Crew Blog

Was it worth the WAit?

30 May 2008

westernaustralia2011.com's Liverpool Pete takes the helm. Note the boat speed.

The last time I’d sailed with my fellow westernaustralia2011.com crew buddies was way back July 07, from Hull down to Gosport after our second place in the Wilberforce Race, and to be honest we were all a little green (literally). How this crew have changed! Still warm smiles and friendly welcomes, but now hardened sailors to a man and women, confident around the deck and a second sense of what is going to happen next. “Cripes” or words to that effect usually precede some anxious moments. It doesn’t matter how many times you read the training manual deep down you know it ain’t going to be like the real thing, and I was beginning to feel a little green again and a bit apprehensive of what lay ahead.

I need not have worried after the frenzy of the start in Jamaica our crew buddies began to show us the ropes. Bruce first, in the lazarette to do steering checks. Not very comfy but essential, followed by a stroll around the deck inspecting winches and fittings, straight forward, it starting to come back to me. Jack then asks if I fancy doing a rig check, wry smile across his face, “Errrr… yeah ok”. Ten minutes later I’m at the top of the mast looking for defects, clinging on for dear life, but we’re beginning to find our feet.

Then as we leave Cuba behind and enter the Atlantic the racing really begins, the waves grow and the wind builds headsail changes, mainsail reefs guided by our trusty crew, same warm smiles, friendly banter, and caring camaraderie, the newbies still have a lot to learn and are looking forward to the coming weeks, but was it worth the wait. One minute from bunk to ocean racing with a great bunch crew mates, you betcha it was…

Liverpool Pete (Thompson)

1. Niall McNamara, Tranmere 30 May 2008

Hi, just your nephew here pommey pete, and damn it must of been scary up that mast!!!!!! anyway plaese email mum and dad with another cool pic of you and stay safe!!!!!!!

Niall, XXX

P.S. don’t forget my Empre State Building pencil sharpener! LOL

2. eileen moore, West Midlands England 30 May 2008

Hi guys - hear your in the doldrums now - what a bummer. Whatever position you make I know you will have enjoyed the craic and the sail. I have some fab pics of bruce and lynn on leg 5 - somebody who knows me, send me an email address so I can get them to them. Hope to see you all in Cork but for now go go go guys. Eileenx xxxxx

3. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 30 May 2008

Great blog Pete, it tells much about the sense of belonging and part of a strong team. Now that you and the other final leg newbies are getting your sea legs and skills honed, let’s see some podium finishes to Liverpool. So far the BBB has shown it can give the other boats a (very slow) run. Have fun and some better winds ahead.

4. Chrissy, Australia 31 May 2008

Congrats on the result. So proud of you all.

5. MANDY MACKY, Adelaide, Australia 31 May 2008

What excitement! Congratulations to all on the BBB on a great result!

6. Anne and Dai, Perth WA 31 May 2008

Congratulations- an early finish but you are on the podium- 2nd place- well done!! Enjoy New York- please send in a few photos of the skyline for the rest of us! Great blogs from the leggers- thanks and keep them coming.
Keep safe. love Anne and Dai xxxxx

7. Joan Jennings, Geelong, Australia 31 May 2008

Hooray, second place. Great work, that new mast worked wonders. Or maybe you’re in a hurry to get home. Lyn go wild in New York, big sisters permission, luv ya.

8. Sister Sue., Aberdeenshire 31 May 2008

Very well done Captain Courageous and your wonderful crew
Enjoy The Big Apple and I look forward to catching up with you all again in Halifax!
Take care, hugs to all and lots of love to Billy xxxxxxxxx

9. Nigel Smith, Perth, W.A. 31 May 2008

It’s fantastic to see you’re back in business Pete. Well done to everybody for not giving up and capturing a fantasic result. You still have three races to do one better ay? Enjoy the achievement. Nigel.

10. Mum and Dad Silk, Tenterden Kent 31 May 2008

Well done to all aboard the BBB, enjoy NY
Love and best wishes to you all & skipper of course.
From the Silks & McRoberts.
PS nail the rudder in a straight line on the next race it seems to work

11. PETER LAWRENCE, Melbourne, Australia 31 May 2008

Was it worth the wait? Sure was Liver Pete! Fantastic result team, and three races left for max points. Well done Marty on getting the crew in top mode and congrats to all the crew for showing the BBB’s true colours. Enjoy the cruising life to NY and a great stopover there.

12. Theresa Evert, Atlanta Georgia 31 May 2008

Yay you guys are there, SA and all the S Africans are happy.
Michelle see you tomorrow, have your muti with us, if you want to check in early hopefully you know where to go....The Metropolitan in Tribeca.
Love Mom

13. nikki schofield, huddersfield 31 May 2008

hi there well done you guys podium finish that’s the best news so far. hope you are enjoying the sleeping bag pete can’t wait to see you all in cork missing you already ps luggage turned up today so watch out for cheap kit on ebay !!!!!
nikki xxx keep up the good work

14. kerry ocallagan, Liverpool 01 June 2008

dear uncle roy missing you very much hope you dont get sea sick were are you now,dad not to well at the moment keep up the good work how many are there on the boat and were do you all sleep keep warm love you lots your niece kerryann

15. kerry ocallaghan england, Liverpool 01 June 2008

dear uncle roy I hope your keeping warm missing you,what is the weather like at the moment Ibet you just wish you were cooking a roast at home keep up the hard work kerry

16. Doug and Curt Hardy, Rock Ferry 01 June 2008

Hi Pete,

Hope your having a great time, well done in coming second hope your ok for peach flavoured water and cappucino. Send us pics and emails when possible and keep us updated.

Cya soon Doug and Curt

17. Kerry, Brisbane 02 June 2008

Fantastic, congratulations, well done....what next?? Wish I was there (even instead of in the tropics on a Bigger Black Boat).
Kerry

18. Kerry Newton, On the Clyde 02 June 2008

glad to see you have arrived safely, Trudy - we had the raggatta this w/e but the wind wasnt having any of it, shortened the courses etc, true to form the moment the end of race flag drops the wind came in good style, hope the weather plays fair for you all!

email the kids please!!

19. Franny McClave, Tranmere 02 June 2008

Well done Pete.
Have a great time in New York. Hope your bread making skills have improved as much as your sailing. I am sure you will get top spot in one of the next couple of races.
Cheers mate
Fran and Jen

20. Liz Watson, Chichester UK 02 June 2008

Well done! What a fantastic result. Good to see your cheeky little face again Jacko! Can’t wait to see you all again in a month’s time and hard to believe it is such a short time away. Have a wonderful time in NY, the Naked Cowboy in Times’ Square is quite novel! Enjoy your hop across the pond. Lots of love Lizzie xx

21. eileen, west midlands 02 June 2008

wow - fantastic result guys. A little bird told me a couple of days ago you were looking at a possible second (but that was not what the website was saying - far from it) so I couldnt quite believe it. Hope you have a great time in New York and receiving your second place pennant. Have fun and safe sailing. Love eileenxxx

22. Hilary, Perth, WA 03 June 2008

fantastic result WA, great to see everyone’s smiling faces! billy you seem to be conspicuous in your absence from the crew photo though… have they chained you to the galley?

23. Elaine McNamara, Tranmere 03 June 2008

Hiya Pete,
Hope you are enjoying New York and you have had a chance to visit Central Park. (Is it really anything like Birkenhead Park?) Congratulations on the result, you must be delighted. Take care and see ya soon x
Luv
Elaine & Den

24. glenaaronkim, wirral 03 June 2008

well done pete and the rest of the crew sitting in the bath with my water proofs on with kim and aaron throwing cold water on me so i can get a feel of the experience.can’t fit a mast in the bathroom unfortunately.

25. jamie and family, birkenhead 06 June 2008

Hi pommy pete and all the crew.
As you know pete ive got the worst sea legs ever but following this race is really exiting especially from terra ferma. Just off to the chippy to soak up my bottle of red ha. Keep smiling pete everything good at home see you in liverpool mate ta ta

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