Thursday, August 16, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
A sail of two C's
Blimey it seems a long time ago... starting C1 training and exchanging main sails with all the other boats.An ale was called for team bonding,but I must admit I whimped out from the ales and stuck on the OJ.I'm glad as the days ahead I would be grateful of no hangover.
We set sail through the Channel with a quick wave at the Frogs and into the North Sea.I never realised how many Oil rigs there are.With night vision and mind games of these vast iron animals we headed for Rotterdam.I was with a great watch with everyone giving each other confidence and John did a fine job on the navigation.The Singapore lads Can-la and Cannot-la found it a little cold out there whilst the Skipper was still in his shorts and t-shirt.As we got closer to Rotterdam the seas swelled and the rains came harder.
Just on entering Rotterdam we had the misfortune of the main sail getting stuck, luckily we had Matty from Ull on board who was as keen as mustard to get up the mast ..and with a stern look from the skips up he went freeing the sail.. ..the skips must have a special touch ..as in minutes of the main coming down the storm hit.. winds of 55kts came in and The Lady Qing did a fine job feeling solid.It was my first taste of how she and for that matter I would cope.Seeing The Badger(skips Marcus)jumping all over the boat loving it made all the crew feel at ease and with a few jokes we all relaxed and enjoyed the ride into port.
On entering Rotterdam we followed New York into the harbour and once tide up The Badger announced it was time for a cheeky half with the two showers at full capacity and the queue way too long we went for that beer.. all I can say is ..Ice cold in Alex moment.
The next morning we had a few chores to do and I found myself sewing a runner onto the main.With sail now covered in my DNA the task was finished , I must say that sewing is quite therapeutic.
With farewells to the locals off we went to start the race to Hull in the Wilberforce Cup. A great la mans style start with TV crew on board off we went.We made a great start and the Badger choose a good line of sail... the winds were still strong and we rolled along. At 1.30 am , Carlo helming ,I on main ,the cry came form him .. 'F*** the wheels come off' with that I saw him do a crab move in mid air still holding onto the wheel.I controlled the main out and the Lady Qing found her own rhythm.. with that faster than Flash himself the Badger was up on deck.Within in 20 minutes we had the wheel back on and back on course. But sad to say we lost time, I would like to point out at this time , just before the incident we were on the heels of WA and with one more gust of wind would have surly taken her.
We should all remember ;If we look after the boat she will look after us.
Ull came in sight, the TV crew were happy and the lovely people of Ull came out and waved and made us feel welcome.
Once tide up the Badger cried for a cheeky half..after which i can t remember too much.
With crews changing Graham and I headed out for some breaky , a local pointed us to a pub (it was 10 am ) but don't worry because the pub opens at 9 am in Ull.We did some cleaning said our good byes and our new hellos.
The weather changed and the sky became blue, the people from Ull came out and wished as all well.With hangovers we waved back thanking them for their great hospitality.Ull should be visited , the locals are all friendly.
Leaving Ull
We sailed in moderate winds down the North sea into the Channel waved at the Frogs and with that the wind died.With new crew cracking jokes it became a totally different weeks sailing.Light winds to no wind, but this was a great opportunity to talk, learn and practice drills. We were lucky to have another skipper on board,Jerry from New York and a few of his crew.It was a joy to see both skippers helping us all.
With Christian/Chris/Christopher non stop funny stories , Max and his cooking and Logging and Abi and H dance routines the week went well.The New York guys Tony, H and Trevor it was a joy to have on board.
With a last minute call from the Badger for a cheeky half on Wednesday night in the Angel it made for a great week.Thursday once moored up in Gosport we went straight to the bar and thus after beers and shots we are ready for the America's cup
really looking forward to the next part .. hopefully i can get some pics up here.
We set sail through the Channel with a quick wave at the Frogs and into the North Sea.I never realised how many Oil rigs there are.With night vision and mind games of these vast iron animals we headed for Rotterdam.I was with a great watch with everyone giving each other confidence and John did a fine job on the navigation.The Singapore lads Can-la and Cannot-la found it a little cold out there whilst the Skipper was still in his shorts and t-shirt.As we got closer to Rotterdam the seas swelled and the rains came harder.
Just on entering Rotterdam we had the misfortune of the main sail getting stuck, luckily we had Matty from Ull on board who was as keen as mustard to get up the mast ..and with a stern look from the skips up he went freeing the sail.. ..the skips must have a special touch ..as in minutes of the main coming down the storm hit.. winds of 55kts came in and The Lady Qing did a fine job feeling solid.It was my first taste of how she and for that matter I would cope.Seeing The Badger(skips Marcus)jumping all over the boat loving it made all the crew feel at ease and with a few jokes we all relaxed and enjoyed the ride into port.
Rotterdam in a Force 10!
On entering Rotterdam we followed New York into the harbour and once tide up The Badger announced it was time for a cheeky half with the two showers at full capacity and the queue way too long we went for that beer.. all I can say is ..Ice cold in Alex moment.
'The Badger', Skipper Marcus.
The next morning we had a few chores to do and I found myself sewing a runner onto the main.With sail now covered in my DNA the task was finished , I must say that sewing is quite therapeutic.
With farewells to the locals off we went to start the race to Hull in the Wilberforce Cup. A great la mans style start with TV crew on board off we went.We made a great start and the Badger choose a good line of sail... the winds were still strong and we rolled along. At 1.30 am , Carlo helming ,I on main ,the cry came form him .. 'F*** the wheels come off' with that I saw him do a crab move in mid air still holding onto the wheel.I controlled the main out and the Lady Qing found her own rhythm.. with that faster than Flash himself the Badger was up on deck.Within in 20 minutes we had the wheel back on and back on course. But sad to say we lost time, I would like to point out at this time , just before the incident we were on the heels of WA and with one more gust of wind would have surly taken her.
We should all remember ;If we look after the boat she will look after us.
Ull came in sight, the TV crew were happy and the lovely people of Ull came out and waved and made us feel welcome.
Once tide up the Badger cried for a cheeky half..after which i can t remember too much.
With crews changing Graham and I headed out for some breaky , a local pointed us to a pub (it was 10 am ) but don't worry because the pub opens at 9 am in Ull.We did some cleaning said our good byes and our new hellos.
The weather changed and the sky became blue, the people from Ull came out and wished as all well.With hangovers we waved back thanking them for their great hospitality.Ull should be visited , the locals are all friendly.
Leaving Ull
We sailed in moderate winds down the North sea into the Channel waved at the Frogs and with that the wind died.With new crew cracking jokes it became a totally different weeks sailing.Light winds to no wind, but this was a great opportunity to talk, learn and practice drills. We were lucky to have another skipper on board,Jerry from New York and a few of his crew.It was a joy to see both skippers helping us all.
With Christian/Chris/Christopher non stop funny stories , Max and his cooking and Logging and Abi and H dance routines the week went well.The New York guys Tony, H and Trevor it was a joy to have on board.
H and Abi warming up for a routine
With a last minute call from the Badger for a cheeky half on Wednesday night in the Angel it made for a great week.Thursday once moored up in Gosport we went straight to the bar and thus after beers and shots we are ready for the America's cup
really looking forward to the next part .. hopefully i can get some pics up here.
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