Crew Blog

Blow ye wind blow - 10 October 2007

11 October 2007

10 October, Western Australia 2011.com

On deck things have certainly changed since our last report; the sky has grown dark and mysterious with black clouds all around and it actually rained. One crew member was in a lucky position under the reefed main and was only too happy to get drenched - a first in the hair washing department.

We tracked our first squall as it moved from port to starboard, some four miles ahead. Once it had safely cleared our bow, it was replaced by another, and yet another and as the sun was setting, we knew we wouldn’t be able to eye ball them for much longer; thank goodness for radar!

The radar shows squalls all around us here in the ‘doldrums’, lying in sixth place, all feeling much happier with ourselves as we slowly head south and make ground on the others. However, we’re still off the beaten track with no wisps of aeroplanes or ships.

Things on board have settled into a routine, with the odd incident which adds to the excitement such as seeing dolphins and flying fish, some of whom have treated us like an aircraft carrier and actually landed on the deck. We have placed a pair of marigold gloves on the helm to deal with them as these fish smell worse than the proverbial smelly fish. One actually hit the skipper a glancing blow on the side of the head and ended up stopping at the rear end of a crew member leaning over the side, the closest thing to a man overboard we have had.

So on we sail out of these doldrums, with more speed than anticipated , heading for Salvador and all beginning to realise that the first much dreamed about pint is no longer a promise at the end of the rainbow but soon to be a reality. Blow blow yee wind blow.

Clive Frost

1. HARRY MCROBERT, ASHFORD,KENT 11 October 2007

COME ON UNCLE MARTIN AND ALL THE WESTERN AUSTRALIA CREW, NOT FAR TO GO NOW, IF YOU WIN I’LL BUY YOU ALL A CONGRATULATIONS DRINK ON ARRIVAL...OH NO I CAN’T, I’M ONLY FIVE MONTHS OLD!!! WE HAVE ALL BEEN ENJOYING WATCHING YOUR PROGRESS AND WISH YOU ALL A SAFE AND HAPPY LAST FEW DAYS OF THIS LEG OF YOUR ADVENTURE......
GOOD LUCK, LOVE HARRY X

2. Judi, Sydney 12 October 2007

Great to see you are steering full steam ahead Chris! Enjoy reading the daily blogs. Sounds like a great experience. Your mum is stuck to the computer most hours of the day and night. Lucky you are on the high seas and not at home - the twins had been let loose for a week down there! Take care. Judi

3. Ken & Betty Vickery, Gundagai NSW 12 October 2007

How great it will be to have that first pint at Salvador and to see a nice hot shower again.
Regards to all the crew and especially our daughter Chris. Nice photo at the helm Chris.
You are all doing great, lots of experiences we are sure you will remember always
Ken & Betty

4. Jadranka Lota, Maidenhead, Uk 12 October 2007

Good to hear you got some wind finally. New York seems to be stuck just past tihe islands. So go, go, go, go… Looking forward to hearing from you again. Hugs Jadranka
PS. I was looking at the bloggs at work and I happened to read the one with Judy being covered in the sauce (with her photo attached too), and lo and behold all the men in the operating theatre went “Who is she?”; “How well do you know her?” “Is the bikini part of your uniform?”. She definatelly has some fans in Royal County now!

5. Bluebear, Brisbane, Australia 12 October 2007

Fantastic to read, see and hear about everything… keep the updates coming. Be safe Chris(mas) you crazy unit!!

6. Jon Heath, London 12 October 2007

Good to read what is happening. Tell John Kimber we’re following the boat’s progress at his (ex) work. Hope you all enjoy crossing the equator and best of luck for the rest of the leg and the race.

7. Andy Mills, Cambridge 12 October 2007

Go Slicko Go! All going well, now it’s time to pull out all the stops and push on south. am furiously smashing up my egg shells for you: “Never leave your egg shells unbroken in the cup, think of us poor sailormen and always smash ‘em up, for withches come and find them and sail away to sea, adn cause a lot of misery for mariners like me!”
Good luck to you all, and best wishes,
Andy

8. Cheryl, Glen & Edward, Gundagai NSW 13 October 2007

We cant wait to hear all about your big adventure Chris. Loved the photo, pleased to see that familiar grin at the helm. Miss ya,

Love Cheryl

9. Maarten van der Harst, Dubai 13 October 2007

Hi Clive good to hear that all is going fine. Keep up the good sailing and try to make up a few places. While we are enjoying “round the world” in 3 hours with the big cat you are doing the real thing! Keep going before your pint is getting warm!

10. Leanne and Frank, Canberra, Australia 14 October 2007

Go Tine. Nice photo of you at the helm (what are they thinking - don’t they know how you drive????!!!!! ha ha). Your all doing a great job. The food looks great too. Keep smiling. Love Lee xx

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