done, keep going! hope all your tans are coming alone well! and good luck finding that extra Knot of speed.
Norman Illingworth

19. Florence Carter, St.Antonys Sch Leweston,Dorset 15 October 2007

Keep it up everyone not long left now. Am so gelous of all the sun you have been getting englnd is rather on the rather chilly side. The fresh bread sounds loverly. Salvador Awaits! Lest see some pickys of all this madness we seem to be missing out at home! Well done all of u. Keep it up mummy your the bestest ever! XXXXXXX

20. Tim, Birmingham 16 October 2007

Marcus,

Cant believe your missing all this Rugby! Hope you get in by next Saturday! Bit hot for you at the moment is it? Sounds like you’re in need of a BIMNAY! Keep on going. Tim

21. Dick Spanner, Colchester 08 December 2007

Marcus, Keep going-- pints of IPA await your return to Colchester !

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