Derry to Den Helder

Massive send off in Derry as mentioned before we then motored down the loch to the open sea where The Webbo supporters were on the start line. We were 1st over the line even with me on the helm! Unfortunately we had the yankee 2 up and many boats had the 1 so it was not long until we were overtaken. We were 2 days sailing up the West Coast of Scotland, one of which I was on mother watch made much easier by the fact Mandy had baked fruit cake and chocolate brownies which I could present at lunch time and dinner! It was quite rough but I had the long lie in on mother watch, after Derry it was good to get some much needed sleep. It was more comfortable as we reached across the top of Scotland and although it was misty we could see the islands. Being the summer it was light for most of the night which made the double night shift easier. We made some tactical decisions which did not really pay off but it was a shit or bust situation podium or 7th we used to say! As you know by now we came in 9th but it was quite exciting 5 boats finished with in an hour and a half of each other we were 10 minutes behind Yorkshire. It was a real drag race with kites up to the finnish. I have to say this was our last chance we felt to get a podium and a number of us were really disappointed.  The Scottish cost line was very beautiful and we saw lots of sea birds including puffins. The feeling the trip is coming to an end is all too real and people are talking about missing each other and life at home jobs etc. Amsterdam the last blow out and yes we have done the culture Van Gough museum , bike tour and canal tour as well as the less salubrious areas!!!!!  One more little trip across the channel about 3 days and back for the celebrations in Southampton. Nearly all over and then what.???  

The Atlantic

Halifax to Derry
So why did I think it would be so easy? Maybe the long stop over in New York, the short trip up to Halifax or the hype of the last ocean crossing before home! Bang, Crash, Wallop! Back into head winds, full foulies  and the freezing cold. To think I always wanted to sail the Atlantic, and I was just dismissing this as a short trip.  It may not have been the three weeks of the Pacific but the reality of sailing an ocean was soon brought back to me. The start in Halifax was great, an upwind sail to a mark then we all popped the spinnakers and because we were at the front in 3rd we had a fantastic view of all the fleet with their kites up. Look at the photo, trust Yorkshire to have it inside out!!!

New York and erihskroY ot emocleW !

Darius on the helm

The weather was very cold and misty and the seas rough, we decided to go north away from the pack as we were 20 miles behind and did not want to just follow the fleet, go out on a limb for a podium place! The generator was still broken and because we were on a port tack the engine inlet valve was on starboard so the engine stopped working. Everything was shut down in order to conserve power. These Clipper boats are tired and our port inlet had been blocked off for some reason, after a few days we managed to rig an inlet pipe from the generator inlet to the engine and the ability to charge the batteries was restored. The fog and cold continued and reality set in when Tropical storm Chris blew up and turned into hurricane Chris yes this was going to be yet another crossing with abnormal weather pattens.

Normal Sailing Attire, wind in my hair!

Dad had his 80th birthday and I managed to give him a ring from the satellite phone, I was very sorry to miss the party however Gouldylocks took part of the clipper weekly video and recorded me wishing dad a happy birthday, against rules but it is who you know, or should I say on a boat who you haven't pissed off!! The trip was really only a few weeks and although it was tough and a real reality check somehow we knew we were on the way home. The last 5 days were a full on storm with the last day being Keiths birthday and didn't he know it . Instead of the happy birthday song every hour which we usually have his was every 20 minutes and involved a big hug or an all pile on, he hates physical contact but quietly underneath he loved it.

In terms of wildlife on day 3 we saw a turtle, really not sure what it was doing in this part of the world, obviously bad navigating!  Also the same night, just as I had got into my bunk there was a loud bang and the boat jolted.  You get used to all the sounds on board and the crashes through the waves but this one was quite different, not bad enough to get me up but I learned on the next shift that we had hit a whale! It surfaced of the port side and appeared to be OK, bet it had a bruise!





As our engine gear box did not work we were met at the finish line by a tug to tow us the 20 miles up the loch to Derry. What a reception we received it was fantastic there were fireworks massive crowds a banner wishing Keith a happy birthday, he was so touched!! Just unbelievable. I personally had a crowd of supporters, Mandy and a surprise visit from Penny which was lovely. The whole Booth family who were as loud as usual and who we could hear from miles away. Mum and Dad and Clare my nice were all there as well it was great. They had followed us the 20 miles down the loch and stopped to wave flags at every point they could, a sea of purple shirts! I was so glad The Booths had seen a Clipper arrival and this was one of the best.
The reason this blog is late is the Derry stop over was just Mega, the town had a massive festival and everyone was so pleased to see the boats. We had a sponsored pub, The Anchor, the first night we nearly drank the whole of the booze he had stocked up for us for the week! We also nearly brought the mezzanine floor down dancing. It was a great Craic!! I'm afraid with the Booths/Penny influence every night ended up being  a party night.  Very, very late nights and lots to drink. We did manage a day trip to the Giants causeway and to Belfast to see the flat James will be living in next year. Cris his flat mate came up to Derry to see the boats and stopped over so it was good to meet him and yes, have another night out. There were 2 open air concerts put on by Derry council which were great.  After the first concert I was quite surprised seeing it was near the end of the week that Mandy was encouraging us to call in at the Anchor after the concert, should have guessed there was a surprise,  Pete and Nicky had flown over for the weekend, fantastic to see them and yes another excuse to have a party....... and so it went on.

Bye Derry!

Bye Sir Robin!

The send off from Derry was probably the best of all the places we visited. It was estimated at 30 thousand people lined the one and a half mile promenade, with ticker tape send off. I was hoarse from shouting "Thank you Derry!" from the boat procession which always got a massive response from the crowd plus the odd flash of the kilts to really egg them on. So off we set on a quick trip around Scotland!