Jimmy Sails World
 
At 11:20 Q time (Qingdao) 011:20 GMT WE CROSSED THE EQUATOR!, Just during Baywatches off watch and I achieved a childhood dream! We were visited indeed by Neptune who, in the guise of Terry who has crossed before dressed as a tiger (shark), began to ask and absolve us of our sins before asking for our offering to Neptune and accepting it as worthy! He then proceeded to anoint us with goo (mayo, Brown sauce, Jam, Ketchup and thick coffee) to cleanse our souls before washing them away with the sea water! It was all very messy and after all were granted safe passage we toasted with a rum (very rough rum!) then it was time for a bit of a shower and bed ready for the next watch.
It was a fantastic event, lots of laughs and something to remember forever! I even get a little certificate!
In general things are going well, its so so hot, I am constantly wet with sweat (nice eh!) and cant wait for Rio and showers. We are fighting hard to hold 6th place from DLL, the weather failing to do as forecasts predicted have again been our issue! Ah well we never give up and you never know what will happen!

 
Sorry for the delay in writing but we've had a few busy days and then yesterday when it was calmer i could not get on the computer! Typical!! We've had a bit of a storm here a few days ago (you may have seen blogs and stuff) it was actually quite fun if exhausting to deal with. Not as scary as I thought it would be, the boat is so solid and it was a Force 8 storm, not to be sniffed at! Then we had to change course (back into wind) this means life at 45 degrees again. It's so draining for a while as everything is ten times harder to do! It's still very hot, bunks are now soaking wet with sweat! MMMMMM!!! Now have to sleep on top of my waterproof sleeping bag to stay dry from the bunk, and believe it or not people are dealing with it worse than me!! We are
doing ok, in 4th at the moment, praying for a miracle in the next 2000 miles to see if we can chase down a podium place... fingers crossed!
Saw some pilot whales just before the storm, a pod breaching through the water. Awesome! Have had some testing times too, the storm and everyone sleep deprived again. On brighter note we seemed to have escape the dreaded doldrums without too much hassle. Unlike Edinburgh! We should be on time into Rio if a little after the lead boats if all goes as it stands! Best laid plans and all!!
 
Well life is very hot at the moment so sleeping is not easy, combined with still getting into the watch pattern life is quite tough but enjoyable for most of it (3am till 7am watch not fun!!) the flying fish are awesome and so many (I think there are at least two species that we have seen.) This brings me on to Dave's (our other watch leader) fishing. Well he caught one little mackerel but the boat has caught at least 5 flying fish and two squid!!! Dave needs fishing lessons we think!!
We have created an air scoop to try and funnel air below and it seems to be working good so far. I am about to go wild and use our Solar shower for the first time, Having showered for the last time 6 days ago and since then have not stopped sweating I need it. It is basic and hung on the deck of the boat so no nudity!! but it is warm so I am told, not that I care at the moment its so hot! I will get back to you on the shower performance!

We are about 3-4 days away from the dreaded Doldrums and are constantly checking the weather reports to look for the best places to cross. If nothing else it may give me some time to read my book, not even had time to open it yet. Have had some great days and nights ploughing across the Atlantic with the stereo blasting out music (no one to complain or disturb out here, except for the masses of flying fish and dolphins! Its very cool!!

Im on mother watch tomorrow so after a long day of cooking on the move 8 hours sleep!!! I cant wait!!!!

As far as the race goes we would hope to be better placed but every time we seem to make gains the next report shows we have lost again, we are working hard and we will improve, dont give up on the Dragon just yet!
well shower time for me, I will be in touch soon
 
Race 2, of Leg 1 started today at 15:30 (BST): Madeira to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Come on QINGDAO!
 
Here is the story of race one to Madeira - We had an ok start clawing a few places back and rounded the marker in about 5th. We then took the bold move to go west for the wind. Apparently when the skippers and race officials looked at what we were doing they all thought we had this race in the bag! Oh how mother nature can deal cruel blows! No wind!! All forecasts wrong! We ended up going to anchor on three separate occasions just to stop us going backwards! The last time we were anchored in over 100m of water with 400m of rope and chain! This was a nightmare to pull up by hand and having it wrapped around our keel did not help. We needed to get Tom in the sea to see what was going on After a mamoth haul of the anchor we eventually started to get going . From then on it was almost too late our gamble had not paid off and we were at the back of the fleet could we get back in the game ? Well by some miracle we did! some hard work, multiple sail changes and some brave helming through up to force 8/9 storms left us ahead of Edinborough and just behind Geraldton! The last 48 hours were a blur, we worked so hard as a crew really pulling together and when we crossed the line..... 8th!!! We were elated you would have thought we had won! And I'm sure we did as we will take more from that hard won 8th than an easy 1st.

 
Today at 09.01:10 am Qingdao arrived in Quinta Do Lorde Marina, Maderia, in 8th position. 
 
Hi All, Its day 7 i think (well its Sunday the 7th) and we are out of the Bay of Biscay and finally heading to Madeira. I am having a great time (well most of it!)
As far as life on board is going after 1 week we have experienced so much. Its been a tale of extremes mainly a huge lack of wind! This has scuppered our game plan and after having to anchor on three consecutive days ( the last in over 100m of water, heck of a job to get it back up! )we found ourselves at the back of the fleet! We have then had storms and some rough seas to test our skills, patience, courage and stomachs! We have had some minor breakages (old rope mainly) which  have been more of a pain than anything. Exhaustion is in everyone's faces as 4 on 4 off  takes some getting used to but we will get there.
We are currently making good headway but any real time off in Madeira is looking slim! Ah well RIO awaits and we have had excellent training for the doldrums!!!
 
It’s a grey Tuesday morning and today is the day I leave my old life behind and become a full time sailor and crewmember on board Qingdao. I am full of mixed feelings at the moment as I frantically finish off a few bits of admin (Will, tax forms…you know the stuff!) part of me is so excited about getting back on my boat and getting this epic adventure underway. However the thought of missing family and friends can very easily bring tears to my eyes!

I have had an incredible few weeks catching up with friends (many of whom I had left it far too long to speak to) and or course drinking too much! It is sometimes easy to forget the number of people you have around you and how much they mean to you until you face not having them there for a while.

It is amazing feeling to have so many people around me, who mean so much to me and to also know just how much I mean to them in return, and trust me when I say those feelings will keep me going through the tough times and give me great stories to tell in the good times of this voyage.

So as I set off to join my team in Southampton, I just wanted to say…

THANKYOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!

You know who you are and you are loved and will be missed. Just keep the 22nd July 2012 (and a few days after) free, as we will have some partying to do!!!

James x


 
I am very excited to announce that I am sailing on the Chinese entry in the Clipper 11/12 RTW Yacht Race. Our beautiful boat Qingdao (you cant miss her.. Purple with big red dragons down the sides) will be my home for the next year. Having met my skipper (Ian Conchie) and crew (see the list on the Qingdao page of the clipper website) I could not be happier! Even with the knowledge that I am going to be racing against a Yorkshire boat! Ah well we may be rivals but at sea you are all family anyway so good luck to the Welcome to Yorkshire team and the rest of the clipper boats but remember…

…2012 is THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON!!!!

    Author


    Its like Jim Kirk but without the star dates and I'm not the captain!

     Well here is where you can get to find out a little more about how I'm getting on in my quest for adventure.

    I aim to keep you posted on my training (both how I cope with learning to sail and how I am getting into shape for the race), How I am doing with regards to funding and how much money I have raised for good causes.

    I intend on this to be a journal of everything connected to this epic adventure, so at times it may be funny, sometimes full of grumbles and sometimes down right crazy! but I hope at all times it will reflect my experiences and feelings at the time.

    So watch this space!!!

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