Crew Blog

Dreaming of Midway…

09 March 2008

westernaustralia2011.com's Paul hears an almighty bang

After two weeks at sea I now feel like a fully fledged member of the westernaustralia2011.com crew; I am now sporting a ‘Knox-Johnston’ beard, am regularly applying my head to the top of the watertight door frame, and have broken one mast. Yes, it was me. I was helming and whilst coaxing the fair ship westernaustralia2011.com to an ear flapping 4.1 knots, something went twang and the top of the mast met the side of the hull in a most graceful arc. The rest is history and well documented, so we’re now hobbling our way to Midway Island under stormsails (mainly because they are the biggest sails we can put up with half a mast). Life on board has become a little boring since there are no sails to change, no race winning tactics to discuss or much of anything to do except eat and sleep, so we’re all dreaming of what will await us at Midway. Personally, I’m expecting a good American welcome, Hershey Bars and a steak. If the Chief BBQ Chef of Midway Island is reading this, medium rare please. With a Red Hook if you’ve got any.

All in all, an outrageous few days.

Paul

1. Sister Sue, Aberdeenshire 10 March 2008

So..Paul..you are taking the blame? Why? Herschy bars and medium steaks? Tell me what is wrong with Billy’s “rat-in-a-can"stew, fresh nut and fruit bread and home-made soup? I wish you all a safe trip to Midway and the joys of U.S. hospitality - take care meantime.
Love and hugs to you all xxxxxxx

2. Mike, Seattle 10 March 2008

Well Paul, Chief BBQ, if there is such a silly person, most likely resides in the Carribean, so you will have a bit more sailing to do for those steaks. Midway, on the other hand, being an American island, will most like welcome you with corndogs, twinkies and Mt. Dew, just like grandma used to make. Plenty of Red Hook on hand here in Seattle if you make it this far. Safe travels!

3. Jadranka Lota, Maidenhead, UK 11 March 2008

How was it your fault? It sounds that the mast died of shock in light winds… Or it just didn’t want to go to Alaska! Mmmmm… Stake… medium… i know what I am having for my dinner now. Don’t worry Billy, I am looking forward to your cooking too

4. Nicolas & Yuko, Paris, France 11 March 2008

Pants! Confound it! Sacrebleu! Paul, I guess you had something eggy… anyway, we are glad you are all OK. The team spirit seems intact, and the spirits are up, which is great. All the best! Safe traveling to Midway and then to Hawaii and beyond! Keep in touch!

5. Sandra, Melbourne Australia 16 March 2008

Hey Paul

Don’t feel bad you were at the helm, sounds like the damage was done before you took over you were just the unlucky bunny there when it blew. Sounds like the race to get to Hawaii has taken on new meaning best of luck getting there in time to fix things and to be able to continue racing to Santa Cruz. Enjoy your steak if you can get it.

woo hoo

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