Madeira

Hi chaps , just in Madiera now after a 10 day race from Southampton. After the big send off weekend it took a while to settle in to the daily life on board especially as you will have seen we had to drop the anchor twice , I thought I had signed up for a sailing trip! We eventually got going when the wind picked up and turned the corner into the Bay of Biscay. Things got a bit choppier then and we broke the clipper record for the most miles done in 12hours not much consolation though when we got to Madiera last. You can imagine how I felt about that( come second you've lost). Life on board takes some getting used to each day seems to take a long time to go by as you are up and back to bed three times in any one day,. We have been non stop mending and making things I have spent hours and hours on rope sipping and sewing of storage pockets and various other things. The food is quite good really, lots of pasta with sauces and rice with curry. Not a lot of meat . We have a lot of Mars bars and minstrels on board and haribos so they supplement the diet. Mike at work is running a sweep stake on my weight loss. So update is a bit has gone but still got the tummy rolls! Seen a few dolphins and heard some whales in the distance at night blowing. Other than that got see Madiera's spectacular mountains as we came in. Mandy and Penny and her friend Lara were here to meet me which was great. However because we ripped a spinica in half , actually more than half we had a good attempt at destroying it and I am in the sail mending team (of 2) we have spent the whole stop over in the sail loft with the sail streched out sticking, ironing and sewing . I would never have believed we could have mended it but this trip is full of highs and lows and after 17 hours constant work with Mandy grafting away on her knees we eventually pieced it all together. Next race starts today down to Rio 3.5 weeks so let's see how we do. Our team are all good but we need to focus more on sailing rather than mending the boat. The winning team were very focused on the sailing with their skipper driving them on and pushing them to the limits , he had them sitting on the rail for four hours at a time , and that is what you need to win. Our boat is a bit like a sunshine cruise compared.  The skipper very much leaves us to our selves to sail the boat so maybe we need to be more focused. Anyway enough of that next race 7 hours away so need to get going . Love to you all at home and thanks for all the support at the send off weekend and keep in touch through the email I will try to reply in Rio. Cheers David 

Thursday.......I think

Not really sure what day it is and am very tired, on mother watch today so been up since 2am and it is now 1.30pm.  It's been a very frustrating race start, we went out into the channel and there was no wind, in fact on two occasions we had the tide against us and we were going backwards so had to drop the anchor! The 3rd day was once again slow along the coast of France. Eventually we managed to get into the Bay of Biscay and the sea became lumpy and the wind blew quite strong. I was watch leader for 2 shifts as Keith my main watch leader was on Mother duty. it all went well with highs and lows but it was the longest 4 hours because I just wanted it to finish without incident.  I suppose I'll get used to it the more I get to know the boat. Today (I think it's Thursday) we hit another wind hole so progress poor and the other boats are further south and nearer the land so we are not doing very well but there's still a long way to go. Not sure if we are going to make Maderia in time to see Mandy and Penny, it is just so slow. 

Everyone onboard is great and we all seem to get on ok not personal friends or anything as really early days but no arguments or stress although a few people are ill. 

Thought this might help Mike at work with the weight loss sweepstake

We've got the media on board so loads of filming and interviews.
Thanks to all of you who came to see me in Southampton, what and amazing send off you were all brilliant and I loved being able to hold the Olympic torch, thanks also to everyone who sent cards and best wishes.  I hope you are all following the race viewer. Must go as Skip needs the computer!

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

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

34days to go

Well it's Monday so the start of one week closer to the off date. On Wednesday I set off for my level 4 training which is out on our boat Edinburgh Insiping Capital. There crew on board is made up of the people I will be sailing with around the world, so that will be good to meet them. We have a few days training then we will be racing the other boats in the first proper race. There is supposed to be a helicopter doing some filming of all the boats racing together for the Clipper publicity.
Had the last of my injections today so yellow fevered up and ready to go.
James and Will Booth of going on their 6 week trip to Vietnam on Friday and as I leave for training on Wednesday means the goodbyes start tomorrow. Depends what James ends up doing next year as to when I will see him next. Starting to dawn on me now I will miss the exam results , university decisions and if he is lucky the start of his new life at university.
Our anniversary today next one is the big one 25 years and I will be somewhere in the Middle of the Atlantic.
Happy days.

37 days to go

Well the days are flying by. So much to do and so little time. You would think after knowing about this for over a year you could prepare well in advance. However the everyday things in life seem to disrupt my best intentions. Anyway new mail address done. Blog site sorted. kit all bought. Thanks Glen for all your help IPhone? Not sorted.
Been for check up at dentist thanks Simon. Doctors for year supply cream!
On level 4 training next week so that should be good. A while since I have been on the boat so should be good to have that awakening of just how uncomfortable it is going to be for a year. Picture below of my new home.



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First Blog

Learning how to use the blog for my trip



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Location:Essex St,,United Kingdom