|
|
 |
As
we left the Canning half dock, we suddenly all realsed the full
impact of what we were about to embark on. The best bit was hearing
the Jersey Boat Song (Don`t Stop Me Now by Queen) as we went out
into the Mersey...and off we went!!!
The
actual race start was great for us, and we were 2nd over the line,
but then it went very badly wrong. One by one the other boats came
creeping by, and we couldn`t work out what the problem was. By the
end of the first `round the cans` phase in front of what seemed
like a huge crowd cheering from all the shoreline in front of the
Albert Dock, Jersey fell back in to last place!! Not good for the
crew at all, and we knew that the whole of the island of Jersey
must have had their hearts in their mouths at that stage. Hundreds
of small craft around, all wishing us well and also the TV cameras,
and there we were, not performing at all!
Jane noticed that the steering felt all wrong and the problem turned
out to be that the prop was still turnng. Minutes later the skip
and Ian our stoker sorted out the problem by literally putting a
spanner in the works,and we got properly under way competitively.
For the next hours we started to settle in to our boat routine,
and the full force of the poor weather started to take its toll
on those of us aboard with slightly queazy stomachs. We alll know
that we just have to get through this `acquisition of sea legs`
period, and I`m glad to report that by today we are for the most
part all in good shape and getting used to the very
different type of lives which lie in front of us for the coming
months.
The
new team is knitting together well, and the jokes are beginning
to flow, in between the serious sailing bit. `Only 27,000 quid for
a seeing a dolphin` said Steve to a retching round the worlder -
such sympathy!! The skipper is also regailing us with his sharp
miliray wit, and the Elvis Presley sounds blare out during happy
hour- the one time a day when we can `chill` a little bit and talk
to the other watch - who are normally ships in the night at this
stage.
Food
- what culinary delights have assaulted our taste buds to date!!
Actually, it has been mostly about getting the energy down us so
far, but
last night Tracey served up some great shepherds pie and also ,
ssshhhh, some veg!! And then to cap it all ,we had apple crumble
for pudding ! Eat your heart out, Raymond Blanc.
So
now for the next few days run into Cascais. We are just entering
Biscay now, and a force 7 is forecast to arrive soon, so the `Biscay
experience` is likely to be true to form, and in sharp contrast
to the light airs and fog we have had for the last 24 hours.
Jersey
Clipper is in fantastic shape, and both skipper and crew are gelling
finely together. And to cap it all Jersey currently has the least
miles to run to the finish line. I`m looking forward to Cascais
and a few Super Bock beers!!.
Ìý
|
