Crew Blog

Tantalisingly close to civilisation

01 October 2007

westernaustralia2011.com crew keep fit on board

I went to bed with the big blue boat drifting in the current, sea smooth as silk, Gran Canaria lit up like a Christmas tree off our starboard bow and Hull & Humber’s mast light one mile ahead.

Having done mother ‘cooker’ watch last night I had my first real sleep in a week. When I woke nothing had changed (the sea still smooth, us still drifting) except Gran Canaria’s mountains looked spectacular in the distance. Frustration describes the fact that we are a few miles from civilisation (real food, beer, people that smell good, etc), but what is really killing us is the lack of wind.

There are sore muscles on board today after our military officer skipper led the boys (and some of the girls) in a muscle bursting exercise regime. This was followed by mast climbing races with Jack determined to beat the ‘old’ men on board (including myself) in the new time trials. Birthday Boy Pete was the eventual winner.

On the medical front, Clive has sustained a large left-sided knee effusion after a slip on the bow but has recovered faster than his younger crew mates would. John Boy’s tooth is playing up (another dental casualty) but is being monitored and hopefully will settle. Apart from some mild sunburn the rest of us are fighting fit. No more IVs I hope.

We continue to trim the boat in anticipation of the wind we desperately need to take us to Brazil.

Shane Leavy
Stormy Watch

1. Monica, Melbourne, Australia 02 October 2007

Good to see you’re making more progress now. Muscle bursting exercises - well, I guess you had to fill in the time somehow. Hope Pete isn’t getting any big ideas about rigging a trapeze! Pete, it was lovely talking to you today. Hope to do so again from Brazil to Perth.
love and best wishes Monica and John

2. P, Machrihanish 02 October 2007

C’mon Dark & Stormy - J-B forget the tooth you have plenty more I’ll let you have my false ones if you need them!

3. Jadranka Lota, Maidenhead 02 October 2007

Wishing Happy Birthday to Lynn and Pete and I hope you celebrtate it in style (being WA WA WA I hav no doubts)! Hugs Jadranka

4. Martin, Dubai 03 October 2007

What happened to you last evening? Only half the distance compared with Hull & Humber and Scotland even if you were at the same point at midday.

I hope you are all fine and soon will be back at lead again�

5. P, Machrihanish 03 October 2007

Good to see you move up a place, time to put those light winds behind you and pick off those infront one by one. Look after the boat & she will look after you!

6. Anna, London 03 October 2007

John Boy - If you stop eating sweets your tooth might get better…

7. The Major, East Malling 03 October 2007

I go away for a couple of days, and Mr Silk takes you all clubbing off the coast of Gran Canaria! That’s no way to win this race!

Ask him if he spotted any `mooses’ on the shore, used to be his favourite passtime......

I approve of the `beasting’ he has been giving you on board in the absence of the necessary breeze.

Catch up soon.

Best wishes

The Major.

8. Nomes, Geelong, Australia 03 October 2007

Hey Nett, Missed giving you big ‘happy 50th birthday’ hugs. Bummer no phone service! Hope you had a great day, sounds like even the whales and dolphins popped out to give b’day wishes!
Love you lots, keep up the hard yakka- reason you’ve got no wind in those sails is cause it’s all been in victoria!! xoxoxoxox

9. hans kuijt, dubai 03 October 2007

Clive,

Get well soon… give the youngsters a hard time and make them run for their money !
All well here..... great sailing last Friday in Dubai.
Hans & Ellie.

10. Les, Sandbach 03 October 2007

Hi Stuart and the rest of the crew. Decided its definitely your fault as Andy and I have been sober since you set sail. All the best mate for the rest of the race. Try some Kangeroo bourginone for more wind (Stuart will explain) Les.

11. Norma laing, Blackpool 03 October 2007

Come on WA, in the words of Johny Walker (DJ) “get a move on”, you need to be in Fremantle this christmas. With you all the way.
Norma & Grahame.

12. Sarah & Ally, Cheshire UK 03 October 2007

Hi Stuart, watching your progress with great interest, hoping you are having a fantastic time, it’s great fun keeping track of you via the net, all the best to you and the rest of the crew! Sarah (and brood) & Ally

13. Stu Robinson, Cheshire 03 October 2007

john, your not using the old tooth ache technique so you can get some female attention.
sending you lots of wind mate to get you pack into first position.
love you lots (manly way, grr), stay happy and keep it real
stu

14. Jacqui, Perth Western Australia 04 October 2007

Find the wind and fly! When you get to the Durban -Freo leg - we will expect you to lead the pack into Freo!

Better start practising now!

Best of luck!

Jacqui

15. MK, Spencers Wood 04 October 2007

Come on JB, you always used to be able to produce a little extra wind when it was required so why can’t you do it now!!??....................obviously not on the right diet! Now stop looking for dolphins and do some sailing!! All the best, MK

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