Crew Blog

News from the Qingdao clinic

12 January 2008

Qingdoa's crew concentrate on catching Jamaica

For 12 days we have sailed the ocean .after the first two days when we keenly counted the other clipper sails by day and the mast head lights by night we parted to pursue our own courses. Since then we have not seen a single other boat until today . 10 days of 4hours on, four hours off contemplating the sea by day in the ever increasing heat and the stars by night as the humidity rocketed. There was little work changing sails as we had the lightweight spinnnaker up for 7 days . We knew we were not leading the fleet but the endless trimming ensured we made excellent progress with the wind we had. A couple of storm petrel (there is debate about this) kept us company, circling around for 4 days and then 4gannet for 2days. Flying fish were so common they stopped deserving comment and on one occasion a huge pod of dolphins came to investigate. We marveled at the wonders of wild life, birds’ ability to fly so far from land and to know where they were going: we explored this link with the wonder of evolution deep into the early hours and interspersed this with pondering the creation of the universe and the infinity of space. (aided by The boy Oscar’s book on stars and the knowledge he gained from his rivetingly (apparently) geography degree. these deeply intellectual conversations were given added gravitas but the adoption of any regional dialect, Celtic accent or the usual comedy characters that came to mind. Yesterday a beautiful white bird (could not be de fined) circled and landed on our mast where it settled. We gurgled and cooed over being able to offer it resting place after it’s brave flight over the ocean and were so delighted (and in truth probably suffering from social deprivation) we spent a few hours deciding a name for it.(time racing over the Indian ocean at 40degrees heat isn’t as pressing as time in the real world) She became snowy and Snowy stayed at the top of the mast and settled down for the night. It as probably unfortunate that Steve the Pirate chose to trim from just aside of the mast because…you know what I’m going to say and suddenly wildlife wasn’t cute any more. The length to which I have described this totally enthralling event sums up how life take on a totally different meaning away from TV, the news, booze and ice cubes. But today, we saw ships as we arrived at the Sunda strait. Admittedly it was a little after many of the other Clipper boats but our spirits have remained high. The sight of the sleeping Krakato and its regularly smoking son was awesome especially as we passed it at sunset and the glow, shapes and magic of the eruption were delicious. We are now heading up the strait which calls for a different type of vigilance. A keen watch will be kept throughout the night for Shipping traffic and oil rigs as well as the lobster pots and debris of real life. We are all having a blast and delighted to be on Lady Qing. Watch out Jamaica we’re still out to get you.
Kay Thomas
Psychiatrist
From The Qingdao clinic

1. Vicky Maskell, Melton Mowbray, UK 13 January 2008

Keep chasing Jamiaca… and so so SOO pleased Oscar’s geography degree has finally got a mention… he loved it so, oh yes he did....

2. Kevin Bowers, Hong Kong 14 January 2008

Hurry up to Batam Lady Qing, Gary’s Bintang’s getting warm ! Gary, see you in Batam Friday morning (after you’d had a good wash) ! Jenkins, Bennett and Nicolle joining us in Batam Friday evening. Devonald joining us in Sing on Saturday. Bring it on !

The Silver Fox

3. Jen, Neil, Cammy and Kirsty, Glasgow 14 January 2008

Come on guys. There are 3 top Scottish chefs waiting for you in Singapore and we’re hoping they can teach Uncle Christian to cook something other than spam and beetroot pasta. In the meantime get someone else to steer the ship!!! Lots of love xx

4. meg kiff, newport pagnell 15 January 2008

hello daddy please beat quingdow!!!!!!!!!!bye bye
love megan

5. Jules & Jackie, Glasgow 16 January 2008

Nearly there Qingdao. You 4 guys in the blog photo look as though you’re not sure which way to go. Was that the problem?
Jen and Neil, I hope you’re not mocking the spam and beetroot pasta I taught Christian to make when he was a little boy. Top Scottish chefs indeed! All my love, Christian’s Mum xx

6. Pamela, Israel 16 January 2008

Hi XinMin,

Am following the race. Hope you are well and enjoying the race.
Keep fighting! I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Good luck to the whole crew!
Pamela

7. Jane, Adlington,UK 16 January 2008

Hi Kay, Following the progress of the Qingdao with interest and jealousy. We may have alcohol and ice cubes here but we also have stress, floods and NHS directives! Go Qingdao!

8. Rob the Merlin-of-Clyde Survivor, Bristol, UK 16 January 2008

Hello Steve you old Pirate!

Sounds like you’re having a good time (guano incidents notwithstanding...).

If my terribly hazy memories of Chicago 2004 serve me right, it must be your birthday around about now, so happy birthday mate! Pretty impressive way to celebrate it huh? Perhaps you’ll have gotten past Jamaica too…

Not much to report in “the office” - well, I’ve changed jobs (shock) and the old firm is shedding staff again (no shock, very unlikely to be a worry to us engineer types methinks!)

Anyway, I very much hope you get this short burble, apologies I’ve not contacted before now (arguing with a toddler is very time consuming...) but I *have* been keeping up with the race.

Happy Birthday,

Rob at coffee-cat dot org

9. sacha eddington, old blighty london 17 January 2008

Yo Vee & Carlo
i hope the seas are treating you well - 7 days with a spinnaker = nice sailing! i bet the trimming skills are being bested at that rate = better than having the storm jib up for 7 days though:-) Congrats on finishing this leg.
Big hugs to all on board and watch out for cockroaches in Qingdoa!
Sach

10. karole, virgin gorda, bvi 18 January 2008

Congrats on making it to singapore! Enjoy the shower and the slings! Gary, great hearing from you and glad to hear spirits are still high . Keep having fun!

11. Maurice Pearce, Devon 20 January 2008

Well Done you guys and gals
Have a good long rest and get ready to head for our home port. It would be fantastic to make a podium place. I’m sure you give your all.
All the Best

Mole

12. Janet Presant-Collins, Milton Keynes 27 January 2008

Ni Hao Qingdao. Wishing you all the best for the race home. Will get Julian to wear the good luck charm daily to add to your good fortune. Perhaps the past present & future crew could too. He’s so looking forward to joining you in Santa Cruz. Thinking of you all and keeping watch on the website. Janet xx

13. gary,Lin,Erin, isle of wight 27 January 2008

Well done all,specially happy phil hanover,see you soon good luck mate

14. Jake French, Edinburgh 29 January 2008

Oscar babes, so nice to speak to you the other day! Sounds as though you’re having an amzing time, sad I cant be with you.

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