Crew Blog

The long awaited blog - 19 September 2007

19 September 2007

After leaving Liverpool’s Albert Dock on Sunday to the rousing cheers of the crowd, brass fanfare, and huge arcs of water from the escorting fireboat, it took only an hour of racing before we were beating into the wind in rolling seas in the pouring rain as we tacked back and forth out of the narrow Mersey river channel. We spent the night pondering the six or so navigation lights visibile around us, wondering who was who and where we stood over all.

Since then, racing conditions have been varied but always strong enough to keep us busy. Today, however, we’ve been becalmed since before dawn, drifting and sometimes even doing 360s when lack of water flow over our rudder leaves us helpless to even point the boat where we want. This afternoon we’ve just learned that forecasted lack of wind has caused the race to called at our current position at midnight UTC. With only Qingdao visible 1/2 mile behind us, we’ll do our best to hold her off for the remaining seven hours of racing left. After that, we’ll motor in the remaining 120 so miles to La Rochelle.

With the lack of wind, the prevailing sound today has been periodic bursts laughter above and below decks. Clearly we all are enjoying each other.

1. Baz, Basingstoke 19 September 2007

Glad you are having a marvellous time on board. Haven’t taken my eyes of the website since Sunday night. Almost doing 3-hour watches before looking for an update
All the best for the last few hours and look forward to talking to you soon.

Baz and family xxx

2. ashley ryan, liverpool 19 September 2007

arrr hull and humber won i wanted liverpool 08 to win :(

3. andrew preedy, Houma LA USA 19 September 2007

Hi all,

Good to hear that everyone is in good spirits. Keep smiling it will pay dividends.
Keep My little Brother on his toes.

Enjoy La Rochelle.

Andy and the rest of the Preedy’s

4. Surianis, Singapore 20 September 2007

Especially for my dear hubby, Hizam

All of us back home are very proud of you and the Uniquely Singapore team. Keep on going..and have fun!

Will always pray for you and the crew..

Can’t wait to hear from you!

Love
anis

5. Susan Dierauf, portland, OR 20 September 2007

Hi Dad!
Thinking of you and hoping the start of the adventure is going well!
lots of love from the Portland gang

6. Borglin, ca, usa 20 September 2007

Go Uniquely Singapore! There is lots of wind in California, we’ll try to send some your way.

Great to hear everything is OK and that you are (mostly) moving in the correct direction

...and great to hear there is laughter on board.

Hi Grampa/Dad/Bob!!!! lots of love, the Borglin clan

7. Chris, Singapore 20 September 2007

Hey team, keep the spirits up, we’ve got a great crew!

All of us in Singapore are real excited and keeping in touch with the race via the website. Wish there was a satellite tracking camera to see you guys!

We are having a bbq next week to send off Kok Siong who is the next to go. Hizam, we’ll eat more satays on your behalf!

God speed!

Chris

8. Margaret Ridings, Lancashire 20 September 2007

Congratulations to everyone at end of first leg, been watching your progress on web site every day and can’t wait for the next leg. Special hello and well done to big brother Dave C on Durban am very proud of you and all the crew.

Love and god speed

Mags

9. Judith Warman, Aylesbury 20 September 2007

Hi Angie and all on Singapore!
Everyone at home and at AGS watching your every move! Lots more photo’s, blogs and videos please! Enjoy!
Love Jude

10. j r ford, manchester 20 September 2007

Glad to hear you are all having a great time- what a experience - I am exhausted plotting your progress since Liverpool ,but I bet I am not as exhausted as you all are !!! Can relax now till Sunday thinking of you all having a few beers and enjoying the delights of La Rochelle. Keep smiling, you are all doing brilliantly.

Just a personal note to John, trust you had a great birthday last Monday, we were thinking of you lots of love - Mum, Dad. Caroline, Mike and all the clan xxxxx

All keep safe, keep smiling, and most of all enjoy the experience that we land lovers can only dream of !!!!

11. miao, singapore 20 September 2007

hey hey, good to see everyone sailing in shorts!! i’m really proud to be part of team Singapore and can’t wait to join in the laugh-a-thon! all the best & take care guys!

cheerios,
miao

12. geraldine forshew, London 20 September 2007

Great to hear your news Singapore - we’ve been avidly following your progress, glad that everybody is happy (the pic confirms this!!!!!) and that you’ll soon be in La Rochelle enjoying a beer - you deserve one (or more)!!
Lots of love to you all and a big kiss for Anna
Gerry & Ianxxxx

13. Mikey Eeles, Basingstoke UK 20 September 2007

Good luck for leg 2 guys. I liked the video of you guys leaving liverpool. could hear my dad loud and clear shouting go preedy.

Have fun and travel safe.

Mike Eeles
(Barry Eeles’s son)

14. Annette Pursey, Buckingham 20 September 2007

Great to hear that you are all enjoying yourselves - shame about the lack of wind - plenty here if you want it! Have become completely obsessed with watching the race viewer , videos etc on this fantastic web site. Well done!

15. Elaine + Phil, Gnosall, Stafford 20 September 2007

Hi Terry + team
We have been watching your progress with great interest, it is almost like being with you, but in the comfort of our own home. We are keeping in touch with Jane. Good luck to you all for the next leg and take care of yourselves - Go Singapore. Luv Elaine + Phil x

16. Magdalene, Singapore 20 September 2007

hi, Jeanne!!!
Just want you to know that we are praying for you every night and waiting for you to come home to share all about this special experience!
take gd care of urself and drop mom a sms whenever you can ya?

love,
your family

17. Jane, Berkhamsted 20 September 2007

Have been following progress of Uniquely Singapore since Sunday, so exciting to watch via website, I am now totally hooked - hope spirits are high. Enjoy rest at La Rochelle ready for Leg 2. Good luck to all crew and special hug for Terry.
Love
Jane x

18. stefan, portland, Or 20 September 2007

Go Gramps! You rule!

19. angelo, berlin 20 September 2007

hi all,
wellcome in france. remeber to buy marine knives at the Farol factory in la rochelle!!!
and don’t drink too much french wine before delivering to brasil!!!
angelo

20. Beccy, Swansea. South Wales 21 September 2007

Well done guys.Waiting for the next update is addictive. I’m shattered and i’m not even on the boat. hehe. Hope your all ok and not too sea sick.(Marlena) Keep smiling!!

21. Jim Crooks, Hampshire 21 September 2007

Hi everyone. I too have found a new addiction - lucky I will be joining you next year to ease the withdrawal symptoms - you won’t believe how addictive that race viewer is. We are all rooting for you every inch of the way. Keep up the good work, have fun and go fast and safe. Jim

22. Roz, Berkhamsted 21 September 2007

Hi Terry and team Uniquely Singapore

Glad you’ve safely made the first step over to La Rochelle - hope you’re all enjoying your feet on terra firma before the next long haul. Have you got them all singing The Ballad of Uniquely Singapore yet Terry?! Good Luck with the next leg and stay safe
Roz x

23. Michelle, Rick and Emily, Wendover 21 September 2007

Hi Angela!

I’m keeping an eye on your progress and reporting back to Miche - get some pictures put up so I can show her what you’re doing!

Love Miche, Rick and Ems

24. Terry Hughes, London 21 September 2007

Glad to hear the crew is in good spirits. Just the sort Mark would appreciate. Best of luck for the next leg. From the Hughes Family.

25. Sally, London 21 September 2007

Congratulations Singers on completing the first race.
I was a crew member on the last race & well recall the feeling of elation as we arrived in Cascais.
Hope the Deep Clean is behind you now & there’s time to enjoy the sunshine.
Good luck for the start on Sunday!

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