Durban to Fremantle
After what was a fantastic welcome to our home port a really hospitable stay where the hospitality was second to none, we prepared for our departure.
We set off from Durban with the most fantastic supporting flotilla of yachts and power boats, Durban sailing community certainly got fully behind all the Clipper boats as we left the marina and went out in to the bay. The ‘lady in white’ sang from the shore a very traditional way of wishing safe passage to mariners leaving on a voyage from Durban. We set about hoisting our sails only to find that having spent considerable time checking rigging etc whilst in port just as we got the main sail to the top of the mast there was a sudden groan from the deck as the main sail came tumbling down once again! The knot on the shackle had broken the sail was back on the deck but the halyard had also come off the sheave and was also in a pile on the deck. We pulled the remainder from the mast and hastily set about re-setting the halyard. It took us about 30 minutes to re-set the halyard and re-launch the main sail, we were all thankful that happened before the actual race start. The start was just off shore with Spinnaker run down to a mark, we were slow over the line, all went well in fairly light winds, we launched our spinnaker as necessary, the whole start went really smoothly though unfortunately we were 7th or 8th over the line. The massive flotilla, gin palaces etc stayed out with us for some time though by dusk we were alone setting course south with excitement and trepidation as to what lay ahead in the roaring forties. As normal the yachts were is visual contact with each other for the first few hours then one by one we lost contact with each other that first night we had some of the yachts in view on the horizon we were on watch and thought we saw a yacht going back towards Durban! The conclusion drawn was tat it must be one of the last spectator boats making its way back. The following morning we learnt the trust it was probably in fact New York, that had an injured crew man and the decision had been made to set course back to Durban drop the casualty off before returning to the race. New York unfortunately never fully recovered from that early set back though they made significant in roads in to catching the fleet up. We decided early on to go south early which seemed to be working two other boats seemed to be follow the same plan with the rest staying north of the magical 40 degree south line of latitude. After approximately a week in to the race all the boats made it south, our early move had worked out well we were leading albeit only just. There were several new legers on board and they were settling in well many people had picked this leg because of the big seas of the southern ocean, we had been promised a ride of a lifetime, running downwind surfing mountainous waves at speeds possibly reaching 30 knots (current recorded maximum was 29 knots), the reality unfortunately was somewhat different, since leaving Durban we had been following a high pressure system, we had reasonable winds, carried out numerous sail changes to exploit the winds but no big sea surfing, there was a degree of disappointment on board the promised winds had not materialised. We followed the high pressure system all the way across the Southern Ocean, the boat really only coming alive in the last few days as we tacked upwind on our approach to Fremantle. We believe the decisive moment that allowed us to pull away from the fleet and enhance our first place was following some shrewd interpretation of the weather charts by Ricky and the decision to head North when the rest of the fleet were still South we were going to slip North in a narrow corridor of wind that sat exactly right for us. We set course and within 24 hours were well clear, it felt good following the disappointments of the Southern Atlantic. We were en-route for the finish line in Fremantle. Western Australia were for a long time south of us but we began to notice in the Schedules them making rapid progress North, in the end they were pressing us really hard to the point that as we rounded ?? island we were unsure if they were ahead or behind us; they too had found a strong wind corridor to bring them North. As with so many races the first three or four boats arrive in relatively close time, something always surprising given the distances involved and how spread out we all are on occasions. We were approaching the finish having sailed the Southern Ocean, in reality we had on just tipped our ‘toe in the water’ latitudes at 50 and 60 are where the real action is in the Southern Ocean, to go deep South to round Cape Horn is an experience that will have to be held over for another day. Given that we were not that far South nevertheless there was a feeling of wilderness, of a place where no one goes (indeed very few do) throughout the entire time we saw no shipping very little bird or sea life it was almost as if why would anyone go there it goes no-where, ok the Antarctic if that’s your wish certainly not a route to areas of significant population. I felt really alone out there, lost in the desert of salt water, a sea where you could get lost forever. The new crew had fitted in well on this leg though we all sensed that maybe those guys who joined for the thrill of the Southern Ocean may feel a little let down, nonetheless they had spend their time with a great bunch of people, some with annoying and difficult personalities and ways, some who were really great people to be around, a reminder really that this race is as much about the people involved as it is about the race. There continued to be some concerns with Ricky and his communication in the boat, many still felt they could not relate to him and his mood/personality was difficult at times, once in Fremantle this was to be formally addressed, a review initiated by Ricky and developed by the crew, something I feel has been such appositive step and has improved the mood on board by two hundred percent a win for all involved and maybe an even faster boat …. we shall see.
We were in sight of the finish line I was really excited not just because we were in the lead which was fantastic in itself but from a very selfish point I was to see my son Daniel for the first time since the emotional farewell in Liverpool. I had been in contact via email regularly, had spoken to him over the phone at stopover ports but it was really special to be able to hold him close and give him one of those big cuddles that parents love to give their children. My sister had been emailing me and had told me of his safe arrival with Gary. I am truly grateful to Gary for being prepared to take the responsibility of travelling out with Daniel, they got on really well and I sense became good mates which I’m really pleased about. My cousin Sue called my mobile unfortunately I couldn’t hear her; I was hoping everything was alright!! We were almost at the finish line we were tacking under full sail, we turned the final corner to approach the main harbour and the finish line, there I saw the South African flag and my boy waving frantically, I can’t really describe how I felt inside I know I had the biggest smile ever all over my face. There was Susan Gary and Daniel all waving and cheering us in, we sailed past them as they stood at the end of the breakwater and crossed the finish line, we were first in to Fremantle, what a fantastic Christmas present to all of us, I knew this was going to be the best Christmas I had ever had. We made our way down to Immigration and went through the very rigorous process Australia applies to everyone entering their wonderful country. Sails down and packed away we went with a local pilot across the busy harbour towards the Marina, as we approached the pontoon Daniel, Sue and Gary were waiting just feet away, we went alongside, lines on and I was quickly off, I had my boy in my arms, I welled up once again with a mixture of emotions, my Daniel is the most important person in my life here we were together on the other side of the world. We both new I think that the next few weeks were going to be a time we will both remember for the rest of our lives. I showed Sue and Gary the chaos below decks, they got a sense of the way we live whilst at sea. I got a few things together in a bag and got off the boat, we were to stay with Sue for the complete stopover. Fremantle sailing club had laid on a welcome bbq with the necessary beer, which of course was graciously received, to be honest if was woofed down in desperation, fresh meat and beer essential commodities we had gone without for almost three whole weeks, the pleasures one temporarily gives up for the sport of sailing!! After a couple of beers I was ready to go I wanted to spend the maximum time I could with Daniel. We sat together in the back of Susans car he didn’t want to hold my hand though, he was growing up fast, my boy was becoming a young man, he was now at senior school and rapidly becoming not my little boy any more, I love him so much and am so proud to be there with him.
After what was a fantastic welcome to our home port a really hospitable stay where the hospitality was second to none, we prepared for our departure.
We set off from Durban with the most fantastic supporting flotilla of yachts and power boats, Durban sailing community certainly got fully behind all the Clipper boats as we left the marina and went out in to the bay. The ‘lady in white’ sang from the shore a very traditional way of wishing safe passage to mariners leaving on a voyage from Durban. We set about hoisting our sails only to find that having spent considerable time checking rigging etc whilst in port just as we got the main sail to the top of the mast there was a sudden groan from the deck as the main sail came tumbling down once again! The knot on the shackle had broken the sail was back on the deck but the halyard had also come off the sheave and was also in a pile on the deck. We pulled the remainder from the mast and hastily set about re-setting the halyard. It took us about 30 minutes to re-set the halyard and re-launch the main sail, we were all thankful that happened before the actual race start. The start was just off shore with Spinnaker run down to a mark, we were slow over the line, all went well in fairly light winds, we launched our spinnaker as necessary, the whole start went really smoothly though unfortunately we were 7th or 8th over the line. The massive flotilla, gin palaces etc stayed out with us for some time though by dusk we were alone setting course south with excitement and trepidation as to what lay ahead in the roaring forties. As normal the yachts were is visual contact with each other for the first few hours then one by one we lost contact with each other that first night we had some of the yachts in view on the horizon we were on watch and thought we saw a yacht going back towards Durban! The conclusion drawn was tat it must be one of the last spectator boats making its way back. The following morning we learnt the trust it was probably in fact New York, that had an injured crew man and the decision had been made to set course back to Durban drop the casualty off before returning to the race. New York unfortunately never fully recovered from that early set back though they made significant in roads in to catching the fleet up. We decided early on to go south early which seemed to be working two other boats seemed to be follow the same plan with the rest staying north of the magical 40 degree south line of latitude. After approximately a week in to the race all the boats made it south, our early move had worked out well we were leading albeit only just. There were several new legers on board and they were settling in well many people had picked this leg because of the big seas of the southern ocean, we had been promised a ride of a lifetime, running downwind surfing mountainous waves at speeds possibly reaching 30 knots (current recorded maximum was 29 knots), the reality unfortunately was somewhat different, since leaving Durban we had been following a high pressure system, we had reasonable winds, carried out numerous sail changes to exploit the winds but no big sea surfing, there was a degree of disappointment on board the promised winds had not materialised. We followed the high pressure system all the way across the Southern Ocean, the boat really only coming alive in the last few days as we tacked upwind on our approach to Fremantle. We believe the decisive moment that allowed us to pull away from the fleet and enhance our first place was following some shrewd interpretation of the weather charts by Ricky and the decision to head North when the rest of the fleet were still South we were going to slip North in a narrow corridor of wind that sat exactly right for us. We set course and within 24 hours were well clear, it felt good following the disappointments of the Southern Atlantic. We were en-route for the finish line in Fremantle. Western Australia were for a long time south of us but we began to notice in the Schedules them making rapid progress North, in the end they were pressing us really hard to the point that as we rounded ?? island we were unsure if they were ahead or behind us; they too had found a strong wind corridor to bring them North. As with so many races the first three or four boats arrive in relatively close time, something always surprising given the distances involved and how spread out we all are on occasions. We were approaching the finish having sailed the Southern Ocean, in reality we had on just tipped our ‘toe in the water’ latitudes at 50 and 60 are where the real action is in the Southern Ocean, to go deep South to round Cape Horn is an experience that will have to be held over for another day. Given that we were not that far South nevertheless there was a feeling of wilderness, of a place where no one goes (indeed very few do) throughout the entire time we saw no shipping very little bird or sea life it was almost as if why would anyone go there it goes no-where, ok the Antarctic if that’s your wish certainly not a route to areas of significant population. I felt really alone out there, lost in the desert of salt water, a sea where you could get lost forever. The new crew had fitted in well on this leg though we all sensed that maybe those guys who joined for the thrill of the Southern Ocean may feel a little let down, nonetheless they had spend their time with a great bunch of people, some with annoying and difficult personalities and ways, some who were really great people to be around, a reminder really that this race is as much about the people involved as it is about the race. There continued to be some concerns with Ricky and his communication in the boat, many still felt they could not relate to him and his mood/personality was difficult at times, once in Fremantle this was to be formally addressed, a review initiated by Ricky and developed by the crew, something I feel has been such appositive step and has improved the mood on board by two hundred percent a win for all involved and maybe an even faster boat …. we shall see.
We were in sight of the finish line I was really excited not just because we were in the lead which was fantastic in itself but from a very selfish point I was to see my son Daniel for the first time since the emotional farewell in Liverpool. I had been in contact via email regularly, had spoken to him over the phone at stopover ports but it was really special to be able to hold him close and give him one of those big cuddles that parents love to give their children. My sister had been emailing me and had told me of his safe arrival with Gary. I am truly grateful to Gary for being prepared to take the responsibility of travelling out with Daniel, they got on really well and I sense became good mates which I’m really pleased about. My cousin Sue called my mobile unfortunately I couldn’t hear her; I was hoping everything was alright!! We were almost at the finish line we were tacking under full sail, we turned the final corner to approach the main harbour and the finish line, there I saw the South African flag and my boy waving frantically, I can’t really describe how I felt inside I know I had the biggest smile ever all over my face. There was Susan Gary and Daniel all waving and cheering us in, we sailed past them as they stood at the end of the breakwater and crossed the finish line, we were first in to Fremantle, what a fantastic Christmas present to all of us, I knew this was going to be the best Christmas I had ever had. We made our way down to Immigration and went through the very rigorous process Australia applies to everyone entering their wonderful country. Sails down and packed away we went with a local pilot across the busy harbour towards the Marina, as we approached the pontoon Daniel, Sue and Gary were waiting just feet away, we went alongside, lines on and I was quickly off, I had my boy in my arms, I welled up once again with a mixture of emotions, my Daniel is the most important person in my life here we were together on the other side of the world. We both new I think that the next few weeks were going to be a time we will both remember for the rest of our lives. I showed Sue and Gary the chaos below decks, they got a sense of the way we live whilst at sea. I got a few things together in a bag and got off the boat, we were to stay with Sue for the complete stopover. Fremantle sailing club had laid on a welcome bbq with the necessary beer, which of course was graciously received, to be honest if was woofed down in desperation, fresh meat and beer essential commodities we had gone without for almost three whole weeks, the pleasures one temporarily gives up for the sport of sailing!! After a couple of beers I was ready to go I wanted to spend the maximum time I could with Daniel. We sat together in the back of Susans car he didn’t want to hold my hand though, he was growing up fast, my boy was becoming a young man, he was now at senior school and rapidly becoming not my little boy any more, I love him so much and am so proud to be there with him.
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