The Motion of the Ocean

Sunday 28/3/10

Position: 036degs 42'91N  142degs 11'25W

Boat Time: 21:40hrs

Having spent more time on the helm this leg, in both light and heavy weather (although the light weather is now only a distant memory!), I've come to notice the different types of waves more. We have three categories: the freindly waves; the inbetweeners; and big bad bullies!

The freindly waves: the ripple - in calm conditions that tell-tale ripple on the water is the only clue that there is wind about. The gentle swell - the background motion that reminds we are still at sea whilst gently rocking us to sleep in our bunks the rollers - variable in size to steady and reliable, these waves will just keep rolling underneath you, no need for foulies!

The inbetweeners: The breakers - building up gradually behind the boat into a peak which starts to collapse in slow motion, the rush of white water gathering speed as it falls, occaisionally washing out the pushpit and the helm but usually just giving us a gentle push in the right direction. The surfers - these steep waves come charging along from behind, lift the boat up and then launch it forwards with its full force. Surfing down the face of these waves is when we achieve our fastest speeds. The tricksters - these benign looking waves just look like your average roller or surfer but a small imperfection on the face of it will cause the boat to rock and roll and veer off course, very frustrating when you've just spent the last 5 minutes bringing the boat onto a perfect heading!

The big bad bullies: The really big beasties - as you fall off the back of the last wave and look behind you, so you see the next one stacking up, its belly swelling outwards and its height reaching 2 or 3 storeys. Convinced that you'll never make it and the boat is going to pitch-pole down the face, you shut your eyes, hold your breath, and somehow you make it over the top. The sidewinders - these fickle waves are the random wanderers that break the pattern of the other sets. Approaching from a completely different angle to the rest of them, they loom over the side of the boat to come crashing down the side deck, sweeping any unsuspecting crew member with it and turning the cockpit into a swimming pool! The Matahorns - generally formed when two waves join together. The peak rises up out the ocean in a fantastic impression of the matahorn before becoming unstable and crashing over the boat, soaking everything in-sight and pouring down the compainion hatch to flood the galley and saloon - nice!

All are diffferent and somehow we manage to adapt to it all! Whether standing or sitting we are consatantly adjusting our posture to cope with the different angles...'we're going this way that way forwards and backwards over the irish sea...' - well almost!

Today we broke the 1000miles to go waypoint! This mental barrier now makes the finish seem like a reality instead of a date in the distant future which keeps getting further and further away. In roughly five days we will be back on dry land and able to enjoy the little luxuries we miss out on at sea, fresh fruit, hot showers, a steady surface to stand on! Also, I will be seeing my parents for the first time since leaving for Cape Town! They have already left and are on their way to meet us. As my time on JLB comes to a close, a real mix of emotions are running through my head. I'm excited to see Mum and Dad and to sleep in a proper bed after so long. I can't wait to wash my hair and blow dry it straight and wear it down. But at the same time I wish I was carrying on to Panama. It's been an epic 4 months on board and I really have had the time of my life! There have been ups and downs, high and lows, but at the end of the day the good times always win! xxx

On our way again!

The Mighty Pacific

Thursday 25/3/10

Position: 037degs 33' 58N  157degs 48' 62W

Boat time: 06:30hrs

After a few days of bobbing around not really going anywhere whilst we assisted California Clipper, we are finally back on our way to San Fran. We are making good progress and speed over the ground. Originally, the delay was thought to have cost us days but now it looks like we'll be getting favourable winds and will be there by the 3rd April. Fingers crossed!

Because California has lost most of her mast and her staysail and storm jib, rigging a jury rig will be very difficult so they will have to motor most of the way in. This means that all the boats nearby have to transfer as much fuel as can be spare across to California to keep her going. Fuel transfers at sea involve siphoning the fuel out of our tanks into jerry cans. Then we go alongside California at a safe distance and they throw a rope across. We then attach the cans to the rope with a fender to help them float and chuck them over the side and then the other boat winches them onboard. It's a slow process which had to be repeated with fresh water and spare batteries etc. as they still have no power to run the water maker or charge the house batteries.

We have now been relieved of our duties as Hull & Humber and Australia are now on scene and we have resumed racing. Hopefully, with the favourable winds, although perhaps a tad stronger than we would like, we will finish 2nd or 3rd at San Fran - Come on Jamiaca! xxx

Lily's Dad says: "Dear followers of Lily's blog, Sally and I are leaving for America very soon now to meet Lily when she arrives in SF. I will continue to post Lily's blog as and when I can get on-line. Her ETA is about 3 Apr at the moment and I will get Lily to post an Easter blog before we set off on our travels in the Western USA. We will be arriving back in Chester off the VT London train at 16:10 on Saturday 17/4. If anybody is around and fancies coming down to the station to see Lily that would be great! Also, on Sunday 18/4 from 2pm, Sally and I plan to have an open-house for any friends and family who want to call in and welcome Lily home - you are all very welcome and Lily is so looking forward to seeing people again. Regards, Alan"

Oh, What a night!...and a day!...and another night...and another day...etc!

Wednesday 24/3/10

Position: 038degs 48' 89N  166degs 00' 07W

Boat time: 06:45hrs

Well! Where to begin! It's been a rough old rollercoaster for a few days. It started a couple of nights ago when our watch was ending. We recorded a drop of 5 millibars on the barometer. (Just so's you know, a drop of 2 or 3 millibars in 3 to 6 hours means bad weather so a drop of 5 millibars in one 3-hour watch spells big trouble). Just as we'd got our foulies off and were preparing for bed the Skipper says 'We might need some help on deck'. Confused, we wriggle back into our foulies wondering why they need help reefing or whatever, until we hear the call to drop the main sail.

Chaos is the only way to describe the deck as we struggled against the strengthening wind to get the main down. As this was happening we noticed the Yankee foresail that was lashed to the foredeck was going over the side, so Connor (No, Dad, not Dennis Connor!) and I were sent forward to re-attach it whilst the rest of the crew carried on the fight with the mainsail. Once it was down and lashed to the boom we settled down for another 24 hours of sailing bare-poled in winds upto 65 knots, roughly 75mph, achieving speeds of around 19 knots when surfing. We sailed through the night with just the storm jib up, trying to make the best progress we could towards to San Fran. During the morning watch, whilst warming up in the saloon, a massive wave broke over the back of the boat and came flooding through the main hatch to leave half a foot of water sloshing round the saloon and galley! Another wave during the night caught us side on and swept the 3 of us in the cockpit across from one side to the other, soaking us and setting of my lifejacket! (they inflate automatically when immersed in water).

Fortunately for us, we were the lucky ones that night and got away lightly with the tough conditions. Uniquely Singapore had 3 incidents of people being swept overboard by waves, including the Skipper and the Helmsman, but luckily all 3 were attached by their lifelines and were pulled back onboard a little shaken but unharmed. The wave that knocked the Skipper and Helm over also managed to buckle the steering wheel and completely wash the coach roof hatch off. Fortunately, there was nobody in the way of it at the time.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, we were called upon to divert to the last known position of the Californian boat as their EPIRB (emergency position indicating radar beacon) was transmitting signals which Falmouth Coastguard and Clipper HQ were recieving. California wasn't responding to any attempts to contact them so us, Uniquely Singapore, Hull and Humber and Spirit of Australia were asked to divert towards them. As we were the nearest vessel at only about 50 miles away we were the first on scene. It took us quite a while to find them as they were still moving at about 6 knots but we were getting regular updates from thier EPIRB. Before we made contact with them, a US Coastguard plane had been scrambled and they had managed to speak with California's Skipper and establish what the sitiation was onboard. They had suffered a 120degree roll with the stay sail and storm jib up, which caused the mast to break above the first spreader when the boat righted itself. All of their electrics and communications are down which is why they couldn't respond to any attempts at contact.

We were also told that there was an injury onboard and they were requesting a medevac. The unlucky crewmember had hit his head on a bulkhead during the role and suffered at 6 inch cut from the hairline to the crown, 1-2 inches wide. He was awake and didn't seem to be suffering any loss of speech etc. but the Skipper wanted to be safe rather than sorry. The CG plane had to leave the scene because of fuel shortage but not before arranging a rendezvous with a tanker in the area bound for LA to take the injured person.

We motored in convoy as fast as we could towards the rendezvous with the tanker to try and get there before dark and made it just in time. The tanker launched its 'man over baord' rib and tried to go along side Cali to pick up the casualty. However, the swell and the still strong winds made it very difficult. In the end, the tanker turned side on to provide shelter from the wind and waves and Cali had to go right up close beside them to get in the flat water and the rib could get along side from there. The injured crew member and also another person suffering from shock were evacuated onto the rib which was then craned back onto the tanker. By this time it was pitch black and most of the operation had been carried out in the dark. It was a nerve racking event watching the little rib trying to get close enough to Cali and the tanker, I was sure that on every roll of the wave the rib was going to be squashed. Thankfully, everybody got back to the tanker safely and everyone on California is much relieved that their fellow crew members will be receiving proper medical treatment.

As soon as the operation was over both Cali and JLB began making full steam through the night towards San Fransico. We're still awaiting instructions from the Clipper race office but it looks like in the morning we will be transferring fuel to them and when Singapore catch us up they will do the same and take over escort duties until H+H and Australia catch up etc. and we will contuinue racing.

Despite the dreadful conditions, stressful events and tough weather, spirits are still high onboard. We're a little disappointed that our arrival will be a little later than hoped for but, overall, we will be relieved to be back racing again soon. xxx

Lily update

Lily's Dad says: "Dear Bloggers. You may be aware of the severe storm that hit the Clipper fleet in the North Pacific during the last few days. Uniquely Singapore was knocked flat and California was rolled and has lost the top section of her mast. Jamaica Lightning Bolt came through relatively unscathed and has gone to the assistance of California. Although we knew Jamaica was alright, I hadn't had any direct word of Lily since last Saturday. Much to our relief, we got a message tonight and all appears to be well on board JLB. I've reproduced Lily's message below and I'm sure a blog will follow shortly. You can catch up with the events of the last few days at: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/

Lily says: "Hi Daddy, just a very quick note to say that we're ok! I'm guessing you've seen the press release by now but we've stopped racing to keep California Clipper company who have lost their mast and all their communications. It was a bit scary for a while as they seemed to just disappear from contact but it was a huge relief when the US coastguard said they'd made contact! As you can imagine the email system is in high demand so I'll send you a proper update when it's a bit quieter. You can tell Mum my cold is almost better but now about 5 other people onboard have it! Speak to you soon. Love you, Lil. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

Let's do the Time Warp again!

A view of the snake pit

Saturday 20/3/10 (I think!)

Position: 041degs 03'12N  174degs 59'25W

Boat time: 02:30hrs

Back to the Future, Groundhog Day, the Time Warp. All different names for crossing the International Date Line! Almost two days ago now, we crossed the line (which is the continuation of the Greenwich Mean Time line) and managed to gain an extra day. Everybody was quite excited about the strange way the time difference works and is corrected and we all had different plans to celebrate the crossing. Little Pete had his Back to the Future impression ready and I had been practising the Time Warp in my bunk! "It's just a step to the left ... and then a jump to the ri-i-i-i-ight! With your hands on your hips etc......" However, when it came to the actual moment of crossing, I did it in true student style - flat on my back, in my bunk, fast alseep, with a comic book line of Zs coming out of my mouth! Apparently, I was woken up to witness the Time Warp but I don't remember! Instead, I went to sleep tomorrow and woke up yesterday!

The last few days have been pretty miserable with persistant rain and and some tricky sail changes. And Groundhog Day was a disaster posistion wise! Our track on the sea-pro chart looks like we've carved a great big lightning bolt into the middle of the Pacific Ocean! Unfortunately, our accidental signature has cost us two places and we have dropped from 2nd to 4th trying to avoid a low pressure system that is promising up to 60 knots of wind. We are finally heading south so, at last, its getting a little warmer! There are lots of germs going round the boat and quite a few of us have fluey-type colds - not helped by the rain! However, despite all this moaning and groaning the mood is still good and we are now even more keen and focused on an early arrival into San Fran! Come on Jamaica! xxx

Bel & Lil's Mother Watch Extrordinaire!

Working the foredeck

Friday 19th March 2010

Position: 041degs 40'43N  178degs 01'79E

Boat time: 12:50hrs

Since leaving Singapore, Mother watch has stopped being a thing to dread. With the exception of the first one on this leg, which was sprung on us by surprise so I had no chance to do the 'pre-mother stugeron ritual', I have not been ill since. Also, a change of mum-partner to Bel has made me 'girl-up' and take it on my feet! (it was decided that girls are better at coping on the boat and just getting on with things rather moaning and moping so the phrase has changed from 'man-up' to 'girl-up'!)

The last 24 hours have been the best Mother watch ever! Bel and I have developed a system in the galley which suits us and we work quickly, normally in a fit of giggles! At 42 she's old enough to be my mother but insists on acting like my big sister! Love it! Mother starts when lunch has been cleared by the previous Mothers and I get straight to work on making fresh bread, a skill learnt from Christine who was my last mother partner. 3 loaves have to be made to feed 'Vulture Squadron' (as my Uncle Barrie would say!) at breakfast. Giving them enough time to rise can be tricky if you need the oven but I've learnt the trick is warm water to kickstart the yeast and a spoonful of milk powder makes a really crusty loaf. Whilst I'm doing the bread, Bel gets the day bags ready, gets anything we need from storage, makes drinks for the on-watch, cleans the heads and cleans our allocated locker. Bel is our cheif victualler so, also today, we sorted out a new storage bag of cereal (with the help of Claudia) and allocated all the snacks and treats for the rest of the leg - I cant wait 'til we cross the date line, we have caramel popcorn then!

It's then time to start making tea. Last night was really simple but with our organisational skills anything is possible! Dried tortellini pasta was on the menu which takes about 20 minutes to heat up (once the water is boiling which takes about an hour) and we spruced it up with some tomato, pine nut and basil pesto and grated cheese all mixed in. This is a meal I am deffo adding to my Uni cookbook! Simple but GORGEOUS! For pudding (we are good Mums and always do pudding) we heated up some marble cake - unfortunately it

was already made - and made some yummy hot custard to go with it. Yum yum yum!

After we've fed both watches and hurried the off watch to get to bed, we clear up and wipe down the galley, put the kettle on and have a few minutes before going to bed. Last night was a special night because I broke into my secret stash of hot choc! Hot choc is like gold dust on the boat so in China I bought myself a little box of 10 sachets which I have saved for special occasions! Bel and I sat in the saloon with our steaming mugs, congratulating each other on another succesul tea time as we listened to the rain pouring down, thanking the stars it wasn't us out there tonight!

Normally, the Mothers are woken at quarter to 7 to start breakfast. But today I was given a lie-in until 10 past as Bel got breaky by herself. Apparently, it's because I've had the 'bad' mother 3 times in a row now. The bad mother is when you go straight from being on watch to being Mother and straight back to being on watch again which means you miss out on sleep. When I got up after my lie-in I discovered by trousers were wet. My mother treat for a full nights sleep is to put my jammy bottoms on, so I just stayed in those all morning. It felt good, however, I discoverd quite a large hole them in quite an obvious place which will need mending before I have another jammy day!

Again, after the watches are done and we've hurried the off watch off to bed, Bel and I take our breakfast at our leisure. Having sorted the cereals out yesterday, breakfast was a full affair this morning! Bel had porridge (her best yet, it has to be said!) followed by a bowl of toasted muesli, mini Shredded wWheat and mini nut Weetabix. I had porridge followed by a small bowl of Coco Pops with hot milk, mini nut Weetabix, and toasted muesli! Yum yum yum!

After breakfast it's then my turn to do some cleaning. So I do the heads and the antibacteria-ing through the boat. The rest of the morning is then spent getting lunch ready and keeping the on-watch supplied with teas and coffees etc. This leg, we have a wide variety of teas on-board, Tetley's, Lady Grey and Chai. My Granny will be pleased to know that I now enjoy Lady Grey and I can even drink it black! I also like the Chai tea with lots of milk in it because it tastes like Christmas! A great winter warmer when your on night watch in the p***sing rain! Lunch was easy, just tuna wraps and soup, so I had plenty of time to do some baking. Warm chocolate-chip cookies are a winner when its freezing on deck!

When the off watch comes down for lunch, Bel and I play a game we call 'Guess the feet'. It's a great game where we stand in the galley and try and geuss who is coming down the hatch by their feet. We're quite good at it now and scored 100%! Lunch is served and again we hurry them off to bed so we can tidy up and hand over as quickly as possible to the next Mothers. There's then time for a quick wash before heading back on deck just as the rain stops and there is a break in the clouds - perfect timing!

We are now over halfway there and its all 'downhill' from here. Our average distance per day atm is 208 miles which gives us an ETA of the 29th March in San Fran! That would be fantastic! We're all looking forward to crossing the International Date Line later today and to doing a bit of time travel and a time warp! With the sun out at last and good conditions, the mood has lifted on-board and we're ready to re-live Thursday all over again! xxx

Eggy bread and OCD!

Necessary repairs to the mainsail

Monday 15/3/10

Position: 038degs 40' 38N  161degs 15' 73E

Boat time: 12:05hrs

As I was woken up this morning for breakfast, I poked my head out of my sleeping bag cocoon, felt the rush of freezing cold, diesel-tainted air and wriggled straight back down inside again! After a few moments of lying there in semi-consciousness, a familiar smell brought me back to life. Surely, it can't be, I thought. But the smell got stronger and stronger and I leapt out of my bunk like I was doing a Usain Bolt impression and legged it to the galley. There on the side, the last piece in the bowl with my name written all over it, basking in a yellow-golden glow, was EGGY BREAD! Yummy!!!! This little miracle cannot be fully appreciated by those at home until they understand the length of the on-going campaign to have eggy bread for breakfast on the boat! It started about half way to China when somebody told Matt and I that was what we were having but it never materialised. Since then, we have been working extra hard to persuade the Mothers that it really is very easy and they can do it! Today, it finally paid off! Matt declared the day a Jamaican national holiday but, unfortunately, we dont get any time off!

After breakfast, it was all layers on and up into the hail on deck. We were quickly put to work by Skip to hoist the Yankee 3 foresail (we had been sailing without a foresail again through the night) and to shake out the 2nd reef in the mainsail. After the evolution (change of sail plan) was done, I realised I was left to tidy the (snake) pit all by myself which really peed me off! I turned round to ask if anyone would help but they all agreed it would be best if they didn't! Apparently, I have developed a bit of an OCD (Lily's Dad says: 'I had to ask! It means Obsessive Compulsive Disorder!?') when it comes to keeping the pit tidy and there is no point anyone else helping because I just re-do it anyway. I hadn't noticed this but to prove it, when I had finished, and without me knowing, they moved one of the halyards (ropes) on to a different elastic (retainer)so it was crossed with another one and timed how long I could last without moving it. I failed miserably and didn't even last 5 minutes! I've been on this boat far too long!

Every scheduled report we get in now shows we're eating miles out of most boats and it looks like we'll be getting some good points through the scoring gate. We're still heading northwards and it's getting colder. Even during the day we've got our full layers on. The sun is still shining, though, and we're screaming along at 14 knots! Real champagne sailing! xxx

Crack open the Champers!

Saturday 13th March 2010

Position: 037degs 00' 83N  152degs 36' 06E

Boat time: 18:30hrs

Today is the 6 month marker since the race start in Hull last September and all the round the worlders, and everyone who was in Hull to see the boat off on Leg 1, can hardly believe how quickly the time has gone or how much further there is still to go!

This morning on watch was fantastic! The sun was out, the foulies (foul weather gear) were off and we were cruising nicely along at a steady 8 knots. A welcome respite after the last few days of tough seas and heavy winds. We've had some damage to our main(sail), a rip about 18 inches long on the luff (the nearest edge of the sail to the mast) by the second reefing point. Charles and and Chris worked all through their morning watch and into the afternoon watch to get it fixed as fast as possible and they've done a fabulous job. Whilst they were working the rest of their watch checked over all the other sails and discovered a couple of small holes in the Yankee 3 (foresail) which were repaired by the Skipper as Chris and Charles worked the main.

We've seen some epic winds over the last few days. The biggest gust I saw on the instruments read 55knots! Luckily, at the time, we were going dead down wind with just our sturdy little stay sail pulling us along. With the surf as well, we reached upto around 17 knots with just the one sail up! Really quite unbelievable! We've seen massive waves - between 6 and 8 metres - but, fortunately, they are relatively gently sloping swells although it doesn't feel like it when you're on the bow helping with an evolution! (sail change)

All was calm when I went to bed at lunchtime and I was gently rocked to sleep - only to be rudely woken up a couple of hours later as the on watch dropped the Yankee 2 (another foresail - different size) and the pole, hoisted the (repaired) Yankee 3 and put a reef in the mainsail. Something tells me the night watch will not be a quiet one!

Thankyou for all your comments and notes of encouragement. Dad keeps forwarding them to me and they're really great to read and keep me going sometimes! Not long 'til I'm home now and I can't wait to see you all and tell you about it first hand! xxx

Spot the crew on the bow

In my next life, I want to be a dolphin

 Qingdao Clipper looking back to Jamaica Lightning Bolt

Tuesday 9th March 2010

Position: 031degs 23' 20N  139degs 11' 40E

Boat time: 12 noon

The other night we had the most fantastic display of dolphins so far. Although it was pitch black and we couldn't see the dolphins themselves, the phosphorescence was out and everywhere they moved they left a bright, sparkling trail behind them like torpedo tracks through the water. There were two of them, as far as we could tell, twisting and turning and jumping and diving under the boat and playing in the bow waves. The most playful pair we've had so far. I was sitting with my feet over the rail to get a better view and they both exploded from under the boat right under my feet! They stayed with us for about 20 minutes and it was fabulous to feel the same freedom they must have. One of the greatest privileges of living at sea.

We had a tough watch that night with lots of evolutions and sail changes to be done. From the wind seeker to the Yankee 2, 2nd reef, Yankee 3, and, with Elaine on mother watch when we put the reef in, it was my job to prep the snake pit and make sure all the lines ran smoothly. With only one error when the main halyard jammer jammed when it wasn't supposed to, I finally feel like I'm getting to grips with the boat and am pulling my weight - it's only taken 3 races! Its funny how the smallest things can make you feel good. When we were tidying the snake pit after the reef and I was putting the stay sail halyard back onto its winch, I amazed myself by being able to open the jammer all by myself! Something that only a few weeks ago, in those conditions, would have been impossible for me.

As we head east towards America (whoop, whoop!), we are passing over one of the deepest ocean trenches in the world. With depths of up to 10,000 metres, we will be sailing over water deeper than Mount Everest is high. The cause of this trench is to do with the tectonic plates and the fact that it is a converging plate boundary. The oceanic plate is being pushed towards the continental plate and vice versa by convection currents under the earth's crust. The oceanic plate is more dense so it is forced underneath the continental plate and, where it is 'sub ducted', the trench forms. The friction between the two plates causes the continental plate to buckle so big fold mountains are formed on that side of the trench and volcanoes, too. Japan is part of the volcanic mountain range that forms this trench and it is all part of the 'Ring of Fire' which surrounds the Pacific Ocean - (Lily's Daddy says...'Dear Bloggers, in case you didn't know it, Lily's into rocks! Here endeth today's Geology lesson!)

Its been a busy few days with the wind doing dances all around us and Skip has kept us on our toes with endless evolutions. The record number of evolutions per watch has climbed to 14. But I think we might have been counting re-running the preventer and putting on the back stay as separate ones so the figures may not be accurate! Despite the rain, the 35-40knots of wind on the nose for the last 72 hours, the weather is much milder than it has been and port watch is definitely in high spirits. Even though this is my last race on-board JLB and I don't want the experience to end, I'm excited to be pointing East at last and getting well on the way to San Francisco! xxx

Beijing to Japan!

Jamaica leading the way from Qingdao

Saturday 6th March 2010

Position: 031degs 10' 20N  130degs 03' 01E

Boat time: 09:00hrs

Hello from Japan! Or, at least, off the coast of Japan. As the sun came up this morning on watch the southern-most tip of Japan became visible behind the lighthouses we'd been watching in the dark. This will be our final encounter with land for 3 to 4 weeks - maybe more - until we see the distant shores of California! The wind through the night has been flukey as anything. We've tacked and gybed (boat manouevres to sail a course), been headed and lifted (effect of the wind on the boat depending on the direction it's coming from) and watched the windex (wind indcicating instrument) work its way through all the points of the compass in no particular order! Trying to keep the boat pointing in the right direction has been a major headache but at least we haven't got the predicted 40 knots I(of wind) on the nose! Skipper is definitely looking forward to getting out into the Pacific proper so that we can catch the more reliable weather systems and he can get some sleep rather than being called up every few minutes because the wind has shifted again! It's also much milder than has been predicted. Everyone is shedding layers and, dare I jinx it by saying, I'm almost disappointed we haven't had any snow! I was looking forward to building a snowman on the foredeck and making a snow angel on the side deck!

Also this morning, we had a couple of rocks to avoid. Charted properly but unlit. As I was on look-out it was my job to be making sure that we weren't heading towards them and checking the chart to see how close we were. With 5 miles to go and our course going straight over the top of them, I told the watch leader (who didn't believe me!) that we needed to alter course. So he goes below to check the charts etc. just as they come into sight looking very, very close in the pre-dawn gloom! We call him up from below and point. His reaction is 'PETE!!!'. Turns out they were pretty big rocks and if we'd looked at the spot height we would have known that. But in the dark they looked less than a mile away. It woke us up anyway for sure!

I had a really fantastic time in China and I was sorry to leave. Everybody was very friendly and welcoming although it got a bit irritating being stared at all the time! It's like they've never seen a European before. It was good to get away from the boat for a few days and go to Beijing. The trains in China are something else. Their normal class is like our First class. Everybody has a numbered seat and only as many tickets as there are seats are sold so nobody is standing up or squashed. You get a free bottle of water when you sit down and theres loads of leg room. We got the Bullet there and back and at some points during the trip we were traveling at 250kmph! (according to the useful little info window at the front of the carriage!). Whilst in Beijing, though only for 2 nights, we did a trip which took us to the Ming tombs, the Jade factory (which is very important in China), the herbal doctors and the Great Wall! We saw the flying acrobats at the theatre and visited Tianamo Square and the Forbidden City. We saw more streeet markets and the boys ate some really funny things: Starfish; Silk Worms; Scorpions; Sea Snakes and Crickets. We ate at a fabulous tiny local restaurant just opposite the hotel. Beijing is definitely a place I'd like to spend more time!

Once back on the boat and the final prep for our departure done (including fixing the blocked head which was a baby wipe! - not amused!) the farewell ceremonies from Qingdao began. They were fab. Dragons and drums and fireworks were all going off as we paraded with our Skipper and our new dress flag from the main stage back to the boat. Each boat slipped its berth to their boat song playing although we went out on our unofficial song 'Every little thing, is gonna be alright!' (Bob Marley) instead of our proper one. But we don't mind, being all laid back and Jamaican-like! As we left the harbour more fireworks went off and then the parade of sail went past the whole of the Qingdao water front. Knowing that it's the last port i'll leave on board Jamaica Lightning Bolt, it was a bit emotional and I wanted to delay the start as long as possible. But I was cheered up when our pennants snapped and I was sent up the mast to rescue them! Another mini-adventure!

Racing has been intense and the postions keep changing. This morning, we can see Qingdao (Clipper, not city) on the horizon. So the fight is on to keep the lead! I'm absolutely determined that this time we are getting a yellow pennant (racw winner) and I'm pretty sure the whole team is with me! On board this leg, we have Connor, who should have been on Cork and who I did some training with. He's a really good laugh and an asset to the boat. And we also have Wade, who should have been on Team Finland but, due to time constraints, has decided to join us instaed of waiting for Finland's new mast to be fitted before she gets underway again. After the usual ropey first couple of days where everybody finds their sea-legs again, we seem to be working well as a team and on track for another good result. COME ON, JAMAICA! xxx

PS. Thanks for all the comments and things. They're great. It feels like I've been away for so long and to read messages from people at home reminds me of where I come from and where I belong and where I'll be back soon. Please keep sending the messages - Dad sends me every one when I'm at sea - and I'm looking forward to seeing you all when I get back.

Picture special!

A few more photos from the China experience for you to view while we get geared up for another epic voyage. Across the Pacific this time - 5,680 nautical miles!

Calm weather sailing

Someone's got to fix the heads. Yum!

Our Mah Hi Mah Hi (or Dolphin fish) followed us when we were becalmed

More calm weather sailing

The team on the finish line - 2nd place!!

Port watch together outside Qingdao

Skipper Pete wearing his gifts and drinking the bubbles

'Ere, there be dragons, there be - Chinese ones!

Dancers at prize giving

Kung Fu fighters demonstrating their skills

Drummers a-drummin'

Me, Su and Skipper Pete with our 2nd place pennant!

Welcome to China

Qingdao International Yacht Club

Sunday 28 February 12.30pm

Dear Bloggers,

One of the first things I've quickly learned about China is that it is a nightmare trying to get on t'internet. If you can get on, you then find that all the sites you want to access like my blog, Facebook etc. are all blocked because of state controls and you can't do anything. So I've had to resort to e-mailing my Dad asking him to set up the blog for me, just like at sea on the boat. Even simple things like putting credit on your mobile phone? - no can do! Dad has had to do it for me in the UK but that's what Dad's are for, isn't it? Thanks Dad, I'll pay you back sometime, lol!

Seriously, though, China is a fab place and the last few days have been manic. After crossing the finish line and having to wait over night before being allowed to enter Qingdao, everybody agreed that the celebrations had better be worth it. We weren't dissappointed! On arrival all immigration was done on the pontoon, including an infra-red thermometer to the forehead which I was slightly worried about (having been delcared too ill to be on watch for the last 24 hours) but I cleared it ok - no quarantine for me! As we walked up the pontoon there were drums playing and the boat song and loads of media were filming and talking photographs. As we went through the gate at the top the crowds were all cheering (the biggest crowd turnout we've had so far!) and a child presented each of us with a bunch of roses and said 'Welcome to Qingdao. These are for you. Follow me' in perfect English and took us by the hand onto the stage. Once we were all up there the speeches began and they took forever as they were said in Chinese and then translated to english and vice versa. We all got given a lucky tiger and a red scarf, and Skipper Pete got a special cloak with his name on and a special tiger hat! The cloak he had to wear again at prize giving, much to his embarrassment! We were then lead off for tea and cakes while the next boat arrived. We were treated like celebrities as we walked down the red carpet and people gave us their kids to have their photos taken with and everybody stares and points at my blonde hair which is as rare a real Jamaican in China! As far as I know there is only one Jamiacan in China and he's the Ambassador!

The Ambassador is a really nice guy and he was at the prize giving ceremony which was held a couple of days later. We met him in the morning on the corporate sail and he was clearly very uncomfotable being on the boat - which was quite amusing in itself - and he couldn't believe how small the space is downstairs! Luckily for him it was too foggy to go sailing! On the evening of the prizegiving there was a banquet held at the Intercontinental Hotel with all the dignitaries and special guests. We then moved to the Olympic Theatre where all the prize giving ceremonies were held for the Olympic sailing events. The ceremony was opened by crazy, long haired, violin-type, thingy players. Then the speeches began again. Between the speeches and each prize giving ceremony, there were acts from dancers, singers, kung fu fighters and, apparently, a very famous Chinese pop star! The whole thing was broadcast live on QTV so there will probably be clips on You Tube! We all had to go onto the stage to collect our pennant - Pete in his cloak - and the Jamaican Ambassador read out a letter he had received from Usain Bolt congratulating us on our 2nd place!

The ceremonies were great and, yet again, we felt like real celebrities! We're all excited for the leaving ceremony as we are promised it will be something spectacular. I've attached a few pictures of our arrival, welcome and prizegiving for you to view.

Since then, a large group of Clipper people (me included) have ventured to Beijing and the Great Wall of China. I hope to be able to write again with some more pics before we leave on Tuesday 2nd March on the race across the Pacific to San Francisco. xxx

PS. Thanks for all your messages and comments. Dad copies them all to me and I can't tell you how much they mean to me especially when I feel a bit low sometimes and think about home.

Learning to use a sextant with Charles and Dave.

Nice weather sailing

Avoiding the waves

Totally becalmed!

More pics to follow soon. xxx