ADVENTURE - TRANSGLOBE LEG 7

Day 0 - On the last day of 2009, 10 crew members for Leg 7 mustered at JSASTC for kit issue and initial vessel familiarisation. Endeavour, the only Challenge yacht remaining in the UK had gone into refit, much to the surprise of the Transglobe organisers so that part of the day was left out. The 2200 flight departed on time, heralding the shortest New Year’s Day anyone had previously experienced, and 3 in-flight breakfasts. The journey was trouble free, with the 10 becoming 13 on arrival in Hobart, meeting up with Skipper Neil, Mate Nikki, and White Watch leader Arty.

Day 1 - After a warm welcome from Neil and Nikki mandatory briefings conducted, massive provisioning planned and executed (and no need to go back a second third, or even fourth time, honestJ), including enlisting the assistance of Tasman Will from a local restaurant, who very kindly allowed us to freeze down large quantities of  produce, thus promising fine cuisine for many days, the crew stepped ashore for a quick meal at the Taste of Tasmania Festival (TOTF) and an early night (some only as early as 0230). All was set fair for the following day’s planned shakedown.

Day 2 - saw an early berth transfer to a fuelling jetty for topping up tanks, and Nikki, like a Koala up a gum tree to give the blog an appropriately geographical feel, hoisted up the mast for rigging inspections, as a precursor to our first sail. After some alongside drills and a sandwich lunch, we set out into Hobart bay for 4 hours of shakedown, including reefing practice and MOB drills by Neil, Nikki and the 3 Watch Leaders, Cathy Red, Arty White and Al Blue. With a stiffening breeze, the Super Maxi LOYAL, fresh from some spectacular speeds during the recent Sydney to Hobart race and sensing some competition, came out under full Storm sails. She ever so slowly caught us up and, after a brief neck and neck moment and even one when we might just have had the edge, as the wind died we slowed but she didn’t! Maybe next time!

Back to Hobart and Neil demonstrated skipperly calmness as he neatly used the elements to park us alongside in a very tight spot. 30 minutes later, with the dinghy up from the depths of the sail locker, inflated and launched, and following some entertaining warping practice, the Med moor was achieved, with CHALLENGER and DISCOVERER providing a most tactful audience. Having the dinghy provided, for two of the most novice crew members (Gemma Blue and Lee Red), the opportunity to gain competent crew ticks for rowing, and for the Electronic Warfare specialists (Clem White and Tab Blue) to also show their skills on the water! That evening was again spent savouring the delights of the TOTF and also saw the arrival of the 14^th crew member, Helen, directly from Sydney. Everyone turned in genuinely early in anticipation of a 1000 departure the next day.

Introducing, and personal messages from, the Leg 7 (mostly from HMS COLLINGWOOD) ADVENTURE crew:

Neil, Skipper – Hi to everyone and I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year. The Oz Christmas was surreal with people in the same Santa outfits we have in the UK but in their 35º heat. Thanks to Steve & Paula and Steve & Nicky for looking after me in my stays in Sydney and Melbourne, it was great to see you.

Nikki, First Mate – Best of luck to the students of Kelly College for the new term, especially to the sports staff and teams and the CCF staff and cadets. Love to all family and friends, but big shout outs to Mum, Peals, Scully, Grut Family, Sis and La’s, TJ,  Dunnage, and Buzz the dog.  Hope Christmas and NY were spectacular, having a ball but miss you all, see you in the spring xx.

RED WATCH

Cathy – To Steve, good sailing yesterday, sorry you’re missing it. Talk to you when we get to the other side.

James – Looking forward to good sailing – best regards to all

Helen – Happy New Year Tom , Jim, Chops and Mum and Dad. Hope you had a fab holiday. Lots of love to Mikey in Afghan with 845 NAS – last few weeks to go exclam. Xxxxxxx.

Lee –

WHITE WATCH

Arty –

Clem – Happy New Year to you all. Just finding my sea legs; it’s been a while! Kids, be good, see you soon.

Stephan –  Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!! Dikke kur voor Renate!

Kris –

BLUE WATCH (is best)

Al – Happy New year to family and friends. Heaps of love to Manu, Sophie and Louis. Thanks for my little piece of luck bubble wrap. For John – move over Blue leader, the Pink Panther’s moving up!

Russ – To Jo, Beamish and ‘bump’ – missing you all, lots of love.

Tab – All well, hope you all had a good new year.

Gemma – Happy New Year. I would say wish you were here but I already know most of your wish that any way. Love to all.