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

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