Hot off the Press
Clipper have announced that Da Nang, on the eastern coast of Vietnam, is going to be the stopover port on our way from Australia to China. Unfortunately Kate, my niece, will have left Vietnam where she has been living for the past year and working as a recently trained architect. This is the first time Vietnam has been involved with the Clipper race so I expect there will be a lot of excitement on our arrival.
We have also been informed thats the fleet will return to St Katharine's Docks on the 30th July 2016. That means that I will be back in the UK this time next year. What a thought!
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Saturday, 1 August 2015
Moving house
Apologies for the lack of posts over the past few weeks but I have been extremely busy with moving house and trying to downsize into a property with half the space. Packing up Rosedene Gardens involved hiring a skip for the 18 years worth of rubbish and junk that we had accumulated, driving to the local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) on at least ten occasions, numerous visits to local charity shops plus charity vans collecting the larger pieces of furniture from the house. All the forward planning did mean that we were able to fit all our belongings, albeit in quite a cramped way, into the new house. The actual moving day was fine with some sunshine, brilliant compared to the following day when it poured with rain from sun up to sun down.
We are settling in and as I type this most of the boxes have been emptied and most things found. Still further trips to the dump and charity shops as we all realise that some of what we moved is still superfluous to requirements and not needed. I am in the smallest bedroom which I am finding quite cosy and certainly a lot bigger than the accomodation I will have on the boat when I will probably be hot bunking and sharing a bed while we are racing. A good idea to downsize early I say to myself.
The one downside is the lack of an Internet connection. I didn't get my act together soon enough and by the time it was all organised BT told me I had to wait until the 4th of August for broadband to be installed. Oh, how reliant I had become. I have had to start using my iPad, an experience in itself, in order to try and keep up to date with the rest of my world, so I am currently sitting down at the sailing club watching the Saturday racing as I type this. Racing has now finished so I am watching the boats being put away. It is a good opportunity to test out this iPad before I go away as this will be the way I communicate with the outside world while I am in foreign parts.
We are settling in and as I type this most of the boxes have been emptied and most things found. Still further trips to the dump and charity shops as we all realise that some of what we moved is still superfluous to requirements and not needed. I am in the smallest bedroom which I am finding quite cosy and certainly a lot bigger than the accomodation I will have on the boat when I will probably be hot bunking and sharing a bed while we are racing. A good idea to downsize early I say to myself.
The one downside is the lack of an Internet connection. I didn't get my act together soon enough and by the time it was all organised BT told me I had to wait until the 4th of August for broadband to be installed. Oh, how reliant I had become. I have had to start using my iPad, an experience in itself, in order to try and keep up to date with the rest of my world, so I am currently sitting down at the sailing club watching the Saturday racing as I type this. Racing has now finished so I am watching the boats being put away. It is a good opportunity to test out this iPad before I go away as this will be the way I communicate with the outside world while I am in foreign parts.
It is time to end this but I will hopefully be able to keep up to date with my posts once internet is installed on Tuesday.
Monday, 13 July 2015
An update on dates
I have just spent 50 minutes typing all the dates, places, marinas etc into my blog only for it all to disappear into the ether when I tried to add a photo. It all needs re-doing so here goes......
Clipper have just announced the marinas for Rio and the Whitsundays (Queensland, Aus) along with departure dates and estimated arrival dates in the various ports. Some of this you already know but here goes:
Race 1
Depart London (St Katharine Docks) - 30th August 2015
ETA Rio de Janeiro (Marina da Glorio), Brazil 26th - 30 September 2015
Race 2
Depart Rio - 7th October
ETA Cape Town (Victoria and Albert Waterfront) 21st - 25th October
Race 3
Depart Cape Town - 31st October
ETA Albany (Albany Waterfront Marina), WA 22nd - 26th November
Race 4
Depart Albany - 1st December
ETA Sydney (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia) 12th - 15th December
Race 5
Depart Sydney - 26th December (Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race)
ETA Hobart 30th - 31st December
Race 6
Depart Hobart - 2nd January 2016
ETA Airlie Beach (Abel Point Marina), Whitsundays, Queensland 13th - 14th January 2016
Race 7
Depart Airlie Beach - 18th January
ETA South East Asia (location TBC) mid-February
Race 8
Depart South East Asia (TBC)
ETA Qingdao (Olympic Sailing Harbour), China 10th - 13th March
Race 9
Depart Qingdao - 20th March
ETA Seattle (Bell Harbor Marina), USA 15th - 20th April
Race 10
Depart Seattle - 28th April
ETA Panama (Flamenco Island Marina) 25th - 27th May
Race 11
Depart Panama (Shelter Bay Marina) - 30th May (This date is a best estimate as Clipper have no control over the Panama Canal scheduling)
ETA New York 12th - 14th June
Race 12
Depart New York - 20th June
ETA Derry Londonderry (Foyle Marina) 7th - 11th July
Race 13
Depart Derry Londonderry - 17th July
ETA Europe (location TBC) 23rd - 24th July
Race 14
Depart Europe (location TBC) - 28th July
ETA St Katharine Docks 30th July
It has now been confirmed that I will be away for 11 months and will celebrate my birthday during the stopover in Derry Londonderry. Awesome!!
The other great thing that is taking up my time at the moment is moving house. 23rd July is the date we move, in just over one week's time. The house we are moving into is probably about half the size of the one we are in now and so serious down-sizing is having to take place. Every time I open a cupboard I am horrified at what I find there; 18 years worth of 'stuff'. We have so many possessions, the majority of which haven't been used for years. The garage if now full of black plastic bags full of bits and pieces to go to charity shops. A couple of charities are coming to take various bits of furniture, electrics and bags later this week so hopefully by the weekend I will be able to see the garage floor.
All the toys etc in the cabin have now been packed away into various boxes, some to go into storage, some to colleagues and some to charity. A massive undertaking made easier with the help of some good friends. Friends are also helping by taking rubbish to the local tip but now that I have hired a skip things should be easier.
What insane person would try to move house and plan for 11 months at sea at the same time? No need to answer that!!
Clipper have just announced the marinas for Rio and the Whitsundays (Queensland, Aus) along with departure dates and estimated arrival dates in the various ports. Some of this you already know but here goes:
Race 1
 |
| Leaving London at the start of the 2013-14 race |
ETA Rio de Janeiro (Marina da Glorio), Brazil 26th - 30 September 2015
Race 2
Depart Rio - 7th October
ETA Cape Town (Victoria and Albert Waterfront) 21st - 25th October
Race 3
Depart Cape Town - 31st October
ETA Albany (Albany Waterfront Marina), WA 22nd - 26th November
Race 4
Depart Albany - 1st December
ETA Sydney (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia) 12th - 15th December
 |
| Sydney Hobart race December 2014 |
Depart Sydney - 26th December (Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race)
ETA Hobart 30th - 31st December
Race 6
Depart Hobart - 2nd January 2016
ETA Airlie Beach (Abel Point Marina), Whitsundays, Queensland 13th - 14th January 2016
Race 7
Depart Airlie Beach - 18th January
 |
| Qingdao 2014 |
Race 8
Depart South East Asia (TBC)
ETA Qingdao (Olympic Sailing Harbour), China 10th - 13th March
Race 9
Depart Qingdao - 20th March
ETA Seattle (Bell Harbor Marina), USA 15th - 20th April
Race 10
Depart Seattle - 28th April
ETA Panama (Flamenco Island Marina) 25th - 27th May
Race 11
Depart Panama (Shelter Bay Marina) - 30th May (This date is a best estimate as Clipper have no control over the Panama Canal scheduling)
ETA New York 12th - 14th June
Race 12
Depart New York - 20th June
ETA Derry Londonderry (Foyle Marina) 7th - 11th July
Race 13
Depart Derry Londonderry - 17th July
ETA Europe (location TBC) 23rd - 24th July
Race 14
Depart Europe (location TBC) - 28th July
ETA St Katharine Docks 30th July
It has now been confirmed that I will be away for 11 months and will celebrate my birthday during the stopover in Derry Londonderry. Awesome!!
The other great thing that is taking up my time at the moment is moving house. 23rd July is the date we move, in just over one week's time. The house we are moving into is probably about half the size of the one we are in now and so serious down-sizing is having to take place. Every time I open a cupboard I am horrified at what I find there; 18 years worth of 'stuff'. We have so many possessions, the majority of which haven't been used for years. The garage if now full of black plastic bags full of bits and pieces to go to charity shops. A couple of charities are coming to take various bits of furniture, electrics and bags later this week so hopefully by the weekend I will be able to see the garage floor.
All the toys etc in the cabin have now been packed away into various boxes, some to go into storage, some to colleagues and some to charity. A massive undertaking made easier with the help of some good friends. Friends are also helping by taking rubbish to the local tip but now that I have hired a skip things should be easier.
What insane person would try to move house and plan for 11 months at sea at the same time? No need to answer that!!
Level 4 Training
Well, I have now completed the last part of my pre-race training and have a better idea of what it is going to be like on the race. The English Channel is still tiny when compared to the Southern Ocean and North Pacific but I did get a taste of what it is like living at 45 degrees and being part of a watch system.
My UNICEF boat was out of the water when we set of so our team shared the boat skippered by Wendo, a very bouncy Australian; eight of them, eight of us plus the two skippers.
The first day out was spent refreshing our sailing skills and the skippers practicing the 'V' formation that would be filmed by very expensive helicopter flights the following week. It was interesting seeing how everyone tried to get into place and then hold it there for five to ten minutes as the Clipper training boat with all the big names on board skirted around shouting instructions. We eventually achieved the desired effect before we ran out of water as we headed down the east side of the Isle of Wight. Good luck to them all when it is done 'for real' on the next L4 training.
After spending a night at anchor we set of on the first of two races across The Channel. A committee boat start where all seven boats jostled for position before crossing the line on the gun. Not a bad start for us but the fleet was soon divided into those who sailed out into the Solent and those who hugged the shores of the Isle of Wight where the tide was weaker. We were in the latter group but soon fell behind the other boats who took a calculated risk and sailed close inshore - obviously local knowledge!
Off across the Channel and over to France as the wind picked up and the sea became more confused. Most of us were seasick to some extent though managed to take part in the four hour watch system that was instigated at race start. I hadn't taken any tablets and it was only after 36 hours that I managed to remember to take a seasickness pill before lying down and going to sleep. Staying in bed then became a bit of a challenge as I hadn't got the angle on my bunk right so had to hang on or fall out. When we did tack I was rolled tight into the corner and then it was a struggle to get out of bed to start the next watch. What did make it all worthwhile were the stunning sun sets and sun rises. There was also a point when I was helming that the boat was joined by a pod of porpoises who stayed with us for about ten minutes, diving in and out of the water, around and under the boat - magical!
There were also times when I sincerely wondered what I was doing on this boat while feeling so ill. Have I made the right decision to sail around the world? How can I get out of it knowing that I won't get my money back? How do I tell everyone that my plans have changed and that I am going to go back to work and pack in the idea of a year away? How am I going to manage feeling so awful, and how long is this feeling going to be around? I had real doubts that I am doing the right thing. I then managed to hold down some sea sickness tablets and life became more positive again. Still hard work but I started to enjoy the sailing and was able to perform tasks without running to the rails on a regular basis.
The first race was eventually abandoned as we wallowed with no wind off the south coast to the west of Portland. The course was shortened and the three fastest boats managed to finish before the wind died to virtually nothing leaving the rest of us resorting to turning our engines on to get to the start of the next race.
A 'Le Mans' start was how we began the second race. The idea is that there is a lead boat holding a set course with the other boats lined up on each side in a predetermined order. We all motor along with just the main sail hoisted trying to keep our bows in a straight line. At one minute before the start the engine is turned off and at the gun the crew run forward to hoist the two head sails as quickly as they can. The course then has to be held for a further five minutes before the boats can then head of in the desired direction. We made a very good start on this second race but unfortunately the staysail was inadvertently dropped as one of the crew mistook the halyard for a sheet and released it. We all make mistakes and in her defence all the ropes look the same when one is under pressure and trying to do something quickly.
This second trip across the Channel was much more pleasant than the first with a near full moon and star studded sky lighting our way. We sailed with the spinnaker up most of the time so the crossing was relatively quick, so quick that this time the course was lengthened so that we didn't finish too soon. We eventually finished somewhere in the Solent but with not enough space for us to conduct a man over board (MOB) drill under spinnaker - what a shame! The instruction was then that we would do it the following day.
We were all tired after our double crossing so were pleased to be anchoring in Osborne Bay for the night. Meals were cooked and an inter-boat game of 'Trivia' was conducted over the radio. Our boat really got into it with complaints from the others that our questions were too serious.
Jim gave us a talk about piracy and multi boat searches as well as showing us all how to splice the ends of the ropes. Something that will need to be done during our prep week in Gosport. We also spent time learning about the procedure for using the on-board pumps to pump out the bilges if we are taking on water, and to use the fire hose in case of a fire on board. During the last race one of the boats used the fire hose to cool the decks while in the Doldrums, so not just for fires.
What made the evening was the arrival of the 'Ice Cream Boat' after we had finished eating. Ice creams for sale were expensive but we all gathered on the rail to make our purchases like small children on a Sunday afternoon. What a treat!
Being at anchor meant an anchor watch with us all taking it in turns to be awake for an hour checking the anchor, water depth and battery levels. Strict instructions to wake the skipper if there was any concern but all went well and without a hitch.
We woke on the penultimate morning to bright skies and strong winds, too strong to hoist the spinnaker. So, no MOB drill with the spinnaker hoisted, but a regular drill with one of the crew donning the immersion suit to pick up Bob the dummy. Bob was then unceremoniously tied to the stretcher and lowered down below decks where he was assessed and treated by 'Pop' the on-board medic. We are all getting proficient at this drill and only hope that we never have to carry it out in the real world while on the race. We were also able to witness Ben Ainslie sail his 'boat' up and down the Solent. I am not sure if you can call it a boat as it skims across the water balancing on the foils. An amazing sight and I hope he succeeds in his campaign to bring the Americas Cup to the UK for the first time in its history.
After another night at anchor we headed back to Gosport early on Wednesday morning to arrive at 0800 hrs. A quick clean up of the boat, yes, the dreaded 'deep clean', saw us finished by 11.30 and off to 'The Boathouse' for an early team lunch.
Another fantastic week, with its 'ups and downs' on a 70 ft Clipper yacht. It is hard to imagine what it will be like at sea for up to four + weeks; no showers, living at 45 degrees, the heat, the cold, the wet, being seasick, feeling elated, feeling down, missing family and friends, being knocked about etc. But what this past week has shown me is the team spirit and comradeship we have in Team UNICEF. Everyone looks out for each other; we have a laugh and a cry, but at the end of the day we care about each and every crew member on board and so far we have all respected our differences. I must be mindful of those whose English is not their first language and to make sure that they are included in all conversations. Each of us will bring something different to the boat, be it the technical knowledge of a Chief Engineer, the medical skills of our Medic, the varied menus from the Chief Victualer or the kindness of someone who has noticed one of the crew is feeling down. The journey is going to be awesome in so many ways and I can't wait to start that journey.
One of the things that I am loving are the cloud formations and colours of the different skies, especially as the sun sets or rises. On this last trip the sun rises had the greatest impact so I will end by posting a sky that was to be seen as we headed towards the Isle of Wight on our final crossing of the English Channel.
My UNICEF boat was out of the water when we set of so our team shared the boat skippered by Wendo, a very bouncy Australian; eight of them, eight of us plus the two skippers. The first day out was spent refreshing our sailing skills and the skippers practicing the 'V' formation that would be filmed by very expensive helicopter flights the following week. It was interesting seeing how everyone tried to get into place and then hold it there for five to ten minutes as the Clipper training boat with all the big names on board skirted around shouting instructions. We eventually achieved the desired effect before we ran out of water as we headed down the east side of the Isle of Wight. Good luck to them all when it is done 'for real' on the next L4 training.
 |
| 'V' formation with our boat at the head of the V and three on either side. |
After spending a night at anchor we set of on the first of two races across The Channel. A committee boat start where all seven boats jostled for position before crossing the line on the gun. Not a bad start for us but the fleet was soon divided into those who sailed out into the Solent and those who hugged the shores of the Isle of Wight where the tide was weaker. We were in the latter group but soon fell behind the other boats who took a calculated risk and sailed close inshore - obviously local knowledge!
Off across the Channel and over to France as the wind picked up and the sea became more confused. Most of us were seasick to some extent though managed to take part in the four hour watch system that was instigated at race start. I hadn't taken any tablets and it was only after 36 hours that I managed to remember to take a seasickness pill before lying down and going to sleep. Staying in bed then became a bit of a challenge as I hadn't got the angle on my bunk right so had to hang on or fall out. When we did tack I was rolled tight into the corner and then it was a struggle to get out of bed to start the next watch. What did make it all worthwhile were the stunning sun sets and sun rises. There was also a point when I was helming that the boat was joined by a pod of porpoises who stayed with us for about ten minutes, diving in and out of the water, around and under the boat - magical!
 |
| Sun rise with 'Telemed' in the distance as we head back towards the Isle of Wight under spinnaker |
The first race was eventually abandoned as we wallowed with no wind off the south coast to the west of Portland. The course was shortened and the three fastest boats managed to finish before the wind died to virtually nothing leaving the rest of us resorting to turning our engines on to get to the start of the next race.
 |
| Lining up for the 'Le Mans' start under main sail only |
This second trip across the Channel was much more pleasant than the first with a near full moon and star studded sky lighting our way. We sailed with the spinnaker up most of the time so the crossing was relatively quick, so quick that this time the course was lengthened so that we didn't finish too soon. We eventually finished somewhere in the Solent but with not enough space for us to conduct a man over board (MOB) drill under spinnaker - what a shame! The instruction was then that we would do it the following day.
 |
| Will (Chief Engineer of Leg 1) serving up dinner |
We were all tired after our double crossing so were pleased to be anchoring in Osborne Bay for the night. Meals were cooked and an inter-boat game of 'Trivia' was conducted over the radio. Our boat really got into it with complaints from the others that our questions were too serious.
 |
| Jim splicing ropes |
Jim gave us a talk about piracy and multi boat searches as well as showing us all how to splice the ends of the ropes. Something that will need to be done during our prep week in Gosport. We also spent time learning about the procedure for using the on-board pumps to pump out the bilges if we are taking on water, and to use the fire hose in case of a fire on board. During the last race one of the boats used the fire hose to cool the decks while in the Doldrums, so not just for fires.
 |
| The 'Ice cream boat' tied alongside |
What made the evening was the arrival of the 'Ice Cream Boat' after we had finished eating. Ice creams for sale were expensive but we all gathered on the rail to make our purchases like small children on a Sunday afternoon. What a treat!
Being at anchor meant an anchor watch with us all taking it in turns to be awake for an hour checking the anchor, water depth and battery levels. Strict instructions to wake the skipper if there was any concern but all went well and without a hitch.
We woke on the penultimate morning to bright skies and strong winds, too strong to hoist the spinnaker. So, no MOB drill with the spinnaker hoisted, but a regular drill with one of the crew donning the immersion suit to pick up Bob the dummy. Bob was then unceremoniously tied to the stretcher and lowered down below decks where he was assessed and treated by 'Pop' the on-board medic. We are all getting proficient at this drill and only hope that we never have to carry it out in the real world while on the race. We were also able to witness Ben Ainslie sail his 'boat' up and down the Solent. I am not sure if you can call it a boat as it skims across the water balancing on the foils. An amazing sight and I hope he succeeds in his campaign to bring the Americas Cup to the UK for the first time in its history.
After another night at anchor we headed back to Gosport early on Wednesday morning to arrive at 0800 hrs. A quick clean up of the boat, yes, the dreaded 'deep clean', saw us finished by 11.30 and off to 'The Boathouse' for an early team lunch.
 |
| Will, Chris, me, Murat, Mike, Thom, Jim, Simon, Mel Team UNICEF at lunch |
One of the things that I am loving are the cloud formations and colours of the different skies, especially as the sun sets or rises. On this last trip the sun rises had the greatest impact so I will end by posting a sky that was to be seen as we headed towards the Isle of Wight on our final crossing of the English Channel.
Monday, 29 June 2015
Team UNICEF - crew team building weekend
The weekend of the 19th to 21st of June saw about 22 of my crew head of to Milton Abbas in Dorset for a team building weekend. Jim had arranged for us to camp in the field of some friends of his and for us to take part in various team bonding activities.
We were tempted by a picture of a field, with a slope of less than 45 degrees, and a luxurious 'Heads'.
When the 'bathroom' facilities are compared to those on the boat there is no comparison. The cistern stayed level and wasn't bouncing around as I tried to sit down. There was fresh water coming out of the taps and there was a proper door, rather than a flimsy piece of fabric that zipped up on both sides. I wasn't in danger of being thrown through the door, BUT, there were no shower facilities in the middle of a field in the middle of Dorset. Something the Clipper 70 can boast about.
I arrived at about 4 pm on Friday afternoon and was able to pitch my tent before lots of the others arrived. We then ambled down to the pub for dinner before zipping ourselves in for the night. My tent was pitched with my feet pointing down hill but little did I know that I would continually find myself scrunched up by the door as I gradually slid down the hill while I slept.
I had borrowed Becca's tent, the orange one, but Jim just slept under a blue tarpaulin attached to the fence. 'Stig of the Dump'. I'm not sure how he slept but he did complain about a rock in the middle of his back.
One of the team kindly brought along a festival tent that acted as our base, and was somewhere to go when it rained, which it did on and off, during the day on Saturday.
Food was good and consisted of BBQd bacon and eggs for breakfast followed by a BBQ on Saturday evening. Janice, our Chief Victualler, had given me a list of what to buy for the weekend and I spent a couple of hours, or that's what it seemed, buying everything from Sainsbury's on Thursday afternoon. I couldn't believe how much food I needed to purchase to feed 22 people for a couple of days. It made me realise what an onerous task victualing for 20 for a period of 4-5 weeks is going to be. The shopping list has to be precise because other people will be helping with the buying of food. There is no point in saying '5 packs of bacon' because how big is a pack. The number of rashers has to be identified, and in this case I had to buy 96. Enough for 2 pieces of bacon per person, assuming 24 people, for two breakfasts. How much brie do 24 people eat in their sandwiches for lunch? And how much does it weigh. I was asked to buy 6 packs of brie - but there are different sizes of packs. An incredibly complex task if it is to be done right and this crew weekend was a very good start with lots of lessons learnt.
The boys took it in turns to cook the food and did a very good job with not too many burnt sausages or burgers. There were copious amounts of wine, including bottles from Stormhoek (one of the boat sponsors), and a minipin of TEA (Traditional English Ale) from The Hog's Back Brewery just down the road from me in Aldershot.
The bulk of the 'business' was carried out on Saturday with various communication enhancing tasks and a visit from UNICEF. Henry has put together a short clip, so have a look: https://youtu.be/tjLkGB3eppo
As well as it's serious moments the weekend was full of fun and laughter as we started to get to know each other. Some of the people present will never sail together and those on Leg 8, which doesn't start until June 2016, won't necessarily be seeing the rest of us for another year.
The official weekend finished on Sunday with an interesting and informative talk from Nick who was the Watch Leader on Henri Lloyd for the last race in '13 - '14. Lots of good advice from someone on the winning boat including tips and suggestions on how to make the boat go faster. None of which, of course, are to be repeated!
We also chose our crew song - 'The Impression That I Get' by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Not one that I know but I'm sure I'll get to know it over the next year or so.
After packing up the team started to go their separate ways - some straight home and others to the pub for lunch. It was a good weekend with the added bonus of having the time to talk to people and to start getting to know each other.
The next thing for me is my Level 4 training which starts this Thursday, 2nd July. I will be sailing with Jim for the first time and my watch will be made up entirely of Team UNICEF. Unfortunately not on the UNICEF boat but we'll be going out with Max, one of the other skippers in this race but also one of the trainers on my Level 1. Can't wait.
We were tempted by a picture of a field, with a slope of less than 45 degrees, and a luxurious 'Heads'.
 |
| A sloping campsite |
 |
| Luxurious 'heads' |
When the 'bathroom' facilities are compared to those on the boat there is no comparison. The cistern stayed level and wasn't bouncing around as I tried to sit down. There was fresh water coming out of the taps and there was a proper door, rather than a flimsy piece of fabric that zipped up on both sides. I wasn't in danger of being thrown through the door, BUT, there were no shower facilities in the middle of a field in the middle of Dorset. Something the Clipper 70 can boast about.
I arrived at about 4 pm on Friday afternoon and was able to pitch my tent before lots of the others arrived. We then ambled down to the pub for dinner before zipping ourselves in for the night. My tent was pitched with my feet pointing down hill but little did I know that I would continually find myself scrunched up by the door as I gradually slid down the hill while I slept.
I had borrowed Becca's tent, the orange one, but Jim just slept under a blue tarpaulin attached to the fence. 'Stig of the Dump'. I'm not sure how he slept but he did complain about a rock in the middle of his back.
 |
| The 'Festival' tent |
One of the team kindly brought along a festival tent that acted as our base, and was somewhere to go when it rained, which it did on and off, during the day on Saturday.
 |
| The campsite after a rain shower. Photo courtesy of Chloe (RTW) |
 |
| Breakfast! |
 |
| Dinner preparation |
The bulk of the 'business' was carried out on Saturday with various communication enhancing tasks and a visit from UNICEF. Henry has put together a short clip, so have a look: https://youtu.be/tjLkGB3eppo
 |
| Fun and games with tennis balls |
 |
| Preparing to move a jerry can of water into the middle of a circle |
As well as it's serious moments the weekend was full of fun and laughter as we started to get to know each other. Some of the people present will never sail together and those on Leg 8, which doesn't start until June 2016, won't necessarily be seeing the rest of us for another year.
The official weekend finished on Sunday with an interesting and informative talk from Nick who was the Watch Leader on Henri Lloyd for the last race in '13 - '14. Lots of good advice from someone on the winning boat including tips and suggestions on how to make the boat go faster. None of which, of course, are to be repeated!
We also chose our crew song - 'The Impression That I Get' by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Not one that I know but I'm sure I'll get to know it over the next year or so.
After packing up the team started to go their separate ways - some straight home and others to the pub for lunch. It was a good weekend with the added bonus of having the time to talk to people and to start getting to know each other.
The next thing for me is my Level 4 training which starts this Thursday, 2nd July. I will be sailing with Jim for the first time and my watch will be made up entirely of Team UNICEF. Unfortunately not on the UNICEF boat but we'll be going out with Max, one of the other skippers in this race but also one of the trainers on my Level 1. Can't wait.
Thursday, 25 June 2015
Seattle and New York - USA ports announced
Thursday 25th June and Clipper have announced that we will be visiting Seattle and New York.
'Today we are very pleased to announce that the race will stop in Seattle, USA, in April 2016 for the first time in our ten edition history.
Following the epic race across the mighty Pacific Ocean, Leg 6 crew will be welcomed into the city’s Bell Harbor Marina in mid-April 2016, and Leg 7 crew members will kick start their American Coast to Coast adventure there later that month.
Seattle is in Washington State, positioned on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, and is known as the Emerald City as it is surrounded by natural beauty which encompasses the ocean, mountains, evergreen forests and thousands of acres of parkland. Fans of the TV series such as Frasier and The Killing to name a few will recognise its futuristic Space Needle, a legacy of the 1962 World Fair and the city’s most recognisable landmark.
The Leg 6 stopover will last approximately ten days before Leg 7 departs, which we can also confirm will once again finish in New York.'
I am hoping that there will be time to explore the area surrounding Seattle including whale watching in Puget Sound. I have always wanted to visit this part of North America and hope that we will have time off the boat to do some sight seeing.
Some wonderful sea life waiting to be discovered!!
Then sailing into New York....
I am hoping that Becca and Tom might come and visit me in New York for a few days. Not too far to travel and Becca will probably have finished her degree by then.
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| Seattle, Washington State |
Following the epic race across the mighty Pacific Ocean, Leg 6 crew will be welcomed into the city’s Bell Harbor Marina in mid-April 2016, and Leg 7 crew members will kick start their American Coast to Coast adventure there later that month.
Seattle is in Washington State, positioned on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, and is known as the Emerald City as it is surrounded by natural beauty which encompasses the ocean, mountains, evergreen forests and thousands of acres of parkland. Fans of the TV series such as Frasier and The Killing to name a few will recognise its futuristic Space Needle, a legacy of the 1962 World Fair and the city’s most recognisable landmark.
The Leg 6 stopover will last approximately ten days before Leg 7 departs, which we can also confirm will once again finish in New York.'
 |
| Orca Whale in Puget Sound |
I am hoping that there will be time to explore the area surrounding Seattle including whale watching in Puget Sound. I have always wanted to visit this part of North America and hope that we will have time off the boat to do some sight seeing.
Some wonderful sea life waiting to be discovered!!
Then sailing into New York....
I am hoping that Becca and Tom might come and visit me in New York for a few days. Not too far to travel and Becca will probably have finished her degree by then.
UNICEF - Sponsor announced
We found out last week that our team sponsor is UNICEF !!
This 15-16 race is the tenth to be held and Clipper have donated the boat to UNICEF, the official race charity, and our team, 'Team Jim', have the honour of sailing round the world in her.
The boat is going to be officially named on August 24th at St Katharine's docks.
If you would like to help me to raise money for UNICEF then please go to the following link:
https://www.justgiving.com/Kate-Whyatt1
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| Our boat in Gosport Marina |
The boat is going to be officially named on August 24th at St Katharine's docks.
If you would like to help me to raise money for UNICEF then please go to the following link:
https://www.justgiving.com/Kate-Whyatt1
 |
| Some of 'Team UNICEF' at the crew team building weekend |
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