Crew Blog

On to the Cape

11 November 2007

Qingdao surfing down south Atlantic waves

We are now less than 100 miles from Cape Agulhas (or Cape Aguilera as it is more commonly know around these parts) and are expecting to round it tonight. Sadly our rounding the Cape whisky has already leapt to its death in the galley, oddly during a relatively calm patch. However, luckily we have managed to find some homemade sloe gin instead, as we are pretty refined on Qingdao!

As today is Remembrance Day we too had our two minutes’ silence. It was a slightly strange experience taking part in something with the rest of the country, knowing that your friends and family will be doing exactly the same thing as you, and yet you are in the middle of the ocean and feel very far removed from the real world.

We have experienced a broad range of weather over the past few days. A couple of nights ago it got pretty gnarly again as Christian set a new boat speed record of more than 17 knots. I am thinking of becoming a bowgirl now, as again Oscar just seemed to sit out on the pole enjoying the dolphins as Christian battled the waves on the helm and we bundled the spinnaker away. Since then we have had a frustrating time, as the winds have dropped where we are, allowing the other boats to make good ground on us. We are expecting a pretty exciting sprint up the coast to Durban, as the boats bunch up together around the Cape and we all fight it out for those elusive podium spots.

And finally, the good news of the day…. We believe that the Southern Cross has now been unequivocally identified. Thank **** for that – we can finally talk about something new!

Nicole

1. Abi Hall - Leg 7, Sunny but cold Birmingham 12 November 2007

Congratulations on your new boat speed record, keep that speed up to Durban and I’ll personally bring you a crate of the good stuff (champagne of course, Lady Qing and her crew deserve the best!)

You may feel far removed from the real world, but you are not far removed from our thoughts and best wishes. Keep it going - you are doing great!

2. Butty & Jo, Polperro, Cornwall,UK. 12 November 2007

Go Qingdao!!!..We’re sure there is a podium place inthe offing for you!! Just think of the extra time in the bar if you get there first!! Don’t forget to feed the badger, and someone pass him a comb and a razor, standards old chap!

3. Susan & Rod, Huddersfield 13 November 2007

Lets hope the sloe gin doesn’t slow you down! Come on Qingdao we want to see you on he podium. Get your battle suits on and fight all the way to Durban. Sue and Rod

4. David Paulsen, Washington, DC 13 November 2007

Go Qing baby go - take our friend Carrie to the podium!

5. Derren, Colchester,UK 13 November 2007

Come on Lady Qing, hug that coastline and find that counter current to help you regain that podium finish you so much deserve. And watch out for the sharks.. they can bite back :o)

6. sam kiff, pembs 14 November 2007

Come on qingdao! you can get at least third

Good Luck

7. jean, Boroughbridge 14 November 2007

Keep it going Qingdao. Not far to go now and it would be great to see you get the place you deserve. You have done really well . Nice to talk yesterday David, everyone sends their love. Thinking of you, Mum and Dadxx

8. karen, dartford 15 November 2007

Greetings from cold but sunny Dartford! Qingdao you are nearlty there - find that wind and fly past the rest! Thinking of you all, especially David x

9. Ryan, London 15 November 2007

Christian, heard that you’re doing well setting boat speed records etc. I know that Oz is on your itinerary, if you’re there as soon as the end of Nov give me a call! Cheers, Ryan PS Dray says hi!

10. Susan & Rod, Huddersfield 15 November 2007

Come on, come on, come on Qingdao. You are nearly there. Sue and Rod x

11. Maclaren Family, PARTON 15 November 2007

Well done Oscar,if you stay out front you should reach thr beer first!
Chaz

12. mike, Langthorpe 16 November 2007

Well done !!!!!! . Fantastic . Can’t wait till you set off again, i am glued.
What do i do in the mean time .
You deserve the rest and we will being cheering you on to Fremantle.
Mike.Grace & James

13. Jules & Jackie, Glasgow 16 November 2007

Hurray - you’ve arrived after some battle Well done to you all. Christian phone home.xx

14. kay, Cheshire 16 November 2007

Well done everyone! Enjoy Durban and wives, husbands, friends etc.
Kay

15. MAUREEN KIFF, Pembrokeshire 16 November 2007

Well done Marcus and crew of that wonderful Lady Qingdao So very proud to be associated with you all What a race! But it’s the playing not the winning that’s the reward Have a wonderful time in Durban Love to all especially Ant

16. David Paulsen, Washington, DC 16 November 2007

Congratulations to Carrie and her crew on an exciting finish. Sorry you didn’t make the podium but well done anyway - you led the pack for 8 days!! We’re all very proud of you and so happy you made it swiftly and safely to port.

17. karole, nyc 17 November 2007

Congratulations on your second atlantic crossing! Enjoy your time and the luxuries (cold beer, hot showers etc) that terra firma offers! x

18. Jacob &Meg;Kiff, Newport Pagnell 17 November 2007

Congratulations Dad/Daddy! Have a great time in Durban and we’ll see you at Christmas! Lots of love Jacob & Megan xxxxxxxxxxxxx

19. maurice pearce, devon 18 November 2007

Well Done crewmates!!!!!!!
I’ve just returned home from Falmouth where on Friday night, I raised a glass to you all in “The Chain Locker” (Memories of our run up to Liverpool) Get plenty of rest in readiness for the Off to Freemantle. God Speed, Mole,

20. Maria Blake, Liverpool 19 November 2007

Love to all on board the Qingdao from all your fans at St. Paul’s Junior school ,Liverpool. Enjoy the rest at Durban.

21. Lisa, Knaresborough 21 November 2007

Hi, Go David go , you are all doing so well . Thought you would appreciate a few lessons in sailing lingo by an expert of course. (read on)
Love lisa, matt & Laura xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Amidships - condition of being surrounded by boats.
Anchor - a device designed to bring up mud samples from the bottom at inopportune or unexpected times.

Anchor Light - a small light used to discharge the battery before daylight.

Berth - a little addition to the crew.

Boom - sometimes the result of a surprise jibe.

Bottom Paint - what you get when the cockpit seats are freshly painted.

Chart - a type of map which tells you exactly where you are aground.

Clew - an indication from the skipper as to what he might do next.

Companionway - a double berth.

Dead Reckoning - a course leading directly to a reef.

Deadrise - getting up to check the anchor at 0300.

Deviation - any departure from the Captain�s orders.

Dinghy - the sound of the ship�s bell.

Displacement - when you dock your boat and can�t find it later.

Estimated Position - a place you have marked on the chart where you are sure you are not.

First Mate - crew member necessary for skippers to practice shouting instructions to.

Foul Wind - breeze produced by flying turkey.

22. Lisa, knaresborough 21 November 2007

HI Dave ,

Some more expressions for you to learn. Keep up the good work that apllies to the whole crew. They may help you on the next leg.

Love Lisa xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Freeboard - food and liquor supplied by the owner.

Headway - what you are making if you can�t get the toilet to work.

Heave-Ho - what you do when you�ve eaten too much Ho.

Jibe - either you like it or you don�t and it gets you.

Keel - term used by 1st mate after too much heel by skipper.

Landlubber - anyone on board who wishes he were not.

Latitude - the number of degrees off course allowed a guest.

Mast - religious ritual used before setting sail.

23. Matt Livingston, stafford 22 November 2007

Nice work on the on the previous leg David and the rest of the team, hope your enjoying Durban, and the ability to have a hot shower (which i know i would miss!!)…
Sure you will all do great on the next leg to Australia and good luck !

Matt

24. Maclaren Family, PARTON 23 November 2007

message for Oscar. Add me to your list and i can mail you back.Chaz

25. Jess Moore, Manchester, UK 23 November 2007

Congrats on the race so far! Please look after your new crew mate Zoe for me. When Zoe and I sailed in Croatia she was an excellent crew mate (and also very good at making Pimms - something to look forward to when she’s on mother watch!). Best Wishes to all, Jess x (and Glenda and Peter of course!)
PS When Gary showed us round the boat in Albert Dock he was telling us about his magic silver pants that he could wear for days - how’s that working out?!

Page 1 of 2 pages 1 2 >