Up & Humber

I'm feeling the hot flush of the tired. I'm experiencing waves of nausea and a general disquiet that can only be associated with our arrival in Dover.... not because of Dover, by the way, more because our delivery has been knackering already and we've only been away from Gosport for a day and 'arf! It's been tough though, I'm not complaining but I'm convinced our watch draw the short straw having to wake at 2am for a four hour stint till dawn.

Also, it may seem a little wet but the fleet has collectively descided to pitch up into harbour because gale force winds are forecast on our route up north. Gale force winds I hear you cry! I know! I think some members of the crew will be facing more than a little strong winds and rough seas out in Southern Ocean and I suspect they'd enjoy a bit of practice. Us Atlantic lot aren't expecting to face seven weeks of flat calms either! But no the draw of Dover was too strong and as I sit in the saloon, the majority of my crew mates reacquaiting themselves with their bunk for a few more hours, I can hear the final throws of Tropical Storm Daniel whipping its way round the halyards of our neighbouring boats.

Now I'm hardcore but today I'm glad I'm not close-hauled off the coast of Norfolk and anyway we've been given strict instructions not to arrive in Grimsby before Thursday evening. If we were attempting a speed record then perhaps today would be the day, but no, we would like to arrive with sails, crew and steering column intact (unlike Quingdao whose steering wheel conveniently fell off near the seaside party town of Brighton). And anyway, I'm sure Clipper wouldn't want that sort of publicity.

"Clipper crew on upturned hull off Yarmouth"

Or

"Clipper crew on upturned hull off the Antartic Circle. Penguins come to the rescue!"

Follow our progress on www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Hanging with the Big Guns

I've never been one for autograph albums but I'm slightly disappointed that I've not invested in one. Not only did I accost/meet Sir Robin Knox Johnson, with whom I shared a tale or two about sore bottoms, but Crew Singapore bumped into Hilary Lister a quadraplegic sailor who has literally just arrived in Dover after her circumnavigation of Britain. With camera in hand I accosted/met her too! It does look as if I'm pulling her hair out, but it was necessary to hold her head. Her condition leaves her unable to move from the neck down. It just goes to show there are far more challenging things in life than an early morning watch.

Check out this incredible woman: www.hilarylister.com