Crew Blog

Joining westernaustralia2011.com as a “Legger”

03 May 2008

westernaustralia2011.com's crew go to great lengths to get the perfect shot

Having only been on board the BBB for a week and being one of only two for whom this is our first, and sadly our only leg, I thought I would inform you of the experience (an experience is putting it mildly!).

Firstly, the WA crew and boat are quite unique; a permanent mother, 9 round the worlders, the will to do anything just for a good photo, the yellow bucket, and a fully stocked and frequently visited cinema. Secondly, the fact that there are so many round the worlders and also the likes of Stuart and Pete who have returned to the mother ship after time away means that as “a legger” you are made immediately at home and the atmosphere on board is relaxed and entertaining while still being geared to winning races with the now large number of “experienced” sailors on board. It is also very encouraging that as one of the younger generation on what is a slightly “more mature” boat I was informed that it was always the young ones who break things and generally cause havoc. This therefore means that there is relatively little pressure due to the low expectations, and I also feel reassured that Mr Fix It (Martin) will only pretend to be annoyed and will in fact be relishing the opportunity to mend and tinker with any problem created!!!

With each day blurring into the next and time flying by, what I imagined to be a marathon feels in fact like a sprint with every day bringing new excitement, positional changes (good and bad) and albums full of “artistic” photos in order to gain the much coveted Henri Lloyd vouchers! All in all it is an incredible experience and come Jamaica I will be sad to pack my bags and very jealous of those joining for the final journey home.

Jack Stratton

P.S. If you are hoping that a month on board will allow you to shed a few pounds, I’m sorry to say that with Billy in the galley… not a chance!

1. Eileen, Tulare, California 04 May 2008

Hi guys - reading Young Jack’s blog its good to know things are just as good and you are having fun. I’m missing the boats, but have seen some amazing stuff in California. A bit anxious now about my passage planning as you are 7th - but its still early days and we all know its not over yet. Take care, fly fast and keep happy. Being on the BBB was the best. Love eileen PS hope to see you in Cork

2. Stratton Family, Dorset 04 May 2008

Jacko
Sounds like the Big Belly is holding you back !
We are punting on your battle hardened crew to take the others by suprise, especially if you get some real wind.
Good luck ,our eyes are on you all.
Claire, peter et al.

3. Anne Williams, Perth WA 05 May 2008

Good on you Jack and Sharon and other leggers- sounds like you’re all having a lot of fun- I’m very jealous. Work hard play hard is a good motto. You’ll be as sorry as I was to get off at the end of the race to catch up (what the BBB does best!) Love to ALL on board - with only 40 miles to the leader keep to the plan and trim trim trim!!! Keep SAFE love and hugs Anne xxxxxxx

4. David Mossop, Perth, WA 06 May 2008

Hi Jack,
We are closely following this leg and have high expectations that your contribution will put the boat back in pole position !
Enjoy the ride and all the best from the Perth Mossops.

5. Emily Stratton, London 06 May 2008

Hi Jacko,
Lovely to hear from you on the blog page - sounds like things on board are pretty sweet - what a result that you have such a good cook on board - tuck in I say - don’t want you coming back looking like those guys who row the channel and lose half their bodyweight. Good luck and have FUN. Nick hopes your guns are not getting too big.

love Em x

p.s - I can’t be sure but think all the references to “trimming” is a nautical term and not a reference to your facial hair?!

6. Steve Sharpe, UK 07 May 2008

Great blog Jack, and very useful as well.

Steve

7. Edward Stratton, London 07 May 2008

Well done Crocket,
Sounds like things are going swimmingly on board...keep up the good work in the bow(?) and fingers crossed that the wind blows up!
If you get a hance can you remind me how it plays out from here, i read that Hull/Humber won the race but presumably there’s another one from Panama to Jamaica?
Sail hard and i hope the rest of the crew appreciate how lucky they are that you’re not doing any cooking…
Lol
Ed xxx

8. Alice Cave, Ibarra, Ecuador 07 May 2008

Jack!!
So good to hear from you! Sounds like all�s going well and you�re having an absolutely brilliant time! Photos are great.
Hope you got the other message I posted, been in touch with Vikki and the reason the previous ones weren�t published was because I�d written my Ecuador number in them.
All�s well here, teaching is great.. moved onto days of the week and weather today!
Not much else to report I don�t think.. there�s a �bautizo�(baptism) in the village on Saturday, 2 pigs and a few guinea pigs to be killed and then eaten for dinner afterwards! Then the �fiesta� starts at 7, according to Alan it�ll be an all nighter, with lots of distilled sugar cane consumed!
I�m checking the website everytime I get to the internet, even though it takes about an hour to load each individual blog, photo etc.. it�s worth it!
Have fun and keep causing havoc!
Speak when you get to Panama,
All love, Alice xxxxxxxx

9. Stratton family, UK 09 May 2008

Well Done WA! Enjoy the break in Panama and then give it your very best for the sprint to Jamaica. We are with you in spirit all the way. Keep sending those blogs. We love receiving them and getting a glimpse of your experiences. Good Luck from us all
Claire and all the Strattons

10. Stratton family, UK 09 May 2008

Hi Jacko. Well done getting safely to Panama and I hope you aren’t disappointed with your position. It was a terrific achievement. If you get a chance, do try to telephone us before you set off again. We leave for Mozambique on Thurs 15 so it would be very nice to hear before then. Very good blog. Thanks and lots of love. xxxx M

11. George Stratton, Stour Row 12 May 2008

Well done Crocket, I hope you can take a slight break whilst you motor to Panama! We’ll be keeping a close eye on your progress on ‘the other side’, hopefully you can claim some good points…

Looking forward to seeing you soon, Cuzzer x

12. Alice Cave, Ibarra, Ecuador 20 May 2008

Hi hi hiiiii,
Hope you�re having a speedy race to Jamaica. Have got everything crossed and sending you masses of good luck. I�m positive WA will dominate.. I hope the weather and wind are as they should be. We�ve got proper torrential rain here, it actually hurts to go outside!
Not much to report since Sunday.. just 2 average days at the school and not a lot of food.. pretty standard! Don�t panic, we�re off to raid Supermaxi in a min!
Anyway really hope all�s going well and I can�t wait to chat on Thursday.
Sail like a �pato�!! Love you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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