FROM OCEAN ROVER
12-JUL-1997 10:52:12

HELLO ALL AT HQ
WE ARE HAVING A GREAT SAIL AND BATTLE WITH COURTAULDS AND HEATH. WE ARE NOSE TO TAIL WITH COURTAULDS ABOUT A MILE BEHIND AND HEATH FURTHER BACK.

THIS TRIM TRIM TRIM BUSINESS GETS ME UP AND DOWN THE FORE DECK LIKE A NODDING DONKEY ( FOR THOSE WHO DONT KNOW THATS ONE OF THOSE OIL PUMPS YOU SEE IN TEXAS THAT GO UP AN DOWN - HENCE EXAMPLE CLEVER EH !) AND ITS GETTING MY HAIR WET.

WE REALLY HOPE THE WIND STAYS AND WE WILL REALLY BE IN FOR A GRANDSTAND FINISH. I IMAGINE THE YACHTS WILL BE CONVERGING INTO THE CHANNEL TO FUNNEL IN THROUGH THE NEEDLES.

ANNE THANKS FOR THE FAX NUMBER. IF YOU TREAT ME WITH THAT MUCH RESPECT I MIGHT START TAKING MYSELF SERIOUSLY !

JON HIRSH WANTS TO ADD SOME WISDOM. SO ITS GOODBYE FROM ME AND HELLO TO HIM.

LOTS OF LOVE HUMPHREY

One day I'm going to show Humph where the Caps Lock key is, otherwise MaST will have to be changed to MAST and it just wouldn't be the same. As you can imagine we treat him with the utmost respect at all times (well, sometimes, I think, occasionally anyway!). We are all getting quite excited abiut our imminent arrival, continuously recalculating our ETA, especially if we can make it earlier than the previous estimate.

Billy Thornton described the atmosphere as like the last day at school, to which I wopuld add, it's like the very last day of the final year. We will all be going our seperate ways and promising to keep in touch, and I'm certain that most of us onboard Ocean Rover certainly will. The hanklies will have to be wrung out frequently as we pass the Needles and enter our old playground.

In the meantime we've got a serious race on our hands with 6 boats within 8 miles and the pack closing rapidly on the boats ahead. It promises to be a photo finish, hopefully with the Old Dog Rover a nose ahead. I can't wait!!

See you on Wednesday (hopefully) Jon

FROM OCEAN ROVER
11-JUL-1997 04:40:36

HELLO ALL AT HQ

WE ARE HAVING A FANTASTIC SAIL OR PERHAPS SLEIGH RIDE IS A BETTER DESCRIPTION. FLAT OUT WITH WIND ON THE BEAM AND THE YACHT RISING AND FALLING AS WE POWER THROUGH THE BEAM SWELL THAT IS RUNNING.

WE HAVE BORIS AND COURTAULDS ON ONE SIDE AND HEATH BEHIND US. WE CAUGHT BORIS UP FAILY QUICKLY BUT GETTING PAST IS ANOTHER STORY. PERHAPS A TORPEDOE OR SMERSH MIGHT DO THE BUSINESS FOR A FEW CRISP ONES. I SWORE AT HIM IN AFRIKAANS AND HE THREATENED TO COME OVER AND DO MY HEAD IN. UNGENTLEMANLY BEHAVIOUR PERHAPS ?

COMING INTO THE WESTERN APPROACHES OF THE CAHNNEL COULD BE A SPECTACLE AS THERE IS A CLUMP OF BOATS SO CLOSE IT COULD BE A DINGHY RACE. WE ARE TRYING LIKE HELL TO BE AHEAD OF A FEW OF THEM - HONEST MOTHER.

WE NOW HAVE LESS THAN 1000 MILES TO GO TO THE LIZARD AND THEN ITS A SMALL JUNP UP TO THE NEEDLES AND HOME.THE YACHT IS GOING BEAUTIFULLY AND IF THE WIND COMES ROUND WE MAY BE KITING TOMORROW. THIS COULD BRING A CASE OF EXPLOSION CITY AND SOME WORK FOR THE STITCHING TEAM. HOWEVER WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

CREW ARE ALL WELL AND EATING THEIR GREENS EXPECT HUGH FOGERTY WHO PREFERS BREAD AND JAM.

NOTHIUNG MUCH ELSE TO REPORT

LOTS OF LOVE
HUMPHREY
CLERK TO THE NATION.

FROM OCEAN ROVER
10-JUL-1997 07:25:42

HELLO ALL AT HQ

VERY FRUSTRATING THIS OECAN RACING. . NOT A NEW PHRASE BUT WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BE IN FOR A NICE BLOW TO TAKE US HOME TO OCEAN VILLAGE AND ANOTHER EXCELLENT WELCOME AND PARTY FROM BT. ALMOST BECALMED BUT NOW THE WIND HAS PICKED UP AGAIN AND WE ARE GOING BEAUTIFULLY. LETS HOPE IT KEEPS UP.

DOLPHINS EVER PRESENT AND THEY COME CHARGING IN AT NIGHT LIKE TORPEDOES LEAVING A PHOSPHORESCENT WAKE. WE HAD A WHALE YESTERDAY RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE BOAT AND THIS MADE RICHARD BRIGHTON OUR LEGGER SPEECHLESS. HE DOESNT SEE MANY WHALES IN SOLIHUL AND UP TO NOW WHENEVER ANY WILDLIFE APPEARS HE REACHES FOR HIS CAMERA AND THEY DISAPPEAR. STILL BRANWEN ( CODE NAME PUMPKIN FROM THE FAXES ) WILL GET SOME GREAT SHOTS OF ATLANTIC OCEAN. COULD BE A WINNER WITH THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

MALCOLM WALKER OUR OTHER LEGGER HAS BECOME A BREAD EXPERT AND HE HAS JUST BEEN AWARDED HIS MSC SO WE HAD A CAKE OF IRON FILINGS AND WELDING RODS ICED WITH FLUX. BIT OF A TEASER ON THE FILLINGS IN THE TEETH.

WE HAVE THREE BOATS ALL AROUND US WHICH WE THINK ARE NUKE, COURTAULDS AND HEATH BUT PLEASE DONT TELL THEM.

PLEASE THANK CHAY FOR HIS MESSAGE RE JOHN POTTER.

MESSAGE FROM ROBERT BRUCE: IN VIEW OF RULE WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW PRIVATE WEATHER INFO PLEASE BE ADVISED OF THE FOLLOWING: WHILST TALKING TO MY DAUGHTER ON THE RADIO YESTERDAY 9 JULY AT APPROX. 1700Z, SHE COMMENTED WITHOUT SOLICITATION SHE SAW THAT TELETEXT SHOWED OCEAN ROVER TO BE IN 6TH PLACE AND IT APPEARED ALL THE BOATS WERE IN THE SAME POSITION, INFERRING IN THE SAME LIGHT WINDS I HAD TOLD HER IN WHICH WE WERE STRUGGLING.

NOT MUCH ELSE TO REPORT

LOTS OF LOVE HUMPHREY TRIM TRIM TRIM FUNTASTIC FUNTASTIC ( TO BE REPEATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN A SCOTTISH ACCENT )

FROM OCEAN ROVER
8-JUL-1997 12:35:41

HELLO ALL AT HQ

I AM SURE YOU HAVE READ ENOUGH ABOUT SPINNAKERING DOWNHILL OUT OF CONTROL. YEP THATS US AS WELL. WE ARE WALKING ON EGGSHELLS AS WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR FLANKER WHICH IS WORSE THAN A PATCHWORK QUILT GRANNY USED TO MAKE OUT OF SCRAPS OF CLOTH FOR THE WAR EFFORT. WE HAVE 5 BIG PATCHES AND TWO REPAIRS ACCROSS THE HEAD. ONE LOOKS LIKE THE BRITISH RAIL ZIG ZAG EMBLEM AND THE OTHER WE PUT IN SOME 20.000 MILES AGO AND IT HAS HELD EVER SINCE.

SAILING INTO THE SUN SHOWS UP PINPRICKS OF LIGHT FROM EVERY SEAM WHICH SHOWS HOW MUCH PRESSURE THE WHOLE KITE IS UNDER. WE RECKON WE ARE SITTING IN THE RIGHT PLACE IN THE OCEAN BUT IF WE BLOW THIS BABY IT WILL BE LIKE A FORMULA ONE CAR WITHOUT TOP GEAR AND ALL THE HARD WORK WILL BE GONE. A CALL FOR RELIEF HELMSMAN TO DO A SPELL SENDS PEOPLE SCURRYING TO CLEAN THE LOOS. I TRIPPED OVER 8 PEOPLE BUG GUNNING THE PORT ONE AN HOUR AGO WHO TOLD ME TO GET STUFFED WHEN I WANTED TO ENETR THE FACILITY.WE ARE APPLYING TO THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS FOR THE HIGHEST NUMBER IN A LOO AT ANY ONE TIME. NEVER MIND THE SAILING - BELOW DECKS IT SMELLS LIKE 100 ROSES.

WHOEVER MAKES A SILLY BISH ON THIS KITE WILL BE OVERBOARD IN NO TIME ON THE END OF JIM CAPSTICKS KARATE CHOP WHICH IS A REGISTERED LETHAL WEAPON. FROM HERO TO ZERO IN ONE RIP OF THE CANVASS AND 400 FOUR LETTER WORDS.

DR MO FLUSHED A FISH UP THE LOO YESTERDAY AND IT HAS TURNED ITSELF INTO TUNA BAKE FOR TONIGHT.NOT MANY TAKERS ON THIS ONE.

MEANWHILE OVER TO JON "LOVELY BOY" HIRSH OR ORANGEMAN TO HIS MATES WHO WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE RELEVANT SATISTICAL DATA WITH KNOWLEDGEABLE COMMENTARY.
MISSING YOU ALREADY
LOVE G-HMPH

Where does he get all that from? Still at least there is one bit of truth in all that and strangely its the bit about the fish!!
Personally I love helming in these conditions. It's more challenging than drifting along in light airs and after all that's what we're here for. The last 24 hours has seen the whole crew working extremely hard, peeling from one spinnaker to another as the wind changes and gybing frequently to take advantage of wind shifts. We seem to have an uncanny knack of gybing and peeling in an order that leaves the halyards crossed over at the top of the mast. This necessitates our rigger (myself) having to climb up to the top (only pausing for breath momentarily as you can imagine) and climb over the head of the spinnaker itself. The force of the wind becomes very apparent as it is possible to sit on the sail ballooning horizontally out from the top of the mast while taking in a wonderful panorama and a birds eye view of the deck work in action. Fortunately I am assisted greatly in my climb by our two leggers who help pull me up. Richard Brighton is always a willing volunteer because he is so greatful that he is not going aloft himself. Malcolm Walker, at 6 foot 3 inches and 15 and a half stone is pulling me up for obvious reasons!! Unfortunately he is keen to give it a go himself - volunteers please apply in writing...

Spirits are higher than ever and we are thoroughly looking forward to a close finish ahead of 3Com!! One question though, why doe sPaul Stephens (Sharky to his mates) wear his cap on sideways?

All the best
Jon Hirsh (alias Lovely Boy, Orange Man of Zog)

FROM OCEAN ROVER
7-JUL-1997 09:29:53

HELLO ALL AT HQ

OCEAN ROVER IS ALIVE AND KICKING BUT HAVE BEEN BUSY AS BABIES SO MISSED A COUPLE OF REPORTS. SORRY.

WEATHER IS AS GREY AND WET AS OUR TEA, WITH THE ATLANTIC FOG SITTING OVER US MOST OF THE TIME. EVERY NOW AND AGAIN WE GET A SUNNY SPELL WHICH TURNS JON HIRSH ORANGE.

OUR TWO LEGGERS RIHARD BRIGHTON AND MALCOLM WALKER ARE WORKING A LONG 5 DAY WEEK, JUST LIKE AT ROVER. THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN CLOCKING UP A BIT OF OVERTIME ON THE SPINNAKER PEELING. OUR PROMO SPINNAKER WHICH WE SHREDDED A WEEK AGO IS FLYING IN ALL ITS GLORY AND IS STILL IN ONCE PIECE. OUR STITCHING SEEMS TO HAVE DONE THE TRICK AND IT LOOKS LIKE A PANTOMIME DAMES BLOOMERS.SOME OF THE LADS ARE INTERESTED IN THE PRINCIPLE BOY WHO IS ALWAYS A GIRL. I DONT THINK WHAT I AM PUTTING THE TEA IS STRONG ENOUGH.

WE HAVE SEEN ENDLESS WILDLIFE AND HAVE DOLPHINS ALL THE TIME.THEY GET VERY PISSED OFF IF THE BOAT ISNT GOING FAST ENOUGH AND COME AND LOOK WHO IS ON THE HELM.THEY SWIM INCHES FROM THE BOW AND WEAVE TO AND FRO IN A DOLPHIN VERSION OF "CHICKEN".

WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL WALES WHICH CRUISE GENTLY BY. ONE WAS 30YDS OF THE SIDE OF THE BOAT AND BLINKED SEVERAL TIMES AT OUR COLOUR SCHEME. I THINK SHE MAY FANCY THE NEW M.G.F OR PERHAPS IT WAS DISBELIEF AT THE COLOURS

BILLY THORNTONS EYE IS NOW BETTER AND HE IS HELMING LIKIE A DEMON. MORALE IS HIGH AND IT IS STRANGE SEEING ONLY 1600 MILES TO RUN ON THE GPS AFTER SUCH A LONG TRIP. ALSO SEEING THE HEADING IN DOUBLE FIGURES AS OPPOSED TO THREE. SOUNDS DAFT BUT WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN STARING AT WESTERLY HEADINGS ON THE COMPASSS FOR SO LONG IT GIVES YOU A WIERD FEELING THAT THIS IS SOON GOING TO BE ALL OVER.

WE FOUND A BOTTTLE OF WHISKEY IN JIM CAPSTICKS SLEEPING BAG AND POLISHED IT OFF LAST NIGHT. WE HAD THE GIGGLES FOR THE NEXT THREE HOURS. AMAZING WHAT A THIMBLE FULL WILL DO AFTER NO ALCOHOL FOR A WEEK. BUT THEN YOU WOULDNT KNOW WOULD YOU ?

GOT TO GO AND OPEN THE OFFICE SO THAT I CAN FIRE OFF A FEW FAXES.
MISSING YOU ALREADY,
YOURS FAITHFULLY AND OBLIGE
WE REMAIN

YOUR FAITHFUL CREW
HUMPHREY WALTERS
CLERK TO OCEAN ROVER AND OTHER SUNDRY HOODS.

FROM OCEAN ROVER
2-JUL-1997

The weather seems to be conspiring against a quick atlantic crossing as we sit here nearly becalmed. Unfortunately during a spinnaker trimming session, Billy Thornton tried to bend the spinnaker pole with his head. The world's toughest yacht race is no place for wimps and after cursing the sea gods he insisted on finishing his task despite the blood drippoing into his eye. Doctor Mo punished him by using his face as a pin cushion (Billy says she was very gentle wit hhim really). 17 (or so) stitches later, with no anasthetic he was heard complaining that his beautiful features will have been scarred for life, and plucking his eyebrows will never be the same again.

Last night on a glassy sea we had amazing hues of green and purple as the sun set in a misty sky. Fortunately we are so early on in the leg that the calm weather has caught the entire fleet, and we aren't seeing any of the othr yachts sailing away while we wallow. We were entertained by invisible wildlife during the early hours. Obviously undettered by the flapping sails as we rocked from side to side in the swell numerous Wilson's Storm Petrels squeaked all around us like a child's squeezy toy, seemingly mocking us. Without the howling wind and crashing waves we also heard dolphins splashing as they lazily made their way past, only briefly coming to view as they were close by.

The biggest indignity of being becalmed is saved for the poor old helmsman. As the stern of the yacht lifts on the swell it occasionally slaps down and sends spray up into the air which inevitable lands down the helmsman's back, to everyone else's amusement. While all this excitement goes on above decks, Jim and Humph are busy sewing away on the promo still. Humph has taken to wearing a single neoprene glove as his "dandy little office fingers hurt like mad".

Isn't it great to see 3Com in the lead!!

All the best Jon

PS to Chay - the spinnaker pole was OK so no need to touch Paul's bonus this time.

FROM OCEAN ROVER
1-JUL-1997

ONCE AGAIN BACK AT THE KEY BOARD ABOARD THE HIGHLY TUNED RACING YACHT OCEAN ROVER.

IT WAS A FANTASTIC SEND OFF FROM BOSTON AND ONCE WE GOT OUT INTO THE OPEN THE WIND GODS DID US PROUD. THE FLEET HAVE BEEN VERY CLOSE AND REMAIN SO. WE ARE NOW TRUCKING ALONG WITH 5 BOATS IN SIGHT.

WE WERE SENT BEST WISHES FROM PRINCE MICHAEL FROM HIS VIRGIN FLIGHT AND RELAYED VIA NUCLEAR ELECTRIC. WE ARE IN FULL NO ELECTRICITY MODE AND HAD THE RADIO AND ALL UNECESSARY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SWITCHED OFF. THIS IS TO COMSERVE DIESEL AS PAUL BENNETT MADE THE DECISION TO GO ULTRA LIGHT AND NOT TAKE ON MORE THAN A QUARTER OF OUR CAPACITY.ELCTRICITY IS SO EXPENSIVE THESE DAYS.

THUS NO SHOWERS ,NO IDLE CHAT ON RADIO, NO PHONE CALLS SAYING "I MISS YOU EVERY SECOND CUP CAKE, AND HOW'S THE DOG".

THE PRINCE HAD BEEN IN VERY RELAXED MODE WHEN WE HAD DRINKS ON BOARD ORGANISED BY OUR BOOZE MANAGER LYN GUY. HE ALSO SAW US OFF ON RACE MORNING.

THE FOG CAME DOWN LAST NIGHT SO WE HAD TO PUT THE RADAR ON. IT WAS LIKE AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER SCREEN AT HEATHROW WITH BLIPS ALL OVER THE PLACE. OUR OWN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER HUGH FOGERTY STEERED US ROUND 7 BLIPS AND THE FINALE WAS MOTOROLA COMING AT US OUT OF THE FOG BROADSIDE ON THE OTHER JYBE WITH FULL PROMO FLYING. AN EERIE SIGHT SEEING THIS BIG BLUE SPINNAKER 50 YARDS ON OUR BEAM COME OUT OF THE MIST. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY 3 COMM 100 METERS BEHIND CROSSING.

GOOD STUFF THIS RADAR.

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE BLOWN OUR PROMO IN 15 KNOTS OF WIND. IT SEEMS IT IS KNACKERED SO IT IS BACK TO STICHING AND STAPLING FOR ME AND JIM CAPSTICK AND ANYONE STUPID ENOUGH TO COME INTO THE GALLEY.

DAWN IS NOW BREAKING AND WE HAVE 5 BOATS IN SIGHT.ALSO THE WIND IS ABATING SO WE WILL BE PUTTING UP OUR OTHER KNACKERED KITE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

SEE YOU TOMORROW - CAN'T WAIT AND HAVE MISSED YOU TONS.

LOTS OF LOVE

HUMPHREY NEEDLE AND THREAD MANAGER

PS TO ANDREW. DEFINITE STEWARDS ENQUIRY ON HIS HAT AT THE START. CAN THE JURY PUT A PENALTY ON IT PLEASE.

FROM OCEAN ROVER
6-APR-1997

WE HAVE HAD A FANTASTIC 24 HOURS. LUCKILY FOR ONCE THE WEATHER FAXES HAVE DELIVERED THE WEATHER WE NEEDED FOR OUR CUNNING PLAN. WE ARE HOPING THE WIND GODS WILL KEEP SMILING AND TAKE US UP TO THE AGULHAS CURRENT AND SLUICE US ROUND CAPE POINT INTO CAPE TOWN.

THERE IS AN AIR OF "END OF TERM ITIS" ON BOARD OCEAN ROVER ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE CREW DIDNT STAY AT SCHOOL LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

SOME QUOTES :-

PAUL BENNETT "WE HAVE HAD A GREAT 24 HOURS - WE DESERVE A BIT OF LUCK AND WE ARE TAKING IT WITH BOTH HANDS AND THREE SAILS "

JIM CAPSTICK " 11 KNOTS STRAIGHT DOWN THE P.C. AND GAGGING FOR A SHERBET"

ROBERT BRUCE ( EX CHORISTER ) "ALMOST THERE TO QUOTE A FAMOUS SONG BY MATT MONROE"

JIM " PRETTY BOY" LACEY " LOKING FORWARD TO SUN , SAND AND S--"

DR MO "THANK GOD THE END IS IN SIGHT"

MASSIVELY HUGE FOGERTY " HOPE THE FOOD LASTS PARTICULARLY AS THE FRESH BACON HAS GONE"

AND FINALLY RANDALL"RENTALENGTH" JACKSON "FANTASTIC SAILING,FANTASTIC CRFEW,FANTASTIC 24 HOUR RUN,FANTASTIC BOAT- NOW CAN YOU RELEASE PART OF MY ANATOMY FROM THE BOLT CUTTERS PLEASE"

ALL IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND WE ARE KEEPING TRUCKING ALONG.SECRETLY WE ARE ROOTING FOR CONCERT BUT WOULDNT WANT TO DENY MIKE AND GROUP 4'S PROFESSIONALISM - THEY ARE ALSO A NICE CREW. JUST THAT AFTER CONCERTS BAD LUCK IT WOULD BE NICE FOR CHRIS TIBBS, CONCERTS CREW AND THE RACE IF THEY WON A LEG.

SEE YOU TOMORROW
LOTS OF MERRY JAPES AND APPLE PIE BEDS
WALTERS MINOR 159

FROM OCEAN ROVER
5-APR-1997

THE SOUTHERN OCEAN HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON US YET. WE HAVE JUST EMERGED FROM A SMALL FRONT AND WERE BOMBING ALONG AT 10 - 11 KNOTS WITH THE WIND ON OUR BEAM. THERE WAS QUITE A BIG SEA AND IT WAS NICE TO BE SURFING ALONG WITH THE SEA COMING IB FROM THE BEAM FOR A CHANGE.THE WATER WAS FAIRLY BOILING PAST THE BOAT AND THE FEEL OF THIS BEAUTIFUL YACHT AT FULL BELT FINELY BALANCED IS ENOUGH TO SEND YOU SINGING IN YOUR FOULIES.

THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT WITH A BIG SWELL YOU GET THE ODD BOOM BOUNCE AND THE SKIPPER GETS A MILD FIT OF THE VAPOURS WHEN THIS HAPPENS.I DONT BLAME HIM AFTER THE DRAMAS WITH POOR TOM O'CONNOR AND HIS BOOM WHEN WE ARE CLOSE TO A BEER AND CIVILISATION AND PAUL HAS KEPT THE BOAT IN SUCH GOOD NICK.

ALL THE CREW ARE VERY WELL - NO INJURIES - SO IF ANYONE RINGS UP AND ASKS TELL THEM TO GET STUFFED YOU'RE NOT RUNNING A KINDERGARTEN - OR ARE YOU ?. ITS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO LET ANYONE KNOW OF ANY BLISTERS , INGROWING TOENAILS OR BED SORES - SURELY NOT YOUR PROBLEM. SO SYMPATHIES ALL ROUND FROM OCEAN ROVER. WE'RE RIGHT BEHIND YOU.

SEE YOU TOMORROW,

LOTS OF LOVE

HUMPHREY
BED 18
WARD 6
OCEAN ROVER PLAY SCHOOL.

FROM OCEAN ROVER
3-APR-1997

SORRY MISSED YESTERDAY NOTHING MUCH IS HAPPENING. WE ARE WAFTING ALONG IN ABOUT 10 KNOTS OF BREEZE. THE BOAT IS GREAT LIKE THIS AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT HE SEA IS CALM WE CAN HARDLY BELEIVE IT.

WE ARE NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF TARTING UP THE BOAT AND OCEAN ROVER LOOKS IN GOOD NICK.

WE HAVE ORDERED ANOTHER SHAVATHON PARTICULALRY AS BEARDS ON MESSRS HIRSH ( LOVELY BOY ) THORNTON, CAPSTICK, KENNEDY AND FOGERTY ARE QUITE DISGRACEFUL. RANDALL" MOSES" JACKSON IS KEEPING HIS BECAUSE HE APPARENTLY HAS 5O QUID ON IT THAT HE DOESNT DARE TURN UP TO WORK WITH A BEARD. PROBLEM IS ITS VERY WISPY AND NOT AT ALL RUFTY TUFTTY. HOPE HIS WIFE JACK (I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BLOKES NAME ) WILL LIKE IT - WE DONT.

NOTHING MUCH ELSE TO REPORT.

LOTS OF LOVE

HGUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
1-APR-1997

HELLO ADRIAN AND ALL AT HQ

WE HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS ISNT OUR LEG. WE HAVE HAD SMALL BITS OF BAD LUCK WHICH HAVE COST US DEAR. LAST NIGHT WE PUT UP OUR BULLET PROOF FLANKER TO TRY AND GET SOME MILES BACK. AFTER A LOT OF HARD WORK WE ENDED UP BLOWING IT BIG TIME. THERE IS NO SADDER SIGHT THAN SEEING THE HEAD OF A FAITHFUL SPINNAKER BLOWING 80 FT IN THE AIR ON THE END OF THE TAPES. SO ITS BACK TO THE SWEAT SHOP AND STITCHERAMA.QUEL DOMAGE.

THE WEATHER LOOKS PRETTY GOOD TO CAPE TOWN AND WE PRAY THE HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM THAT WE SEE ON THE WEATHER FAX WILL HAVE ENOUGH WIND IN IT.CERATINLY THE SEA IS THE MOST AMENABLE WE HAVE SEEN IT SINCE SYDNEY HARBOUR AND THAT SEEMS A LIGHT YEAR AGO.

THE CREW HAVE BEEN SHOWING ENORMOUS INITIATIVE AND HAVE BEEN FED UP WITH A NUMBER OF FACILITIES ON OCEAN ROVER. WE HAVE GIMBALLED THE OVEN BY REMOVING THE CUPBOARDS EITHER SIDE. THIS HAS ENABLED OUR SCONES TO BE MORE LEVEL. WE HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT BY REMOUNTING THE SSB ARIEL ON TO THE THIRD SPREADER WE CAN GET WEATHER FAXES THAT ARENT JUST SNOW ON THE SCREEN. TONY HOLLINGSWORH OUR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER FIXED IT IN A TRICE ALTHOUGH HE DOESNT LIKE HEIGHTS AND NOW HAS BROWN MUSTO'S.

I WAS DISAPPPOINTED IN MY PORT TWO MAN AND HAVE INCORPORATED THE BATHROOM EN-SUITE ON THE SUGGESTION OF PRINCE MICHAEL. IT IS NOW A BETTER CLASS OF BERTH FOR ROBERT BRUCE AND I.

ALL IN ALL THIS MEANS THAT WE HAVE THROWN OUT A LOT OF THE CRAPPY , CHEAP AND NASTY, FAKE TEAK AND LOUSY PLASTIC COVERED PARTITIONING, AND THE WHOLE SHIP LOOKS MUCH MORE LUXURIOUS. WE HAVE YET TO WORK ON THE COCKPIT SECTION BUT IT SHOULD BE LOOKING GOOD BY CAPE TOWN.

GOT TO GO AND WAKE PAUL BENNETT AND SHOW HIM PROUDLY OUR HANDIWORK. HE LIKES INITIATIVE.

SEE YOU AROUND
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
31-MAR-1997

ANOTHER BLOW CAME UPON US LAST NIGHT BUT WE WERE READY AND IT WAS ONLY A WOOSSIE 35 KNOTS. WE WERE BOMBING ALONG AT A STEADY 9 KNOTS BUT FOUND WE HAD 4 KNOTS OF CURRENT AGAINST US FOR 8 HOURS. NOTHING ON THE CHART- NOTHING IN THE PILOT BOOK , BUT A REAL NIGHTMARE FOR US. IT SEEMED TO BE VERY LOCALISED AND ONCE AGAIN COST US DEAR.

AGAIN WE ARE PI**ED OFF TALKING ABOUT SAILING SO THE FRENCH CONTINUES. WE ARE NOW ON TRANSLATION E.G."AU REVOIR MONSIEUR POMME FRITES" = " GOODBYE MR cHIPS". THE LADS HAVE SOME WAY TO GO YET.

THE WEATHER SEEMS TO BE A BIT MORE SETTLED AND WE ARE INTERESTED IN REELING OFF THE MILES. LYN GUY RECKONS THIS HAS BEEN VERY HARD AND LONG BUT IS PERKY AS EVER.

THE SEA IS JUST AS ANGRY AND VERY SHORT AND STEEP. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS SNARLING AT US READY TO POUNCE WHEN A BIT OF A BLOW COMES. HOWEEVR THE TEMP IS WARMING UP ALL THE TIME AND THAT FEELS GOOD.

BIT OF A STEWARDS ENQUIRY AT BREAKFAST AS WE HAD TO HAVE OUR WHEETIES WITH MILK MADE FROM A TOUCH OF SEA WATER.IT TASTED A BIT SOUR BUT WHAT THE HECK ARENT WE SUPPOSED TO BNE RUFTY TUFTY. ONLY RANDALL " PUSSY FOOT" JACKSON COMPLAINED AND AS HE IS 7'2" HE GOT SOME FRESH- BIG PONCE.

NOTHING MUCH ELSE TO REPORT

ZUT ALORTS JE COMMENCE ENCORE UNE FOIE DE HELMING COMME UN RADCING SCHLANGE.
HUMPHREY+

FROM OCEAN ROVER
30-MAR-1997

WE HAVE GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE ARE IN FINE WARM CONDITIONS THE BAD NEWS IS THAT WE WERE BECALMED FOR ALMOST 8 HOURS LAST NIGHT. THIS LATTER EVENT HAS PROVED DISASTROUS FOR US IN TERMS OF LOST MILEAGE. OCEAN RACING IS A CRUEL SPORT ( WHO SAID SPORT ?). WE HAVE BEEN BATTLING STORM AFTER STORM AND SAILING OUR SOCKS OFF THEN IN ONE NIGHT WE LOSE 25% OF OUR MILEAGE AGAINST OTHERS.
WE WERE AT ONE POINT DOING 720 DEGREE TURNS WITHOUT PROTEST ( THEY ARE ALL INVALID ANYWAY AS THEY ARENT IN WRITING WITHIN AN HOUR ) TO TRY AND KEEP THE BOAT GOING. JON HIRSH COMPLAINED " WE SEEMED TO BE DOING RETRORACING AS WE WERE DOING .8 KNOT BACKWARDS AT ONE POINT. SLOWLY WE GOT THIS FINELY TUNED RACING MACHINE GOING BUT IT WAS INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING "

JIM CAPSTICK SUMMED IT UP WHEN HANDING OVER THE HELM " hERE IT IS . GOOD LUCK. I'M OFF FOR A PINT AND A FAG. GOODNIGHT"

WE'VE DECIDED ITS TOO DEPRESSING TALKING ABOUT SAILING SO WE ARE SEPAKING FRENCH ZUT ALORS.WE'VE GOT TO PAGE TO "HOW TO CHAT UP LA CRUMPETTE DANS CINQ LESCON" THE PROBLEM IS ZAT LES LADS DONT REALISE WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO LA BELLE AFRIQUE AND THEY NEED AFRIKAANS , ZULU OR TSUTU. AH WELL THEY HAVE A PERFECT EXCUSE FOR FAILING MISERABLY- COMME D'HABITUDE.

MERDE !
JE T'ADORE
BONJOUR ET UP VOTRE PIPE
L'HOMFOIRE

FROM OCEAN ROVER
29-MAR-1997

THE DANGER OF TALKING ABOUT SUNSHINE IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN IS THAT SHE OVERHEARS.NO SOONER HAD WE RELAXED SLIGHTLY THEN THE NEXT LOW CAME UPON US. WE HAD A VERY GOOD WEATHER FAX SHOWING THIS ALMIGHTY COLLECTION OF ISOBARS AND SOMEHOW WHEN YOU ARE PEACEFUL IN CALMISH WATERS YOU DONT BELIEVE IT AND KNOW IT IS GOIGN TO DISSIPATE.

WELL IT DIDNT. ITS THE OLD AERONAUTICAL RULE OF " FOR GOODNESS SAKE BELIEVE YOUR INSTRUMENTS".

THE BAROMETER PLUMMETED AS USUAL AND THE THE FULL FORCE OF THE GALE HIT US. WE HAD 58 KNOTS FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY AND ONCE AGAIN THE SEA STATE WAS HORRENDOUS. IT COMES AT YOU FROM ALL DIRECTIONS AND NO SOONER HAVE YOU COPED WITH THE FRONTAL ATTACK THEN A MASSIVE WAVE COMES AT YOU FROM THE FLANK.IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE AN ANSWER AND WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO GET KNOCKED FLAT AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES. PAUL BENNETT DID A MARATHON STINT ON THE WHEEL AND WE HAVE AVOIDED ANY OF THE DISASTERS THAT HAVE HIT SOME OF OUR FRIENDS IN THE FLEET.

PAUL CLIFTON DESCRIBED THE EXPERIENCE AS " RELENTLESS AND NEVER ENDING , SOMETHING IT IS HARD TO VISUALISE OR PREPARE YOURSELF FOR " HE IS OVERCOMING HIS SEA SICKNESS SLOWLY AND HE IS GETTING BETTER THOUGH HE MAY NOT AGREE.

ROBERT BRUCE FELT " AT TIMES I DIDNT BELIEVEE THIS HOWLING WIND WOULD STOP. WE HAD SMALL ABATEMENTS BUT THEN IT CAME BACK STRONGER WITHOUT WARNING - REALLY HORRENDOUS"

THE WORST DAMAGE WE HAD WAS WHEN THE WIND STARTED TO EASE. POOR HUGH FOGERTY WAS WASHED DOWN THE DECK AND HAS A BAD CRACK ON HIS ELBOW. HE IS IN A SLING AT THE MOMENT BUT AS CHEARFUL AS EVER. A FEW MORE FEET AND HE WOULD HAVE LANDED ON ME - 6'2" OF ANGRY GRISSLE - BUT SOFTER THAN A DORADE. DAVE KENNEDY HIT A WINCH IN THE CHEST AND IS ALSO OFF GAMES.

THE MAINSAIL TOP CAR CAME OUT OF THE SLIDE AND WE GOT THE SAIL DOWN JUST IN TIME. IT IS NOW FIXED BUT WE WERE A NIGHT WITHOUT IT AND FLEW THE TRISAIL. HENCE OUR LOSS OF MILE AGE.

DARE I SAY IT WE ARE NOW IN GREAT SHAPE BUT I AM NOT TELLING YOU ABOUT THE WEATHER. THE BASTARD WILL BITE US AGAIN.

SEE YOU SOON
HUMPHREY. ".

FROM OCEAN ROVER
27-MAR-1997

ITS WARM! ITS WARM! AND SUNSHINE IS COMING! .WE CANT BELIEVE IT BILLY THRORNTON IS EUPHORIC " WE HAVE LEFT HELL BEHIND IN THE FURIOUS FIFTIES AND WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO HEAVEN IN CAPE TOWN FOR FRIENDSHIP CAMARADERIE AND OTHER PURSUITS. I WOULDNT HAVE MISSED IT BUT I AM GLAD WE ARE ON THE WAY TO SANITY "

WE HAD A FURIOUS NIGHT IN FANTASTIC WINDS. REALLY SAILING ON THE EDGE AND SLIPPED PAST THE KERGUELEN WAYPOINT AT APPROX 7 AM OUR TIME THIS MORNING.

WE LOST A BIT OF TIME AS WE WERE ANXIOUS TO CHECK THE STEERING AND THE RIG BEFORE IT GOT DARK LAST NIGHT AS WE WERE EXPECTING A BLOW OF 50 KNOTS FORECAST. WE HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO GET WEATHER FAXES AND SO WE TOOK THE PRECAUTION . HOWEEVR THE BOAT IS GREAT AND THE STEERING FEELS LIKE A MCLAREN F1.

JON HIRSH IS ALSO FULL OF BEANS BUT SAYS HE FEELS JADED. HE NEEDS MOTHER' S LOVE AND SOME CARBOHYDRATE TO PUT SOME LEAD IN HIS PENCIL JON QUOTE " EVEN THE WILDLIFE ARE NOW WITH US CIRCLING THE BOAT, SOMETHING WE HAVE MISSED FOR SOME TIME, AND IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE" PRIVATE MESSAGE TO E. PLEASE CAN YOU PUT SOME VOWELS IN YOUR FAXES TO JON SO WE CAN READ THEM AND UNDERSTAND THE JUICY BITS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED BEFORE.

ALL IN AALL WE RAE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE AND SETTLING DOWN TO A BIT OF RESPITE.EVEN THE CHAT SHOW WAS UP BEAT AND THANK GOD IT HAS BEEN ELEVATED FROM TALKING ABOUT COOKING SCONES AND CHILLI CON CARNE TEE HEE SOOPER DOOPER GIIGLE GIGGLE. LETS GET SOME BODY INTO IT FOR A CHANGE.

LOST OF LOVE
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
25-MAR-1997

WE HAD A GREAT NIGHT., NICE BREEZE CALM WEATHER AND A FULL MOON WHICH GAVE US CLOSE TO DAYLIGHT. HOWEVER WE ARE SO WARY OF THE SPEED OF CHANGE IN THIS OCEAN WE BECAME ALMOST PARANOID ABOUT THE BAROMETER AND WINDSPEED. WE NOW HAVE THE CUYSTOMARY BLOW AND ARE IN A VERY CONFUSED SEA WITH 35 - 40 KNOTS BLOWING.

THE KERGUELEN ISLANDS ARE ONLY 200 MILES AWAY AND ONCE ROUND THESE I SUSPECT WE WILL BE VERY BULLISH FOR THE DOWNHILL RUN.

THE ONLY SIGN OF LIFE WE SEE IS THE ODD STRANDS OF KELP. EVEN THESE LOOK KNACKERED. HOWEVR THE TEMPERATURE IS WARMING UP WHICH HELPS.

ALL OUR SAILS ARE REPAIRED AND INTACT AND THE BOAT IS IN GOOD SHAPE WHEN BILLY REMEMBERS TO PUMP THE DAY TANK FULL OF DIESEL. HOWEVER THATS ANOTHER STORY.

NOT MUCH OTHER NEWS

SEE YOOU SOON
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
24-MAR-1997

WE HAVE VOLUNTEERED OUR SERVICES FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE AS HEATH INSURED 2'S COMMUNICATION CHANNEL TO U AS BOTH HIS COMPUTERS ARE DOWN AT THE MO.

HEATH TOOK A KNOCK DOWN AT 2130 GMT 23/3 , ALL CREW OK, SSB AERIAL BROKEN AND TEMP REPAIR SEEMS TO BE WORKING ATT. MAINSAIL DAMAGED BELOW LOWER BATTEN AND REMOVED AT THE MO FOR REPAIR BOTH COMPUTERS ARE DOWN AND THEY ARE BEING DRYED AT THE MOMENT.

WE ARE ONLY TOO PLEASED TO ASSIST ADRIAN AND HIS TEAM SO IF YOU CAN SEND ANY MESSAGES FOR HEATH TO US VIA SATELLITE AND WE WILL COMMUNICATE THEM VIA VOICE UNTIL ALL COMMS OK

KIND REGARDS PAUL B

FROM OCEAN ROVER
24-MAR-1997

ANOTHER BATTERING LAST NIGHT WITH VERY STEEP SEAS. LUCKILY FOR US WE HAD THE SEA ON OUR BEAM WHICH MEANT LESS HEAD BANGING BUT MORE CHANCE OF BEING KNOCKED FLAT. WE AVOIDED THIS TWICE BUT ENDED UP ALMOST SUBMERGED . LUCKILY WE HAVE GOGGLES ALL WE NEED IS THE SNORKEL AND WE COULD HAVE A COMPLETE PANTOMIME.

ROBERT BRUCE RECKONS "THIS IS NO THOMAS COOKE'S HOLIDAY AND PARTICULALRY AS MY BUNK IS WET THROUGH". HOWEVER HE HAS KEPT HIS SPIDER AND TEDDY BEAR MASCOTS DRY FOR FEAR THEY JUMP SHIP.

WE HAD A MOONLIGHT NIGHT WHICH WAS SOMEWHAT BIZARRE. IT SEEMED TRANQUILITY IN THE SKY AND PANDEMONIUM ON THE OCEAN. I THINK I SHOULD BE IN THE SKY WHERE I AM MORE AT HOME.

THE STORM BLEW UP WITHIN 45 MINUTES AND ONCE AGAIN WE MANAGED TO CONTROL THE SAIL CHANGES IN TIME - BUT ONLY JUST.IT IS INCREDIBLE HOW THESE STORMS COME AND BITE YOU WITH A FEROCITY THAT LEAVES YOU DUMSTRUCK.

WE CAME THROUGH HE NIGHT - WORRIED ABOUT THE RIG, CONCERNED ABOUT OUR FELLOW CREW MEMBERS BUT WITH GREAT BOAT SPEED AND LITTLE DAMAGE. ONCE AGAIN WELL DONE TO THE CREW AND THE BOAT. OCEAN ROVER SEEMS TO BE LOOKING AFTER US AND I EXPECT A FEW PRAYERS. THERE ARE FEW ATHEISTS AT THE MOMENT IN THE CHALLENGE FLEET I SUSPECT.

TODAY WE HAVE CALM AND SUNSHINE. WE HAVE ONLY HAD 6 HOURS OF SUN IN THE LAST 12 DAYS ACCORDING TO LYN GUY'S DIARY SO IT OS MOST WELCOME. TONY HOLLIMNGSWORTH SAYS "IT NICE TO SEE THE SUN AFTER SO LONG BUT A PITY THERE IS NO WIND TO MAKE THE CHALLENGE GO ON. LONGING FOR A GOOD SHOWER AND A STEAK IN CAPE TOWN".

THATS ABOUT IT UNTIL THE NEXT BLOW

REGARDS
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
23-MAR-1997

WE ARE ENJOYING A CLAM PERIOD WITH WINDS FROM THE EAST OR THEREABOUTS. WE WERE REALLY SAILING ON THE EDGE THIS MORNING IN 38 KNOTS WITH OUR NUMBER 1 STAYSAIL AND FULL MAIN. IT IS AN INTERESTING FEELING BELOW WITH THIS WIND SPEED AND 11 KNOTS ON THE CLOCK. ONE IS AWARE OF THE GRAVITATIONAL FORCES WHEN THEY CHANGE AND ONE IS HOPING THAT THE DREADED BROACH DOESNT HAPPEN.

WE WERE IN WHAT WE CALL "ROCK AND ROLL ALLEY" SEVERAL TIMES AND THIS IS SIMILAR TO TRYING TO CORRECT A CAR IN A SKID. IT CAN RESULT IN A WHOLE SERIES OF SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENTS. THE MORE THAT TAKE PLACE THE MORE LIKELYHOOD OF A BROACH. THE SECRET IS NOT TO PANIC AND CATCH IT EARLY WITH A SMALL CORRECTION RATHER THAN ARMFULS OF OPPOSITE LOCK. WELL DONE HUGH FOGERTY ADN TONY HOLLINGSWORTH WHO KEPT US SAFE.

DAVID KENNEDY QUOTE :- " AT LAST WE ARE CRACKING NORTH AT GOOD SPEED AND ENABLING US TO GET AWAY FROM THESE GRIM DESOLATE LATITUDES.I THINK I CAN ECHO MOST OF THE CREWS FEELINGS HERE ON OCEAN ROVER AS WELL AS OTHER BOATS AND UNLIKE GENERAL MACARTHUR - WE WILL NEVER RETURN !" - END QUOTE

HAVING SAID THIS MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES ARE SOMETIMES NEVER EASY AND WHATS THE POINT OF DOING SOMETHING EASY AND MEDIOCRE. I SUSPECT WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THIS LEG THAN THE OTHERS. Q.E.D.

WE ARE DESPERATELY SORRY FOR TOM O'CONNER ON PAUSE BUT HE SOUNDED A BIT CHIRPIER JUST NOW. NATURALLY WE ON OCEAN ROVER ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF SAFETY AND ALSO ABOUT LOOKING AFTER THE BOAT. WE HAVE TAKEN PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES NOT ONLY PLANNING AHEAD WITH OUR SAIL PLAN TO BE READY FOR THER WEATHER WHICH IS COMING BUT ALSO WITH THE EQUIPMENT. WE HAVE REINFORCED THE MAST WITH SPINNAKER HALYARDS SO HAVE DONE ALL WE CAN .

600 TO THE KERGUELEN ISLAND WHICH WILL BE A GREAT TURNING POINT FOR US.
SPEAK TO YOU SOON
LOTS OF LOVE
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
22-MAR-1997

I AM SURE YOU HAVE HAD ENOUGH MATERIAL ABOUT THE CONDITIONS. HOWEVER IT IS INTERESTING HOW DIFFERENT THE SHAPE OF THE SEA IS IN THE SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN. GONE ARE THE BIG SWELLS WITH WIDE VALLEYS THAT WE ENJOYED IN THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC. HERE IT IS VERY POPPLY AND CYNICAL. EVEN IN THE LULLS THERE IS A VERY STEEP SEA RUNNING. MAYBE I AM THE JONAH AS I WAS BORN IN INDIA AND THIS IS CLEARLY GANDHI'S REVENGE. I THOUGHT THAT ONLY HIT THE STOMACH AFTER A VINDALOO AND 8 PINTS.

NEVERTHELESS POOR PAUL CLIFTON IS REALLY SUFFERING FROM SEA SICKNESS.HE HAS NEVER REALLY GOT OVER IT AND AS SOON AS IT GETS ROUGH HE GOES DOWN. HOWEVER HE IS A BRAVE LAD AND NEVER SAYS A WORD OR COMPLAINS. WE TAKE OUR HAT OFF TO HIM AND HOPE THE WEATHER GETS BETTER FOR HIS SAKE.I THINK HE IS DREAMING OF SITTING UNDER A TREE IN CAPE TOWN.

MORALE ON BOARD IS VERY GOOD LARGELY DUE TO ALL THE SYTEMS WORKING WELL. BILLY THRONTON AND PAUL ONCE AGAIN WORK MIRACLES WITH THE GENERATOR AND HAVE TRACED THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM- WHICH AUTOMATICALLY CUTS OUT THE ENGINE- TO A WATER LEAK IN THE FRESH WATER SYSTEM. THEY KEEP TOPPING IT UP AND IT RUNS SWEET AS A NUT. ALSO THE HEATERS UNDER RANDALL JACKSON KEEP THE INSIDE VERY CIVILISED.

ON DECK WITH THE SPRAY AND OUR SPRAY FACE MASKS ITS LIKE LIVING LIFE LOOKING THROUGH A LETTER BOX.OUR COP JIM CAPSTICK HAS ISSUED SEVERAL WARNINGS OF INDECENT BEHAVIOUR BUT WE DONT TAKE TOO MUCH NOTICE. WE GENERALLY FIND THE FOULIE GEAR VERY GOOD AND WITH PAULS POLICY OF LOOKING AFTER THE FOREDECK CREW IN SAIL CHANGES AND NOT BURYING THEM UNDER WATER OR CAUSING INJURIES WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. LOTS OF BRUISES AND SPRAINS BUT NOTHING SERIOUS.DR MO IS ALWAYS ON THE INJURIES EARLY TO HELP US.

WE ARE THINKING VERY POSITIVE KEEPING THE BOAT TOGETHER AND LOOKING AFTER EACH OTHER.

LOTS OF LOVE
SAHIB HUMPHREY GURUM PEACHY WALLAH
POONA SOUTHERN INDIA ( UNFORTUNATELY OCEAN )

PS DEFINITION OF POSITIVE THINKING
"SOMEONE WHO PUTS ICING ON DOG FOOD AND CALLS IT CAKE" WE ARE EATING
THE DOG FOOD AND HAVE NO ICING- SHUCKS

FROM OCEAN ROVER
20-MAR-1997

WE ARE NOW ENJOYING A LULL AFTER THE WORST AND MOST WORRYING STORM WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH. HUGH FOGERTY DESCRIBES IT AS A WELCOME RESPITE AFTER THREE DAYS OF HORRIFIC STORMS.

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A LULL WE STILL HAVE VERY BIG STEEP SWELLS. ALMOST AS IF THE WORLD HAS GONE INTO SLOW MOTION.WE HAVE BEGUN TO HATE THIS PART OF THE OCEAN. WHILST WE ADMIRED THE MAJESTY OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN BEFORE NEW ZEALAND THIS PART SEEMS TO HAVE A MENACING STREAK AND THE STEEP SWELL ARE CURLING AT US WITH A SNARL ON THEIR FACES. IT ALMOST AS THOUGH WE ARE BEING TOLD. YOU MIGHT THINK THIS IS A LULL BUT I AM READY AND WAITING TO POUNCE ONCE THIS LULL IS PASSED. IT WOULDNT TAKE MUCH OF A BLOW TO PILE ON THE SEA AND THE AGONY AGAIN.EVEN THE ALBATROSS HAVE DESERTED US. THEY MUST KNOW SOMETHING WE DONT.

THE SEAS HAVE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SHAPE AND IT IS THE STEEPENSS AND HEIGHT OF THE WAVES AND THE NARROW TROUGHS WHICH SEEM TO BE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE AND CAUSE US SO MUCH GRIEF ON THE HELM.

OUR WORST NIGHT WAS LAST NIGHT WHEN WE EXPERIENCED GUSTS OF 68 KNOTS CONSISTENTLY. NOONE GOT ANY SLEEP AND ALTHOUGH WE HAD MINIMUM SAILS EVERYONE WAS VERY QUIET, GLUED TO THE WIND INSTRUMENT, WONDERING IF SOMETHING WAS GOING TO BREAK. PAUL BENNETT DEEMED IT TOO DANGEROUS TO PUT PEOPLE ON THE FOREDECK SO WE HUNG ON. ALL WORKED VERY WELL AND WE ARE UNSCATHED. GOOD OLD PETER AND TREVOR ALTHOUGH IT WAS OF COURSE PETER IN SYDNEY WITH HIS MAGIC RIG TUNER. WE WILL GET HIM A PINT - SORRY FEW PINTS - WHEN WE SEE HIM.

DR MO SAYS THAT THE MINOR INJURIES ARE PILING UP AND IT IS KEEPING HER BUSY. LYN GUY SAYS THE SHOWER WAS BLISS AND JIM CAPSTICK HAS BEEN SINGING " I SHALL NEVER RETURN NO NAY NEVER NO MORE".

PAUL BENNETT HAS BEEN CHECKING THE BOAT AND ALL IS FINE, EVEN THE ROVER DECALS, SO MARIUS CAN BREATH A SIGH OF RELIEF.

WE ARE NOW WAFTING ALONG BUT WE DONT TRUST THE SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN AND WE HAVE A FEELING THAT MORE IS ON THE WAY. WE DEFINITELY WILL BE DRINKING CAPE TOWN DRY. HANG ON TO YOUR DAUGHTERS.

GIVE US SOME GOOD NEWS -PLEASE. I PROMISE TO EAT ALL MY SOYA MINCE.

LOTS OF LOVE
HUMPHREY.

FROM OCEAN ROVER
19-MAR-1997

WE HAVE HAD A PRETTY HORRENDOUS COUPLE OF DAYS. FAIRLY VISCIOUS STORMS ASND SHORT ROUGH SEAS.WE HAD A BAD NIGHT LAST NIGHT AT THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM. 55 KNOTS OF WIND AND ONE OF TH3E SLIDES ON THE MAINSAIL BROKE WHEN WE WERE PUTTING IN 3RD REEF. PAUL BENNETT , HUGH FOGERTY ADN BILLY THORNTON WORKED MIRACLES IN HORRENDOUS WEATHER AND FIXED IT. OFF WE WENT UNDER THREE REEFS AND ALL WAS WELL. UNFORTUNATELY ANOTHER STORM HAS HIT US TODAY AND ALMOST THE SAME PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. THIS MEANS WE HAVE NO MAINSAIL AT THE MOMENT BUT ARE TROGGING ALONG AND TRYING TO FIX IT YET AGAIN.

THE BAROMETER DROPPED 7 MB IN AN HOUR. I RECKON IF THIS HAPPENED IN UK IT WOULD IMPLODE .

WE HOPE WE ARE DUE FOR A LULL AFTER THIS STORM SO WE CAN GET ROUND THE KERGUELENS AND ON THE RUN INTO C TOWN. IT WILL BE A BIG PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST FOR EVERYONE WHEN WE GET PAST THIS LANDMARK.

OTHERWISE ITS BACON AND BEANS AS USUAL FOLLOWED BY A MARS BAR. NOW I DONT GET THAT AT HOME.

BEST WISHES
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
17-MAR-1997

SPOTTED LARGE ICEBERG 1.5 MILES OUR PORT SIDE AT 52 30 SOUTH 110 49 EAST WITH LOTS OF GROWLERS TO THE SOUTH EAST OF THE BIG BERG. PLEASE PASS ON TO ALL YACHTS KIND REGARDS P.B.

P.S.QUESTION FOR ADRIAN. WHAT DO YOU CALL THE VICTORIAN TOY WHICH SHOWS THE RELATIVE ORBITS OF SUN, MOON AND EARTH WITH CLOCKWORK ROTATION?

FROM OCEAN ROVER
17-MAR-1997

ITS BLOODY COLD HERE AND MY FEET ARE FROZEN.HOWEVER THANK GOD ITS CALM AND WE HAVE A NICE BREEZE BOMBING US ALONG UNDER GENOA. WE HAVE JUST SPOTTED OUR FIRST ICEBERG. WE THOUGHT THEY HAD ALL MELTED BEFORE WE ARRIVED. IT LOOKS LIKE A SILICONE IMPLANT ON THE HORIZON AND SOME OF THE LADS ARE GETTING EXCITED LOOKING FOR THE PAIR.ITS LOOKS TO US TO BE A 44 D.

JOHN HIRSH HAS BEEN UP THE MAST TO TIGHTEN ALL THE BATTEN CARS AND OTHER TECHNICAL ITEMS. ALL THE DAMAGE IS REPAIRED AND THE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE DONE.

RANDALL HAS JUST COOKED BACON BUTTIES JUST LIKE THE ROVER CANTEEN AND ALL IN ALL LIFE IS PRETTY GOOD.

WE SHOULD BE ABREAST OF OUR ICEBERG IN ABOUT 1 HOUR SO WILL HAVE SOME BONZER PHOTOS.

WITH FONDLING REGARDS
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
16-MAR-1997

AS YOU ALL KN0OW WE ARE NOW IN THE LULL PERIOD WAITING FOR THE NEXT BLOW. IT IS AMAZING WHAT EFFECT THE BETTER WEATHER HAS ON MORALE. PEOPLE START EMERGING AND LOOKING AROUND ALMOST IN AMAZEMENT,RATHER LIKE BADGERS OUT OF A SET AFTER HIBERNATION. THE BEST SIGN IS WHEN PEOPLE HAVE SHOWERS AND WASHING GETS HUNG OUT ON THE GUARD RAIL. SOUNDS STUPID FOR PEOPLE SITTING IN THEIR OFFICES OR AT HOME BUT LITTLE SIGNS LIKE THIS LIFT EVRYBODY'S BEHAVIOUR.WE HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH BANTER ON OCEAN ROVER BUT THE BANTOMETER IS NOW READING AT A HIGH LEVEL FROM SLIGHTLY MEDIOCRE.THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THE HUMOUR NEVER STOPPED.

HEARING FROM OTHER BOATS WE CLEARLY CAME OUT OF THE STORM WITH MINIMUM DAMAGE. THE TOTAL SUM WAS A SNAPPED YANKEE HALYARD , WINDEX FROM THE TOP OF THE MAST WHICH LOST ITS AEROPLANE,4 SLIDES STUFFED ON THE TRISAIL AND NO 3 LEECH LINE RIPPED OUT.JON HIRSH HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN UP THE MAST AND THANK GOODNESS HE HAD AN EASIER RIDE THAN USUAL.HE HAS ALSO SHAVED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE.ANDREW GIVE US A FEW BROWNIE POINTS ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY EXTENSIVE MARITIME KNOWLEDGE BUT PAUL BENNETTS AND THE CREWS HARD WORK. I AM HERE TO MAKE THE OTHERS LOOK BRILLIANT.

THE BIZARRE THING IS THAT POOR LYN GUY HAS DAMAGED HER LEFT HAND WITH A BROKEN TIP OF THE FINGER AND SEVERE BRUISING. SHE WAS MANNING A WINCH IN 9 KNOTS OF WIND AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN GUST AND THE SHEET PULLED HER HAND INTO THE WINCH. SHE NATURALLY SHRIEKED AND FOR A SPLIT SECOND 3 OF US ON THE FOREDECK THOUGHT SHE HAD GONE OVER THE SIDE. AS THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT IT WAS A FEARSOME MOMENT. HOWEVER SHE IS FINE AND SMILING AS ALWAYS.

WE HAVE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF ICEBERGS BUT HAVENT SEEN ANY. I LIKED THE ONE WHICH IS A MILE HIGH. BASED ON O LEVEL GEOGRAPHY THIS MEANS THAT AS 2/3 RDS ARE BELOW THE SURFACE IT IS 4 MILES HIGH. ISNT THAT SLIGHTLY SMALLER THAN EVEREST? IT MUST BE AGROUND AS WELL.

LIFE IS NOW BACK TO CIVILISED NORM ON BOARD. EVERYHTING - INCLUDING THE GENERATOR- ARE BEHAVING THEMSELVES AND WORKING WELL. I BETTER GET GOING AS ROBERET BRUCE KEEPS PINCHING MY BOOTS AND THERE IS A GLOVE PILFERER. I TRIED TO GET OUR COP CAPSTICK ON THE CASE BUT HE KEEPS GIVING ME AN ARMLOCK AND TELLING ME TO GET STUFFED - IN THE NORMAL PUBLIC SERVICE MANNER OF COURSE.

BEST WISHES
HUMPHREY
CELL 2
PORT BLOCK

FROM OCEAN ROVER
15-MAR-1997

HELLO ALL AT HQ SORRY TO HAVE MISSED THE LAST COUPLE OF REPORTS BUT WAS EITHER WASHING MY HAIR OR ATTENDING MEETINGS. HOWEVER WE ARE BACK ON STREAM AND IN THE PINK.

i AM SURE YOU HAVE HAD STORIES FROM OTHER BOATS. ALL I WOULD SAY IS TO REPEAt CASSIUS'WARNING TO CAESER " BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH" FOR IT WAS ON THIS DAY THAT THE WORST OF THE STORM BROKE AND NEVER WAS A WARNING NEEDED TO BE HEEDED MORE.

WE CAME OUT OF THE STORM FAIRLY WELL WHICH IS A TRIBUTE TO PAULS SEAMANSHIP AND THE COURAGE OF THE CREW.

WE HAD A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS. THE FIRST WAS AT THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM WHEN THE SHEET FROM THE NO3 CAME BACK IN MY HAND MUM WHEN WE WERE TACKING. THE BOWLINE HAD COME UNDONE. THE END RESULT WAS A SAIL ON SELF DESTRUCT MODE FLOGGING ITSELF TO DEATH. ON TRYING TO TACK BACK THE OTHER SHEET KNOTTED ITSELF INTO WHAT LOOKED LIKE PLAITED LOAF THAT YOU SEE IN BAKERY SHOP WINDOWS.EVENTUALLY WE GOT THINGS UNDER CONTROL AND PULLED THE SAIL DOWN.

LIKE ALL OTHER BOATS WE HAD A PROBLEM WIHT THE TRISAIL. IT TOOK 1 1/2 HOURS TO GET UP AND REQUIRED EXTREME COURAGE AND ENDURANCE FROM BILLY THORNTON, JON HIRSH, HUGH FOGERTY AND LYN GUY. WE ARE PROUD OF THEM.

THE SEAS WERE MORE OF A PROBLEM THAN THE WIND. WE HAD 57 KNOTS BUT THE SEAS BECAME VERY STEEP AND SHORT. WEAVING A WAY THROUGH THESE MASSIVE WAVES WAS AN INDIVIDUAL CONTEST. WE MANAGED REASONABLY WELL AND AVOIDED FALLING OFF TOO MANY WAVES.

HOWEVER A REALLY BIG ROGUE WAVE HIT THE SIDE OF THE BOAT AND POOR DAVE KENNEDY WAS THROWN ONTO THE CHROME SURROUND BY THE STEERING. HE TRIED TO HOLD ON WITH HIS TEETH BUT THE END RESULT IS HUGE LIPS AND DR MO'S STITCHES. HE IS GOING TO JOIN THE BLACK AND WHITE MINSTRELS AND BE KNOWN AS ERASMUS.

THROUGH ALL THIS MAYHEM JIM LACEY WAS MAKING A CHEESE CAKE AND WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE BASE SETTING CORRECTLY. QUITE BIZARRE.

WHILST THE WEATHER WAS REALLY BRUTAL TT SEEMED THAT THE WEATHER GODS GAVE US A BIT OF HELP IN THE FORM OF THE SOUTHERN LIGHTS. AT LEAST IT WASNT PITCH BLACK AND WE HAD A WONDERFUL DISPLAY LIGHTING UP THE SKY.

THE WEATHER HAS NOW CALMED AND WE ARE BACK BOMBING ALONG WITH HIGH SPIRITS.HOWEVER WE ARE SERIOUSLY LOOKING FORWARD TO CAPE TOWN AND EVEN I MAY GET DRUNK WHICH THE CREW DONT BELIEVE. WE'LL SEE.

SPEAK TO YOU TOMORROW
BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH
HUMFRONIUS MAXIMUS ROGERAMUS.
MCMXXLMCXIV

FROM OCEAN ROVER
12-MAR-1997

WE ARE BOMBING ALONG IN COLD PLEASANT CONDITIONS WAITING WITH BAITED BREATH FOR THE WEATHER WHICH IS DUE TO HIT US IN NEXT 24 HOURS. IT SEEMS THAT THE DURATION OF THESE STORMS IS LONGER THAN WE EXPERIENCED ON THE FIRST SOUTHERN OCEAN LEG AND IT IS THE LENGTH OF THE BATTERING WHICH TAKES ITS TOLL.

ALL ON BOARD OCEAN ROVER IS WORKING FINE. WE HAVE THE ODD BLIP WITH THE HEATERS AND ALSO THE GENERATOR SUDDENLY STOPS NOW AND AGAIN BUT OUR HEATING ENGINEER RANDAL JACKSON AND DIESEL ENGINEER WILLIAM THORNTON GIVE BOTH A TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENT ( THATS A HIT WITH A BLOODY GREAT HAMMER AND ALL SEEMS TO GO WELL AGAIN.

WE WERE AMUSED BY THE RACE COMMITTEES RULING RE 3 COMMS PROTEST. DOES THIS MEAN AT THE START LINE AND WITHIN AN HOUR WE NEED A SECRETARY POISED DOWN BELOW TO TYPE OUT A PROTEST IMMEDIATELY. I CAN SEE IT NOW. " MISS SCRIMSHAW PLEASE TAKE A PROTEST IMMEDIATELY". AH WELL WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT YACHT RACING.

SPEAK TO YOU TOMORROW
BEST WISHES
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
10-MAR-1997 09:12:26

ANOTHER BALMY CRAZY DAY IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN. BECALMED THIS MORNING AND NOW WE HAVE 25 KNOTS OF BREEZE RISING. WE HAVE PUT UP OUR FLANKER WHICH SEEMS STRANGE WHEN THE BROCHURES TOLD US WE WERE GOING INTO THE WIND SEA AND CURRENT. HOWEVER WITH A BIG SWELL IT IS PROVING TO BE A BIT OF A HANDFUL.jON HIRSH HAS BEEN WRESTLING AT THE WHEEL WHILE WE TRY AND KEEP IT FULL.

THE RACE ORDER SEEMS TO FLUCTUATE TREMENDOUSLY. CAN IT FLUCTUATE OUR WAY FOR A CHANGE?

CREW IN GOOD SHAPE ALTHOUGH POOR PAUL CLIFTON HAS HAD A TOUGH TIME WITH SEA SICKNESS. HE ANSWERED A CALL FROM MARIUS HARTE AT ROVER WHEN THE UNFORTUNATE PAUL STEPHENS HAD HIS SHARK ATTACK IN SYDNEY. PAUL CLIF. WAS ASKED IF HE COULD GET ON A PLANE PRONTO AND FORSAKE HIS NICE AMENABLE LAST LEG RIDE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. APPARENTLY HE DECIDED IN 5 MINUTES TO COME AND I THINK HE LOOKED AT THE MAP AND SAW WE WERE GOING THROUGH HE SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN AND THAT SOUNDED PRETTY GOOD. HE THINKS THIS SHOULD BE THE ANTARTIC OCEAN INSTEAD AND WISH HE AHD MORE SENSE.

ROBERT BRUCE THINKS THIS IS A COLD WET LEG AND WITH THE CONFUSED SEAS WE HAVE HAD SEEMS TO BE TOUGHER THAN THE LAST LEG. HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING CAPE TOWN. DR MO IS ANYONES ( ALMOST ANYONES AS SHE IS VERY CHOOSY) IN EXCHANGE FOR A NICE LOG FIRE AND A CUP OF TEA.

ITS HUGE FOGERTY'S BIRTHDAY TODAY . HE IS 41 ALTHOUGH HE WAS BORN IN 1927. HOWEVER HE IS IRISH AND THEY DONT COUNT ALL THE YEARS.

QUOTE FROM WILLIAM TARQUIN THORNTON "4 WEEKS TO CAPE TOWN . SUNSHINE DRY BED AND EVERYTHING THAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD" I THINK HE IS TALKING ABOUT SHERBET HERE.

BILLY EXCELLED HIMSELF TODAY AS WE COULDNT GET THE AFT HEATERS TO WORK. WE PUT RANDALL WHO IS A ROVER ENGINEER ON THE CASE. EVENTUALLY WE FOUND THAT THE OUTLET HEATER PIPE WAS DETACHED BY AFORESAID BILLY WHEN HE WAS DELVING INTO THE GENERATOR. BIT OF A STEWARDS ENQUIRY HERE. (RANDALL DELVED INTO ALL THE TECHNICAL DIAGNOSTIC STUFF WITH ALL THE MANUALS OUT. PERHAPS HE SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THE HEATERS FIRST- BILLY T.)

NEXT TWO TO THREE DAYS LOOK WINDY SO HOPE TO ACCELERATE OUR PROGRESS.

MESSAGE TO MOTHER IN LAW FOR MOTHERS DAY "DEAR MOTHER IN LAW. YOU ARE LIKE THE SOUTHERN OCEAN. GREY, ROUGH UNPREDICATBLE AND YOU MAKE ME FEEL SICK. LOTS OF LOVE YOU OLD SCROAT. YOUR UNFORTUNATE SON IN LAW

SPEAK TO YOU SOON
LOTS OF LOVE
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
8-MAR-1997 08:48:38

WE ARE AT THE MOMENT IN THE FIRST OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN STORMS TO HIT US. WINDS SPEEDS REACHED 40 KNOTS AND THE SEAS WERE THE MOST CONFUSED WE HAVE SEEN. THE BIZARRE THING IS THAT WE HAVE SUNSHINE. THE PEAKS OF THE WAVES ARE QUITE TRANSPARENT SO PURE IS THE WATER . ITS LIKE LOOKING THROUGH AN AQUAMARINE GLASS VASE.

OUR HELMSMEN HAVE DONE THEIR BEST NOT TO CRASH OFF TOO MANY WAVES BUT THER SEA IS SO SHORT NO SOONER HAVE YOU SORTED OUT ONE WAVE WHEN THE NEXT ONE IS UPON YOU. JIM CAPSTICK HAD THE MOTHER OF ALL CRASHES AND CONFESSED HE WAS THROWN OFF THE WHEEL BY THE PREVIOUS WAVE AND WAS SCRAMBLING BACK TO GAIN CONTROL. ITS AN HONEST COP GUV HE WAS QUOTED AS SAYING.

WORST FEELING IS LYING IN YOUR BUNK FEELING THE BOAT RISE AND HOVER WONDERING WHETHER THE HELMSMAN HAS TIMED IT RIGHT OR WILL IT BE LIKE A STALLING PLANE. FLYING ISNT DANGEROUS CRASHING IS.

SEA SICKNESS IS BACK WITH US BUT HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE A LULL IN 8 HOURS TIME.

I CXOULD BE BY THE FIRE BUT QUITE LIKE IT HERE
REGARDS
HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
7-MAR-1997 09:25:19

HELLO ALL AT HQ

FROM THE GREY WEATHER AND THE INCREASE IN THE WIND WE ARE DEFINITELY BACK IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN.THE GLORIOUS SUNSHINE AND BIG SWELL HAS NOW TURNED INTO A CHOPPIER WINDIER SCENE. THE TEMPERATURE HAS NOTICEABLY DROPPED AND WE GET THE FEEL OF BEING BACK IN BUSINESS PROPPER FROM THE PREVIOUS BALMY WEATHER.

WE HAVE KEPT OUR FAMOUS "BEAST" SPINNAKER IN ONE PIECE FOR A WHOLE 12 HOURS WHICH IS ALMOST A RECORD. WOE BETIDE ANYONE WHO BLOWS IT NOW ESPECIALLY AS THE LAST REPAIR WAS DONE WITH HE HELP OF PRINCE MICHAEL. CALLS FOR DOWNWIND HELSMEN TO DO A SPELL ON THE WHEEL CLEAR THE DECK IMMEDIATELY AND I CAUGHT 4 PEOPLE CLEANING THE LOOS INSTEAD TRYING TO LOOK BUSY.

OUR LEGGERS ARE GETTING INTO THE ROUTINE OF COOKING. RANDALL IS CHEESE CAKE KING WHILE JIM LACEY IS ON THE MASH POTATO INDUCTION COURSE. PAUL CLIFTON TELLS ME HE IS BRILLIANT AS HE COOKS FOR HIS WIFE ALL THE TIME.

WE ARE NICELY PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK AND HOPE TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON.

BEST WISHES
HUMPHREY
PORT SIDE 2 MAN CELL
TOWER OF LONDON.

FROM OCEAN ROVER
6-MAR-1997 06:15:41

HELLO ALL AT RACE HQ

WHAT A FANTASTIC DAYS SAILING AND WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE BACK IN THE FLEET. DAVID KENNEDY COMMNENTED THAT THIS WAS UNEXPECTED DOWN WIND SAILING IN THE ENTRY TO THE SOUTHERN OCEAN - IS THIS REAL? BUT WE ARE NOW BACK TO THE BIG ROLLERS WE HAVEN'T SEEN SINCE BEFORE WELLINGTON.

LYN GUY IS SORRY TO LEAVE HER AUSTRALIAN HOME BUT DELIGHTED TO BE BACK IN THE RACE.

JON HIRSH IS DELIGHTED TO KNOCK THE MILES OFF AND CAN'T WAIT FOR CAPE TOWN. I THOUGHT WE WERE HERE FOR THE SAILING NOT THE SHERBET AND STEAKS. AH WELL WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT EITHER.

WE HAVE DONE SEVEN SPINNAKER PEELS IN 8 HOURS AND THE TEAM HAVE IT DOWN TO A FINE ART. WE ARE NOW FLYING THE FLANKER IN 25 KNOTS OF BREEZE. CREW ARE IN AND OUT OF BED EVERY COUPLE OF HOURS BUT WITH GLORIOUS SUNSHINE NOONE IS COMPLAINING.

"IT IS A FAR BETTER THING THAT I HAVE DONE TODAY THAN I HAVE EVER DONE AND AFTER THE WORK I HAVE DONE TODAY IT IS A FAR BETTER REST THAT I WILL GO TO THAN I HAVE EVER HAD BEFORE" CHARLES "THORNTON" DICKENS.

WE ARE WATCHING BORIS IN COURTAULDS FLYING HIS PROMO ON OUR STARBOARD SIDE- BRAVE LAD IN THIS WIND OR HE HAS EAGER STITCHING FINGERS WAITING IN SHREDDING CITY -RECKON HE WILL DROP IT SOON.

OCEAN ROVER IS SURFING TOWARDS THE SUNSET AND WE ARE SEEING THE LAST SHADOWS OF TASMANIA AND CIVILISATION SLIPPING AWAY INTO THE MIST. I SUPPOSE THIS IS PROGRESS.

ME? I MISS THE DOG.

LOTS OF LOVE
HUMPHREY FROM OCEAN ROVER
4-MAR-1997 07:34:03

WE HAVE HAD A WIDE RANGE OF WEATHER TODAY FROM SUNSHINE AND BECALMED TO THE CURRENT STORM WE RAE GOING THROUGH WHICH IS GUSTING 35 KNOTS AND HEAVY RAIN. WE HAVE JUST BEEN LEAPING AROUND THE DECK PUTTING IN A REEF AND DROPPING THE NO 1 JUST IN TIME BEFORE THE BOAT WAS KNOCKED FLAT.

WE HAVE CLAWED BACK MILES ON THE FLEET AND IT IS THE FIRST TIME FOR 36 HOURS WE HAVE HEARD LAUGHTER WHICH IS A SURE SIGN WHEN YOU GET OUT OF YOUR BUNK. THE SECOND INDICATOR IS HEARING THE WATER SWISHING PAST THE HULL AND THE MAIN SAIL STOP CRASHING AGAINST THE MAIN SHEET ALMOST AS IF IN FRUSTRATION. THE DREADED SOUND IN THE DOLDRUMS.

HUGH FOGERTY RECKONS WE HAVE HAD THE BEST 24 HOURS SO FAR IN THE RACE.

WE HAVE SENT JON HIRSH UP THE MAST TO FIX THE DECK LIGHT AND UNRAVEL THE SPINNAKER HALYARDS.HE WENT UP DOUBLE BASS AND CAME DOWN TREBLE. SOMEONE SOMEWHERE WILL DESIGN A BOSUNS CHAIR THAT CATERS FOR THE WELL ENDOWED.

LYN GUY HAS DONE WONDERS WITH THE CATERING. WE HAD STEAK LAST NIGHT AND TODAY WE HAD SAUSAGES FOR LUNCH AND PORK CHOPS FOR DINNER. JIM LACEY IS CHARGED WITH DINNER. HIS MOTHER WOULD BE PROUD OR AT LEAST WE HOPE SHE WILL BE PROUD AS IT ISNT COOKED YET. WE MAY HAVE TO CALL INTO HOBART FOR MORE FRESH FOOD BEFORE IT RUNS OUT AND THERE IS A MUTINY.

MAHLZEIT BEST WISHES HUMPHREY

FROM OCEAN ROVER
3-MAR-1997 06:44:13

DID YOU RECEIVE MY REPORT YESTERDAY IT HAS BEEN LOST ON OUR COMPUTER THIS END. PLEASE CONFIRM

I HAVE TO SAY THE MOOD ON OCEAN ROVER AT THE MOMENT IS ONE OF GREAT FRUSTRATION AND DISAPPOINTMENT. WE WERE LYING THIRD HAVING SAILED THROOUGH THE FLEET AND NOW WE ARE SHOWING SECOND LAST.IT ALL CHANGED IN A FLASH OF A SPINNAKER AND A FEW MILES EASTING WHICH THE REST OF THE FLEET TOOK AND GAINED SOME FAVOURABLE CURRENT. ON THE WATER WE ARE AS FAST OR FASTER THAN MOST BUT IT IS ALL DOWN TO TACTICS BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO AND PAUL BENNETT IS REVVING US UP.

WE HAD A HARD NIGHT LAST NIGHT DROPPING THE BIG KITE AND THEN HOISTING BOTH FORESAILS. WE THEN HAD TO TAKE THE STAYSAIL DOWN AND THE FOREDECK WAS ITS USUAL UNHOSPITABLE SELF WE WERE ASLO SHORT HANDED DUE TO ILLNESS SO LYN HUMPHREY AND RANDALL WERE BOUNCING AROUND GETTING WASHED DOWN THE DECK.

TONY HOLLINGSWORTH HAS ADMITTED ALTHOUGH TASMANIA IS HIS HOME HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BACK OF IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE - TEMPORARILY. JIM CAPSTICK IS ALREADY MISSING THE BEER AND WANTS TO GET THIS LEG OVER WITH. WE ALL HAVE A FEELING OF BEING ON THE WAY HOME AND WARMER LESS HOSTILE CONDITIONS. RANDALL JACKSON SAYS HE IS FEELING SICK AS A PARROTT BUT AS HE IS THE SIZE OF A GORILLA MAYBE HE ISNT THINKING BIG ENOUGH. JON HIRSH ISNT SAYING ANYTHING AS HE IS STILL ASLEEP BUT NO DOUBT HE WILL BE FILLING OUR HEADS WITH STATISTICS SHORTLY.

THE SEA IS UNPLEASANT AND CHOPPY AND THE DREADED SEA SICKNESS IS STILL HITTING HALF THE CREW. WE HAD A SLIGHT DIESEL SPILLAGE WHICH TURNED A FEW STOMACHS UNTIL WE CLEARED IT UP.

WE HAVE JUST PASSED DISASTER BAY WHEN THE SMOKERS DISCOVERED THEIR SPECIAL WATERPROOF MALBOROUGH SCREW TOP FAG EMPORIUM HAD GONE MISSING.THIS IS ALMOST A PAN MEDICO CALL UNTIL DR MO FOUND IT WITH A WOODEN SPOON IN THE DAY LOCKER. THANK GOD FOR SMALL HANDS. THE CLANK OF THE ZIPPO HAS RESTORED GOOD ORDER AS WE SAIL INTO THE NIGHT WITH ALL FAGS BLAZING.

SEE YOU TOMORROW
HUMPHREY

Leg 3

Yacht Ocean Rover
Date 10 February
WE ARE BACK IN THE GROOVE AFTER A GREAT STOPOVER IN WELLINGTON.WE OBVIOUSLY HAD TOO MUCH HOSPITALITY TOO MANY CHIPS AND NOT ENOUGH EXERCISE AS WE DONT FIT IN OUR SLIM LINE LIFE JACKETS ANY MORE.HOWEVER THE FIRST 24 HOURS AT SEA HAS GOT US ALL PUFFING AND PANTING . SEE YOU TOMORROW BATMAN HUMPHREY WALTERS

Yacht Ocean Rover
Date 11 February
WE HAVE JUST BEEN THROUGH A WINDY WILD NIGHT WITH THE WIND GUSTING 40 KNOTS. WE WERE ALONGSIDE CU AND 1 MILE AHEAD OF 3 COM WHEN WE HAD TO CHANGE HEADSAILS IN THE WORST OF THE WIND AND SEA. SOME OF THED CREW ARE SLOWLY RECOVERING FROM SEA SICKNESS WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE TAKEN LONGER THAN USUAL. WE ALL THOUGH THAT HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEMS BROUGHT NICE SUN AND CALM SEAS BUT WHAT HAS BEEN DELIVERED IS ROUGH TO CONFUSED SEAS AND SQUALLY SHOWERS TO KEEP US ON OUR TOES.

PRINCE MICHAEL IS ON THE HELMING ROTA AND GUIDING THE BOAT VERY SMOOTHLY AT THE MOMENT.

WE ARE HOPING FOR SOUTHERLY WINDS SO THAT WE CAN FREE OFF AND WING IT ALL THE WAY TO SYDNEY. SEE YOU HUMPHREY

Yacht Ocean Rover
Date 12 February
WE SAW A BIG HUMP BACK WHALE TODAY WHICH SURFACED BESIDE THE BOAT AND BLEW AT US BEFORE SLIPPING BENEATH THE SURFACE . THE NEXT TIME WE SAW HER - NAMED PRINCESS - SHE WAS 100 YARDS BEHIND US.

SLIGHT STEWARDS ENQUIRY ON BOARD AT THE MOMENT DUE TO THE FACT WE ARE HAVING A TOTALLY VEGETARIAN MEAL TONIGHT OF CAULIFLOWER CHEESE CARROTS AND MASHED POTATO- WHAT NO MEAT!! THE CRY WENT OUT. HOWEVER OUR PURSUR LYN GUY AND DOCTOR MO RECKON WE NEED TO BE MUCH HEALTHIER AND LOSE A BIT OF BALLAST IN SOME OF THE BODIES. TOO MUCH GUINESS AT MOLLY MALONES IN WELLINGTON HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE CAUSE. BEST WISHES HUMPHREY

Yacht Ocean Rover
Date 13 February
SMOKE SUDDENLY APPEARED OUT OF THE DORADES ON THE PORT SIDE WHICH INITIALLY SMELT LIKE TUNA BAKE BUT EVENTUALLY TURNED OUT TO BE THE EXHAUST FROM THE GENREATOR WHICH HAS BLOWN OFF.WE ARE DEFINITELY JINXED ON THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. WE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED BURNT TUNA BAKE INSTEAD OF EXHAUST PLASTIC BAKE AND YET ANOTHER DELVING INTO THE FOULIE LOCKER .

THE SMELL HAS BROUGHT A COUPLE OF SHARKS INVESTIGATING AND THEY HAVE CRUISED UP AND DOWN THE YACHT WAITING EXPECTANTLY FOR SOME RUBBY DUBBY OR BRAZILIAN BISCUITS WHICHEVER TASTE THE MORE DREADFUL.

THE ALBATROSS ARE BACK CRUISING AROUND THE BOAT EFFORTLESSLY KEEPING AN EYE ON US AS WE WAFT INTO THE DUSK AND ANOTHER NIGHT AT SEA.

SEE YOU TOMORROW REGARDS HUMPHREY

Yacht Ocean Rover
Date 14 February
UNFORTUNATELY WE RECEIVED NO PERSONAL VALENTINEW CARDS ON OCEAN ROVER. W'ERE EITHER TOO OLD OR TOO UNATTRACTIVE HOWEVER WE LIVE IN HOPE. HUMPHREY

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