Crew Blog

A letter home

08 October 2007

westernaustralia2011.com's Jude Lawrence wears two bowls of pasta sauce

Dear Doris,

It may be just as well that you were unable to accompany me on this cruise. It is not at all like the QM2 we went on last year. I think I should have read brochure more closely but when I saw the cost of the passage I assumed it must be a first class cruise ship. However, my cabin is rather small with not even a porthole, no ensuite and my bed has not been made up once. There is no air conditioning and the current temperature in my cabin is 34 degrees!

On-deck activities are limited to the occasional exercise class supervised by the captain and this other game called yacht racing. I must be pretty good at yacht racing because after the first time I tried it I was selected to play for the “dark watch” team and invited to play against “stormy watch” team. I got invited to play again and again and again. We play single four-hour games one day and two four-hour games the next. We even play at night. Two three-hour games every night.

I’m a bit worried about the ship’s navigator because we don’t seem to be going in a straight line. The ship keeps changing course by about 90 degrees time after time.

We haven’t visited at any nice places yet. We slowed down and in fact stopped at the Canary Islands for several days. Many of the passangers were very ready to disembark to find a suitable drinking establishment but, alas, the winds of change intervened and we headed off towards the Cape Verde Islands. I was looking forward to stopping there but it seems that we inadvertently cruised right past when we all got totally engrossed in the new on-deck game tactics introduced by stormy watch called “round up”. Our team retaliated with a “spinnaker wrap” but then true to form stormy watch resorted to dirty tactics. The referee sent off the stormy watch helmsman, the infamous Johnboy, for a “death roll” which resulted in poor Judy who was off the field at the time, on mother watch, wearing two bowls of hot pasta.

I don’t particularly like these tactics so when I’m next invited to dine at the captain’s table I think I’ll advise him that I would like to retire from these rough night games.

Roger Lee, Esquire

1. Dad K, Cottesmore 08 October 2007

Urgently require details of death roll. Is it suitable for use with grandchildren? Will a settee be an acceptable substitute for practice? Will JB be allowed to return? Please bring forward next week’s thrilling instalment.

2. Graham & hazel, Tenterden,Kent.uk 08 October 2007

Rough night games !!!!!!! tell your skipper that Vic might be reading these blogs.
Take care Graham & Hazel

3. Rebecca Cole, Worcester 08 October 2007

Great blog - keep them coming!

4. Pam Rothfield, Melbourne 08 October 2007

Great shot Jude! So what was for dessert?
Love Pam

5. Graham & hazel, Tenterden,Kent.uk 09 October 2007

Have just heard on the grapevine that our son is skippering a cruise ship
to Australia and beyond.
Have booked two tickets in a first class en suite cabin.
We will not be taking part in any of the day or night deck games.
Shall expect to dine at the captains table.
Regards.

6. Glenda Densley, Warragul, Victoria, Australia 09 October 2007

I bet Lyn Condra didn’t have a hand in disposing of the 2 bowls of pasta! Poor Jude. I hope the crew made Lyn a sponge and popped the bubbly for the five 0. Hope you are travelling safe and keeping everyone on their toes. Love reading the updates, pics and videos - it’s just like you’re around the corner!

7. Anne Williams, Marseile, France 09 October 2007

Pleased to see that Billy has been able to maintain her standards of dress by keeping her pearls on, even if Judy was forced to wear pasta! Great blogs and photos guys. Happy Birthday Lynn.
Keep up the good work and look after yourselves- all still to play for!! Anne

8. Stu Robinson, Cheshire 09 October 2007

hey W.A.
awesome news on you guys taking 6th position. good work to you all. good to hear life onboard is all groovey, stay happy and safe

9. Martin, Dubai 10 October 2007

Now we are talking!!! It seems like you have found a much better trim when the boats in parallel with you. Keep up the good speed!

Chris, we have not seen a single word from you in the blog� What happened over there?

Martin and Sophie

10. Nomes, Geelong, Australia 10 October 2007

Oh poor Judy! Least it wasnt the meat and 3 veg in yor face! Am busting for when you’re in ph service range again Nett. This clipper ‘checking up on’ is getting addictive! xo

11. Graham & hazel, Tenterden,Kent.uk 10 October 2007

Changed our minds about the cruise.....
decided to stay at home and watch the race instead.
It’s getting so exciting day by day watching the big blue boat
steaming ahead to Salvador.You are catching up.
We are following your progress every day. Go~Go~Go W A.
Love Mum and Dad x x
P.S. It was great to hear your voice on the audio clip.

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