Sunday, July 24, 2011

Farewell Poem

Poem written for me by Ritrama one of our paper suppliers, John Dean you are brilliant, thanks.



Clipper round The world
David Webster the explorer!!!!!

A little rhyme to send you on your way
Around the world for many a day
In sailing yacht you will go
How long you’ll take no one knows
Yorkshire boat we thought you’d do
but it seems you’ve joined the Edinburgh crew
This trip you’ve planned for many a year
And now your time is finally here
What a trip it’s going to be
I only wish you could take me
 A year off work you must take
And no more labels you will make
Kevin and Zena will run the show
I’m sure they’ll give it a good go
Ritrama will help with good supplies
I’m sure that won’t be a big surprise
We’ll also help supply the grub
And take Phil for his regular sub
Mandy your wife you leave behind
But as always you’ve been kind
A little dog you have bought
To keep her company what a nice thought
While you’re away you become FIVE O
who’d believe this I don’t know
Your silver wedding you also miss
25 years of wedded bliss
But your ambition you must achieve
And you will do it we all believe
So now it’s time to start the trip
Hold on tight and get a grip
40,000 miles you must travel
All 8 legs to unravel
Your first leg UK to Brazil
What a journey what a thrill
English channel, Bay of Biscay
Through shipping lanes along the way
Through the Canaries middle or starboard
A decision for your captain on board
The trade winds come as some relief
And through the doldrums with great belief
Arrive in Rio and all that heat
The relaxing sound of the samba beat
Four days off but please don’t gloat
You need to plan and restock the boat
Christ the redeemer will send you on leg 2
With some old friends and some new crew
Destination Africa the journey goes on
3390 miles hopefully in sun
Clear nights you’ll see the stars
 So clear you can almost make out Mars
Spinnakers will be the sail you choose
This race you don’t want to lose
After many days and many nights
Africa should be in your sights
An African welcome awaits you in harbour
And maybe a trip to an African barber
Maybe a safari you will take
While on your little African break
The wanders of the Stellenbosch
Bloody hell David you are so posh
Then back on board you must get
back to sailing and getting wet
The Southern ocean sleigh ride awaits you
Along with old friends and new crew
Parade past all the waving crowds
The vuvuzela can be so loud
Cape of Good Hope awaits your yacht
Time to give it all you’ve got
Strong winds expected on the way
Use them well and you could gain a day
Inky blackness in the night
But GPS will keep you right
Large ocean swells everybody knows
The crew they must be on their toes
And soon Western Australia you will reach
And lay upon that sun kissed beach
Relax and have a beer or two
And maybe an Aussie barbeque
Watch out for the Aussie Pommy bashers
And remind them all we won the Ashes
Relax and get your land legs back
Enjoy the break and the Aussie craic
Because you know you’ll soon be
On your yacht back out at sea
Leg 4 Cape Leeuwin waits for you
Along with crew old and new
Another trip along ocean wave
David I do think you’re brave
South past Tasmania look out for the devil
Keep the boat straight and on the level
The Pacific Ocean you will reach
Before your next stop on the beach
Your next sleep in a decent bed
Will be the next stop in N.Z.
One little entry for your diary
Will be the warm welcome received from the Maori
The Haka they might do for you
While you sip a beer or two
Then back on board for a short skip
To Eastern Australia a pleasant trip
Maybe another barbeque
You may even see a kangaroo
Then back on board and what will amaze ya
Flipping heck you’re off to Asia
Into prevailing winds up the Gold Coast
say goodbye to your Aussie hosts
Pass Papua New Guinea on the way
At sea for Over 30 days
The next stop is in Singapore
Who could really ask for more
Cosmopolitan City a bit of high life
And maybe a call home to the wife
Then back on board to China you sail
you must keep going you cannot fail
Thermals on it could get cold
You might even see snow we’re told
Spinnaker up you know how
The next stop China, Port Qingdao
Here you continue on your path
And may be asked for the odd autograph
We can be heroes the old song goes
In China your reputation grows
And now the mighty Pacific to conquer
Some people may think you’re bonkers
But it’s a challenge you must do
I’m sure you can you will get through
Qingdao California 33 days
5680 miles along the way
I’m sure this is somewhere you will get
But it would be quicker by jumbo jet
Pacific rollers every day
Will help your yacht along the way
Tracked along by the odd Albatross
As young people say proper boss
When you feel the warmth you’ll know it’s time
For some California Sunshine
When you arrive you know you’ve beat
The mightiest ocean, what a feat
The next leg you may enjoy the most
America from coast to coast
California to Panama
Don’t worry it’s not that far
Inshore or offshore you must decide
Which wind is best to help you glide
Engineering wonders with your pals
Sailing down the Panama Canal
Through the locks down and up
Trying to win this challenge cup
Through Caribbean waters with oceans blue
Will take another day or two
Then to New York from the west coast
The Statue of Liberty will be your host
Again you’re treated like heroes
And moored up next to ground zero
Sights to see Empire State
See the Yankees with your mates
Central Park you’ll be in heaven
As you finish off leg 7

So to the final leg we come
But still the race is not all done
To Canada only a stones throw away
you will arrive there in 8 days
The warmest welcome you will receive
And stop over for a short reprieve
Then back on board you’re homeward bound
To the Irish Coast European ground
13 days when seas may be rough
You can look forward to a pint of the black stuff
Then a short trip to Amsterdam
Your nearly there you are the man
Buy some tulips for the Wife
One more day she’ll be back in your life
So then it’s back to good old blighty
With a Toast to your yacht that has been mighty
Champagne reception will welcome you
Along with an old friend or two
Back to England to a normal life
Back home to Mandy your wonderful wife
A wonderful adventure you will of had
Remember the good times not the bad
Dolphins whales you’ll of seen them all
I’m sure you’ll love it and have a ball
 Good luck to you I wish you well
I look forward to the stories you will tell
Please come back soon when you are able
Back to making sticky labels

A John Deane production copyright reserved July 2011
www.lost4wordsuk.co.uk

Friday, July 8, 2011

Work send off

Although it is 2weeks until I leave work with other people on holiday everyone decided it was time to give me an embarrassing send off. It was fantastic , the team had made a boat with sail anchor the lot. I had to dress up in an amerals outfit with an extra touch of a Scotish ginger wig! Copious themed present such as fishermens friends bucket and toilet rolls for an on suit toilet! A large treasure chest of products from every country I will be visiting, so much thought had gone into the day it was great.
Two further items made the day a gold St Christefer and a year book with a photo of all my employees with a comment underneath. Fantastic