Crew Blog

Mists of time

29 April 2008

Hello to all at home and around the world, following the Clipper Race. This really is an international event, as you hear of so many people in all 4 corners of the world logging on to the race site or discovering footage of the race on obscure TV channels.

For instance, one of our watch, Emma, had a friend get in touch to say they had seen our Skipper on TV in Dubai, administering a drip to Du Fei who became ill on Leg 4. I must remember to stop scratching my baboon butt when the camera is on, otherwise I will end up on primetime TV in 20 countries!

Well its day 5, and so far so good, as we are in the leading pack and well positioned for a podium finish. Weather is a little strange as we have hardly seen a cloud since slipping our lines, providing warm sunny days, but it is still cold at night, despite being off Mexico.

Attempting to manage your wardrobe in these conditions requires a costume director, as T-shirts, floppy hats, shorts and sandals are the order of the day, with cold drinks and sun cream. However at night we need thermals, fleeces and ocean suits with soup and hot chocolate the preferred beverages.

This morning was yet another pure blue sky, with the sun burning down on us and light winds. I was on spinnaker trim starboard side, when a glance over my shoulder saw a fog rolling in which enveloped the boat in seconds bringing with it a decent breeze. Suddenly we are bowling along at nearly 10 knots in next to no visibility. This continued for over an hour, during which time worried hands on lookout were chanting ‘big ocean, big ocean’. Then it was gone as quickly as it had arrived, spooky.

We did get warning that weather in the area is a bit strange, from the skipper of the fishing boat we went out on in Hawaii, but you need to see it with your own eyes to believe it.

Our piccie shows Oscar carrying out a mast inspection, as we have been flying the spinnaker constantly, and chafe is the enemy, both up the mast and in the back of my shorts!

Scheds just come in and we have caught a couple of miles on leaders Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper as the smell of chilli eminates from the Galley, happy days.

Love to all at home

Graham Calvert