Getting Close

 Friday the 14th and just a few days to go .
The past weeks have been time spent around the boat.I have pulled apart the winches and put back , help re rig , clean , mend and over all done a great job ... haha
After the C1 and C2 training and the visits to Ull (hull for those who did not understand) I did some courses on Sea survival,First Aid and Radio .. all of which I am glad to have done .The sea survival was a little dramatic with some pool action but no cocktails this time and life rafts being turned over and drills being done .First aid was handy after the having a large night before and the recovery position came in handy. And the radio course was like quoting the Nikkei Roll .

I then did C4 training and we entered the channel waved at the Frenchies once more and picked up the winds .it was with some new crew members and was a joy. We had a Pirate Steve .. just out of Dodge ball ..but a BBC version and he will be bringing some noodles and chili source for the trip he tells me, we had the King Logger Charlie and the Wise ladies of Kay and Linda.. All a joy .
The winds were nice with a F6  on day two ,I found myself on the wheel with Carey the massage lady on the main .. when all of a sudden the coast guard came over and wanted to do a rescue Drill. The Skipper told me to keep the boat straight and concentrate.. With the Helicopter over head .. they lowered a man down towards our boat .. I was so focused that I never saw him standing behind me .. Carey did a great job easing the main and we kept the boat dead straight .. after 5 mins the Helicopter came back and picked up there man .
The next day we had Photo shoot .. where the winds picked up to F8 sun out .. and I Found myself in the midst of the action,which was all by accident as I was making my way to the rail. I was at the mast pulling up all the sails , the Boat was well over powered for the camera .. and it was a tiring journey for an hour. 
I think the photos should be on the web site .  www.clipperroundtheworld.com and www.qingdaoclipper.com

At the end of the week we had a great dinner on the Boat which Andy cooked with lots of beer and music.

We then sailed to Liverpool with Stops in Falmouth and Holyhead .. a few beers and some great jokes were told .. even though no one new what Chris was talking about .. nor did he.
On the trip up we had Dolphins most the may jumping over the Bow ..and  a few Sharks ...What a joy nature is.

The Boat has all it food on board .. well done to Carlo .. the Sails are ready .. mind you our Yankee 1 ( a fore sail came with holes in it ) .I was fortunate to go on the sail repair course so i know how to mend it .. but more fortunate I had V with me who is a great seamstress .. so she mended it .. good girl.


I will try and update as we go from the boat ..   please don't forget about my charity .. justgiving.com/garyjessop     see if we can all help .



will try and make sense a little later

ciaoo for now