Crew Blog

Remembrance

26 April 2008

As a huge orange sun crept up into the cloudless blue sky, my thoughts turned to Australia on ANZAC Day. All over Australia, from the big cities to the smallest country towns, thousands of Aussies would be attending dawn services at the “silent sentinels”, those war memorials that feature in the main street of every town. Many more would be gathered at Gallipoli. 25th April 1915 was the date of the disastrous landing at Gallipoli, but it has become Australia’s Remembrance Day, the day we honour all those who have served, or are serving, their country in any military capacity.

The sun rose on a hive of activity on the BBB. Dark Watch, Pete (WL), Lyn, Trudy, Sharon, John & Bruce had the deck. After a night of steady progress under our poled out No2, the wind was easing, and it was time to change gear to the heavy weight spinnaker. It may look a bit tired, given it is stained with blue anti-foul it collected when in the water following our mast crash, but it is a great sail, and it promptly lifted our speed back to10 knots plus.

At watch change and breakfast time we had a belated birthday celebration, cake with candles and a little present, for Stuart. The cake was ready last night, but Stuart had already escaped to bed. Then a minute silence for ANZAC Day. And all the while we headed south at over 10 knots, over 220 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. A great run, with the forecast fair for more high speed runs.

It is great to back at sea, fully rigged and racing.

Bruce Macky

1. Stratton family, UK 26 April 2008

Hello you all! So glad to see WA moving up the board and that you are taking an independant route! Hope the wind speed increases for you. We are following you closely and on a daily basis. Keep Jack working hard! Best of luck to you all.

2. Stu Robinson, Cheshire/Kendal 26 April 2008

hey john.
keep going mate, still right beside you all the way. enjoy it! see you soon big man. your awesome and keep the BBB pushing to first.

3. Matt Matthews, Bicton W.A. 27 April 2008

Keep it going Bruce & crew, it’s good to know that your mast mishaps havn’t dampened your spirit. The whole of W.A.’s with you.
Matt…

4. Paul Loasby, An airconditioned office. 28 April 2008

Last time I saw that spinnaker, it was underneath the boat.

First day back at work today - if I were you, delay this day for as loooong as possible !

5. Kerry Newton, On the Clyde 28 April 2008

Hope the speed keeps up and the sail changes effortless, all the birthday cake eaten.

6. Rick Palmer, Perth Western Australia 28 April 2008

Gutsy move hugging the shore line! Here is hoping coastal breezes and land lifts materialise. That is the sort of thing we’d expect off the coast of Western Australia. Maybe there will even be a friendly current. Keep concentrating and keep safe.

Cheers

Rick

7. Kerry, Brisbane 29 April 2008

Brilliant photo and sunset - just as well I was not there. Would have filled another memory card and still not known where it was. Watching the sun rise on ANZAC Day over the Pacific at Caloundra, as I did, really does not compare at all! Very glad to hear you observed ANZAC Day silence. My minute was spent trying to focus on ANZACs, but as it was 24/4 on your side of the IDL, have to admit my thoughts kept straying to you all on the BBB and hoping the restart of racing was all going to plan. Good Luck, take care and it would also be really nice if you could come in FIRST this time.....

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