Crew Blog

Respect to the leggers

03 December 2007

”But you’re only a legger,” remarked a work colleague when I informed him where I would be for the next month. “Yes,” I replied, “But a Southern Ocean legger.” Respect was restored.

After four or five days of reasonably strong winds we have found ourselves in heaven – sufficient wind to average ten knots, calmish seas, clear blue skies, wildlife galore and time to recuperate, repair and prepare for the next onslaught – due tonight.

During the first four days out of Durban we damaged the no. 1 Yankee in fairly hairy conditions – this was a rude awakening of what we had signed up to. Vee has worked incessantly to repair it and celebrated its re-hoist yesterday.

Meantime we have been heading south-east, further south than the fleet, and were rewarded with infrequent spottings of whales, dolphins, flying fish and the ever-shadowing albatross. At night the phosphorescence is awesome – dolphins look like torpedoes and schools of fish, avoiding the hull, scatter like a fireworks finale.

Two nights ago we smelt fish. Not just the waft of a chippy down the street, more the stench of Billingsgate Market at 4am. Immediately, the cry went out, “Iceberg alert – John on the bow, eyes peeled, everyone alert.” I felt alive.

All the best to those at 55 Bishopsgate and all love to BOGIM.

Charlie

1. Francis Bretveld, Almere 03 December 2007

Dear all,

Be aware but above all enjoy the adventure!
We follow you, especially our John Turner.
Greetings from Holland, Francis Bretveld

2. Belinda Burgess, home team 03 December 2007

Respect to all you leggers. Keep blowing south and hold on tight!
Love BOGIM

3. JT, Helsby Cheshire 03 December 2007

Qingdao Crew & Martin K.
Keep up the good work, we are glued to the six hourly reports, looking forward to seeing Qingdao in first place.
Keep it up, keep pushing hard and most of all keep safe.
JT, Bex Andrew & Georgia

4. jean, Boroughbridge 03 December 2007

Keep it up Qingdao, you are doing great. Watching every day to see how things are going. Glad to hear you have a little respite to catch up on everything. Keep safe all of you. David, everyone sends their love, thinking of you. Love Mum & Dadxx

5. Derren, Colchester,UK 03 December 2007

Full respect to all of, regardless of “just a legger” or not. Fantastic sailing guys and gals.

6. anthony burgess, newport shropshire 04 December 2007

Charlie, you will have to write a book but it brought back happy memories of the previous leg, torpedoes and phosphorescence; but what do you know about Billingsgate at 4.00am? great stuff; keep up the good work; sail safe, sail fast, and our love M&D;

7. Ian Bebbs, Shropshire/Notts 04 December 2007

Hi Martin K! Couldnt belive it when I heard off JT! Brings a whole new meaning to “High Side Left”! Keep it up and must get in touch when you are back home!
Ian,Sam Becky and Fox Bebbington

8. 'The Badger's' Mum & Dad, Ardleigh Essex 04 December 2007

Go Go Qingdao!!!! you’re all doing a fantastic job.Try to get a podium place so that you can get the Lady Qing out of the water ASAP and have a break for Christmas. See you all for fun in Freo, GOOD LUCK MARCUS & CREW. Love Mum & Dad

9. Sarah Paul, Buenos Aires 04 December 2007

Sounds great Charlie - keep going ! No sign of any ducks yet !! Hugo very pleased with your progress - School computing class was treated to a show - Yr 3 now checking on Quingdao regularly !!
lol Sis xoxox

10. Rahul, Bombay, India 05 December 2007

Charlie,

wow! sounds incredible and makes me want to be a legger (not that i know anything about sailing)! Hope someone has a camera.

Qingdao can win this, wishing your team the best, try not to fall off!

Rahul

11. tim wood, pietermaritzburg south africa 05 December 2007

just a legger!! what an opportunity, make the most of it! sail safely!

12. sietze haan, almere 05 December 2007

Good to see the Qingdao in a good position. Keep on the good work.
Enjoy this thrilling and admirable leg.
John T: I am happy to have received your postcard. I hope my positive vibes will reach your yacht!

Sietze

13. Dave Lansley, On the run from K2 security staff from Royal Bolto 05 December 2007

Big Martin K and Qingdao,
Great work, you must be insight of the leader now, switch on the diesel inboard for 20mins and I’m sure you can take the lead, no one need ever know!!

Oh yes, the blogs are great from the supporters and the reports from the crew are also good, although not as frequent as I would like, but we seem to be lacking in any recent photo’s.
Now C’mon I want some recent action photo’s on the website soon other wise how will you proove that you actually did it, let’s be honest, I could go to the sunbed shop for a couple of weeks then return with a tan claiming I’d been round the world in a yacht but who would believe me unless I could back it up with some serious photographic proof.

If there are no new photo’s on the site by the start of next week, I’m going to start spreading the rumour that you are not at sea but in fact on a booze run to france in a transit van snapping up cheap bargains ready for Crimbo.

Dave the secret keeper.

14. Tash, Josh & Jega, Harrogate 06 December 2007

Good going, Qingdao. Half the journey completed, keep your spirits up, Christmas time awaits you all in sunny Fremantle, unlike in the UK. Take care, David. Love, Josh, Tash & Jega

15. karen, ripon 06 December 2007

‘better a bad day on the ocean than a good day in the office’…
Go, Qingdao, go - thinking of you all, especially David. xxx

16. pat shovlin, big cornelius 06 December 2007

how do
Qingdao

well the crew seems to have all the wind they need,because you lot are really shifting .
keep it up.oh mart noticed all the old hypolon rubber boys are getting a bit onthe high side.maybe we could all get together splice the what’s it’s thingy on cracking race !

pat .tina. joe

17. Alan Smith, Leeds 06 December 2007

Ching Dow & Chris,

Keep up the good work guys&gals;. Chris - We’re always thinking of you.....

Love, Al, Lisa and Benjamin.

18. Laura and Ellie, Manchester 06 December 2007

hi dad
come on dad you are over half way there. The big weather is coming so see how fast you
can make this boat go. Is it cold there hope you are wearing your thermals.
love you lots
laura xxx ellie sends a kiss x
p.s. hurry up so you do not have to be mother again.

19. cathy piggott, Doha, Qatar 06 December 2007

Qingdao Skipper and Crew great work. Thanks Charlie for the insight into what you are experiencing. Safe journey
Cathy

20. Phil and Nicky Hobbs, Exeter 07 December 2007

What great progress Quingdao. Huge well done to all of you. Good luck from all Exeter supporters. Keep safe, and big hug to Christopher.

21. Eleanor Owen, Heath Mount School, Watton-at-Stone 07 December 2007

These are some messages from year 1:

We loved reading your message. We think you are the best sailor in the whole wide world. We hope you win and, we will give you good luck. We are thinking about you.

Get a photo on your profile so we can point at you on the white board! Lots of luck, Eleanor (&Emma;!?)

22. Rom, London 07 December 2007

The point of view makes the captain the captain and the ledger the ledger. The crew at 55 Bishopsgate wishes you all the best out there! Enjoy your time, be safe out there, and we look forward to hearing all the tales.

23. Darren Bowles, Perth, Western Australia 07 December 2007

Big M - Give us a shout when you are almost at Freo - and I’ll get the barbie on !

Good Luck to all your crew. A big push now and you will win the race to Freo, (which is a great place to be).
From
Darren,Debbie,Rebecca & Sophie

24. Jules & Jackie, Glasgow 07 December 2007

The miles between Qingdao and the leader are reducing every 6 hours---it is so exciting! I can imagine the crew all striving so hard to take the lead. Come on Qingdao-a big push - be safe- be 1st. Christian’s Mum xx

25. Dave, The Moon 07 December 2007

Big Martin & Qingdao,
Hi, thought I would send you a mail from the Moon, yes it’s true!! I arrived yesterday in my newly built record breaking space craft, which I made using only lollypop sticks, dental floss and a nutcracker.
From taking off to landing the whole trip only lasted 2mins 32 seconds, I was quicker that the speed of light which was amazing because I landed then actually watched my self arrive, I looked great!
Unfortunatley like yourselves I have no pictures to prove that I have done it, so you will just have to take my word for it!!

Cheers, Dave.
Ps:-Could you throw a couple of cases of Lager and a few bottles of nice Shiriaz Cabernet in the back of the transit for me, I’ll pay you when you get home!!

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