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.