FROM TIME AND TIDE
25-MAY-1997

ITS ALMOST CRIMMINAL HAVING TO DO TIME IN THE DOLDRUMS. HERE WE SIT, BREEZE ALL AROUND US AND WE SIT IN THE CENTRE OF A SPOTLIGHT OF CALM.THE SEA REFLECTING LIKE THE TORTURED MIRRORS OF A FUN FAIR, DISTORTING THE VIEWER TO DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR OR DISPARED. THERE ISNT A SINGLE PERSON ON BOARD WHO WOULDNT GIVE THEIR RIGHT ARM, WELL WE COULD TRADE A COUPLE OF SPARE LEGS FOR JUST ONE SMALL SOUTHERN OCEAN BLOW.ITS BEEN EXHAUSTING FOR THE CREW AS IT HAS FOR THE OTHER YACHTS CONSTANTLY CHANGING SAILS TO SUIT THE PRECARIOUS MOOD OF THE WIND.OUR COURSE IS SO RANDOM I'M WAITING FOR A TRAFFIC COP TO NIP OUT FROM BEHIND A SWELL.. PULL US OVER AND CHARGE US WITH DRIVING WITHOUT DUE CARE AND ATTENTION THROUGH A HIGH PRESSURE ZONE OR LOITERING WITH INTENT TO SAIL.
YOU TAKE YOUR LIFE IN YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU SUGGEST THAT THE TRIMMER SHOULD MOVE A TAD FASTER. WITH THE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY AS UNCOMFORTABLE AS THIS,ANY ONE OF US COULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS WHEN TOOLED UP WITH A WINCH HANDLE. BUT FORTUNATELY THE CRIME RATE, LIKE THE BREEZE, IS PRETTY LOW ROUND THESE PARTS.
BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO GET OUT ON BAIL..PLEASE.

FROM TIME AND TIDE
17-MAY-1997

PLEASE PASS ON TO MASTER BORIS WEBBER COURTAULDS INTERNATIONAL
FRM ALL ON TIME AND TIDE.

FROM TIME AND TIDE
5-MAY-1997

WITH ALL THE RAZZLE AND DAZZLE OF A SUPER BOWL OPENING CAPE TOWN SAW US OFF ON THE PENNULTIMATE LEG.AFTER THE SPLENDOUR OF THE TABLE BAY HOTEL THE REALITY OF THE YACHT IS RATHER HARD TO COME TO TERMS WITH.IN THESE FIRST HOURS OF THE RACE IT IS THE TIME THAT YOU REALISE THAT ALL THOSE LITTLE KEEPSAKES YOU HAVE AQUIRED AS A MOMENTOES OF SOUTH AFRICA ARE NOT QUITE AS SMALL OR AS LIGHT AS THEY FIRST SEEMED.AND THE BLUE BOX IS NOWHERE NEAR AS BIG,OR AS EMPTY AS IT WAS.AND YOU STILL HAVE TO FIND ROOM FOR THAT MINATURE OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY TO CRAM IN FOR THE WORLD TOUR TO BE COMPLETE. OUR START OF THIS LEG WAS AWFUL,AN OVERRIDING TURN ON THE MAIN HALIYARD WINCH MADE OUR SAIL HOIST LOOK A TAD MESSY AND WE CONFIRMED OUR TACKY SAIL HANDLING BY ACHIEVEING ANOTHER OVERRIDING TURN ON THE HEADSAIL HALIYARD WINCH WHEN THE SAIL WAS DUKE OF YORKED..ONLY HALF WAY UP ..NEITHER UP NOR DOWN.UNLIKE THE DUKE WE DONT HAVE TEN THOUSAND MEN, WE DO, HOWEVER, HAVE A FULL CREW.INCLUDING BREAK-A-LEG BRENDAN WEST WHO HAS REJOINED US, AFTER INJURING HIMSELF ON THE RIO/WELLINGTON RACE. HE IS ONE OF FIVE AMPUTEES ONBOARD, WHO HAVE BETWEEN THEM, INCLUDING SPARES TWENTY LEGS .NO THATS NOT STRICTLY TRUE..ITS MORE LIKE NINTEEN AND WHAT LOOKS LIKE PART OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE FROM A SNOOKER TABLE.WE ARE TRYING TO BE NIMBLE AS WE RACE NORTH-WEST FOR BOSTON BUT WE ARE CERTAINLY FAR FROM BEING LIGHT ON OUR FEET///

FROM TIME AND TIDE
12-APR-1997

ON BEHALF OF THE CREW + MYSELF PLSE PASS ON OUR THKS TO ALL AT RHQ FOR BEING WITH US AND LOOKIN OUT FOR US OVER THE PASSED FEW WEEKS. BEST REGARDS JAMES

FROM TIME AND TIDE
8-APR-1997

plse could you pass to group 4

ATT MIKE + CREW YOU HAVE ALL RACED A FANTASTIC LEG. CREW AND I ADMIRE YOUR STAMINA. JUST A FEW MORE MILES. PRESS ON. CANT BELIEVE ITS MATCH RACING STILL AFTER ALL THESE MILES . UTMOST RESPECT TO BOTH CONCERT AND YOUSELVES. SEE YOU IN THE BAR. JAMES + CREW TIME/TIDE.

FROM TIME AND TIDE
7-APR-1997

WELL DONE LIZ GOOD SAILIN/

WELL ITS ANOTHER TOUGH DAY THO THE PRESSURE HAS CHANGED FROM BEING ONE OF BEING BATTERED BY THE WEATHER DOING SAIL CHANGES TO BEING BATTERED BY THE DECISION WHETHER TO CHANGE SAILS.ITS VERY FRUSTRATING WATCHING THE WIND SPEED FALL BELOW SAIL LIMITS . RIGHT, THATS IT, TWO DOWN ONE UP, YOU DECIDE, THEN SECONDS LATER YOUR COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS AS YOU WATCH THE WIND CLIMB TO A POINT WERE YOURE THINKING ABOUT A FURTHER REEF RATHER THAN A SAIL INCREASE.THERE THIS NO ONE ON BOARD THE FRUSTRATION DOESNT HIT HELM, TRIM, BOW AND EVEN THE POOR GALLEY SLAVES' LIFE BECOMES HELL. ONE MINUTE FREE TO BAKE THE BREAD AND SCONES FOR TEA.. WE HAVE SOME EXCELLENT HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY JAM AND SOME TINNED THICK CREAM TO GO WITH THE FRUIT SCONES ALONG WITH SOME ON DAVIDS EARL GREY AND AFTERNOON TEA IS LOOKING VERY TASTY.. SORRY SIDE TRACKED THERE.

SO ONE MINUTE HAPPY IN THE GALLEY AND THE NEXT UP ON DECK ASSISTING IN THE SAIL CHANGE.ITS INCONVIENENT BUT NOT THE END OF THE WORLD..UNTIL THE LIGHT AND APPETITISING AROMA OF BAKING TURNS SLIGHTLY SMOKIER. ITS ALSO INTERESTING THAT THE CREW PAY ATTENTION TO TEA COOKING IN THE SAME WAY BISHOPS WATCH FOR SMOKE DURING PAPAL VOTES.SO IT WILL COME AS NO SUPRISE THAT SAIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN STOPPED ON ACCOUNT OF THE BREEZE..FROM THE GALLEY.EVEN THE OTHER NIGHT I HAD TO CALL CAROL BACK FROM THE FOREDECK TO CHECK ON THE APPLE CRUMBLE, DURING A CHANGE DOWN FROM GENOA TO NUMBER ONE. I SUPPOSE IF WE WERE SERIOUS ABOUT OUR FOOD ON TIME AND TIDE WE WOULD HAVE WORKED OUT TACKING ANGLES OF HEEL TO GET THE PERFECT SPONGE WEDGE CAKES. ITS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT WITH THE YACHT HEELING OVER AND THE OVEN NOT BEING GIMBLED THE SPONGE MIX WILL SLOPE IN THE TRAY SO YOU END UP WITH A WEDGE OF SPONGE CAKE ..TAKE TWO WEDGES TURN ONE OVER, WACK SOME JAM IN THE MIDDLE, PLACE WEDGES THICK END TO THIN END AND YOU SHOULD END UP WITH A LEVEL CAKE. PROVIDED OF COURSE THE TACKING ANGLES ARE THE SAME.

HERE'S ONE FOR ALL FAST FOOD PIZZA PLACES.ON ONE TACK, IN THE SAME PAN WE CAN ACHIEVE BOTH THICK AND THIN CRUST DEEP PAN AND THIN CRUST PIZZA//
ALL THIS AND SAILING TOO..SO WHO SAYS THAT YOU CANT HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT//

FROM TIME AND TIDE
6-APR-1997

MORNING EVERYBODY.

IT'S GETTING RATHER EXCITING ON BOARD NOW AS ALL THE YACHTS ARE BEGINNING TO FUNNEL IN TOWARDS CAPE TOWN.THE CREW ARE BECOMING LESS TOLERANT OF SLOPPY HELMING, SAIL CHANGES AND TRIMMING. THEY ARE VERY CONCERNED WHEN THE POLLS COME IN THAT HARD WON MILES MAY HAVE BEEN LOST BY A MOMENTS CARELESSNESS.IT HELPS WITH THE SAIL CHANGE THAT THE WATER IS NOW WARMER HOWEVER A SLIGHT AIR OF OVER CONFINDENCE IS A DANGEROUS THING AS WE FOUND OUT THIS MORNING.

WE WERE CHARGING ALONG UNDER REEFED MAIN NO.1 YANKEE AND AN EXCUSE FOR A STAYSAIL WHEN THE BREEZE POPPED UP AND THE VISIBILITY CRASHED TO ABOUT THREE BOAT LENGTHS.WITH THE WIND TOUCHING 45KTS WE TURNED DOWN WIND TO DROP THE HEAD SAIL. NO SOONER HAD WE TURNED AND RELEASED THE HALIYARD THAN, TWO BOAT LENGTHS AWAY FROM US ON OUR STARBOARD SIDE THE BIGGEST TIN OF TUNA I HAVE SEEN FOR A LONG TIME LOOMED OUT OF THE RAIN RUNNING PARALLEL TO OUR COURSE.

WE WERE NOW VERY CLOSE TO THE GYBE NO.1 WAS STILL ON ITS WAY DOWN AND APART FROM MYSELF NONE OF THE CREW HAVE SPOTTED OUR CLOSE FRIEND. NOR DID I WISH THEM TO, I JUST WANT THE SAIL DOWN WITHOUT ANY DELAY OR DISTRACTION.AFTER WHAT SEEMED AN ETERNITY THE SAIL WAS SECURED AND I THREW THE WHEEL HARD OVER TO STARBOARD TO TURN UP TO CROSS THE TINS STERN.WITHIN MINUTES WE HAD LOST SIGHT OF EACH OTHER AND WITH THE SEA STATE EVEN THE RADAR WHICH HAD BEEN ON AND CHECKED PRIOR TO THE DROP IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DISTINGUISH THE BOAT FROM THE SEA CLUTTER. IN THOSE VERY POOR CONDITIONS. I MIGHT HAVE LOST SIGHT OF MY FORE DECK CREW, FOR AS OUR BOWS CAME ROUND AND THEY CAUGHT SIGHT OF THE FISHING VESSEL THE COLOUR DRAINED FROM THEIR FACES HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THEIR BRIGHT COLOURED FOULIES THEY TOO MIGHT HAVE PALED INTO THE WHITEOUT.A SMALL TIN IS FINE FOR FIXING THE GENERATOR BUT, IF YOU'LL PARDON THE PUN YOU CAN HAVE TUNA MUCH OF A GOOD THING.

FROM TIME AND TIDE
4-APR-1997

IT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING AND AT TIMES FRIGHTENING PASSAGE SO FAR BUT WE ON TIME AND TIDE TODAY WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN TIME TO DROP US A LINE VIA THE WEB OR THROUGH ANY ONE OF THE MANY RADIO STATIIONS AROUND THE WORLD, SUCH AS PORTISHEAD RADIO.YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW INSPIRING IT IS FOR US TO RECEIVE THEM.. AND MAY I ADD THAT IT IS REMARKABLE JUST HOW TIMELY SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN.

ITS SO EASY OUT HERE TO BECOME INWARD LOOKING AND OUT OF FOCUS ON THINGS.CHAY IN HIS CHATS TO THE CREWS IN THE PRE RACE BRIEFINGS REMINDS EVERYONE THAT ITS NOT UTOPIA ON BOARD AND THAT WE MUST LEARN WHEN CONFLICT HAPPENS TO STEP BACK..ITS HARD TO STEP BACK SOMETIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS ONLY 67' OF STEPPING TO DO. WHEN YOU'RE COLD TIRED WET AND YOUR WATCH RELIEF HAS OVERSLEPT.. THATS A CRIME THAT CAN JUSTIFY AN AWFUL LOT OF UGLY FEELING. ADD TO THAT A TOUCH OF FEAR, AND DUST IT OFF WITH A DOSE OF SOMEONE WHO SLURPS HIS /HER CEREALS AND PRETTY SOON YOU HAVE A COCKTAIL OF EMOTION THATS SET TO EXPLODE.

CAROL A NORMALLY PLACID YOUNG LADY ATTACKED GRAHME (PLEASE DONT CORRECT THE SPELLING OF HIS NAME ITS HIS NAME AND THATS THE WAY HE LIKES TO HAVE IT SPELT) WITH HER FLUFFY CROCODILE THIS MORNING BECAUSE HE WAS SNORING. I'VE HAD TO TALK TO HER ABOUT IT COS THE NAUTICAL ALMANAC IS FAR MORE EFFECTIVE AND YOU CAN ALWAYS CLAIM IT WASNT YOU IT MUST HAVE FALLEN OFF THE CHART TABLE.

BY GIVING SUCH COUNSELLING WE TRY TO DEAL WITH SUCH SITUATIONS EARLY WHERE POSSIBLE. ITS A LITTLE HARDER WHEN ITS ME.. YES HARD AS IT IS TO BELIEVE EVEN THE SKIPPER HAS THE RARE' OFF MOMENT'.. SOME SNIVELLING WORM OF A CREW MEMBER SAID THAT THAT SHOULD READ RARELY IS HE OFF A BAD MOMENT.. BUT HE'LL PAY FOR THAT LATER.. THINGS BUILD UP AND UP AND IT BECOMES THE ONLY THING YOU CAN FOCUS ON. LIKE ON LAND IT AFFECTS ALL JUDGEMENT CALLS AND OUT HERE THERE IS NO ROOM FOR BAD JUDGEMENT THE PRICE IS TOO HIGH YOUR MESSAGES HAVE TOUCHED US DEEPLY AND BEEN AN AMAZING CURE FOR ON BOARD TENSION .YOU ARE A CONSTANT REMINDER TO US OF OUR CAUSE.

ISOLATED FROM THE OUT SIDE WORLD YOU HAVE BECOME A WONDERFUL REMINDER THAT WE ARE ON COURSE IN OUR BID TO CHANGE ATTITUDES AND HEIGHTEN AWARENESS. I HOPE THAT SOME OF YOU MAY FIND THE TIME IN CAPE TOWN BOSTON OR SOUTHAMPTON TO COME DOWN AND MEET THE CREW AND SEE OUR YACHT. WE WOULD BE PROUD TO SHOW YOU ROUND. IN THE MEAN TIME THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE FOR US AND CARING.. FROM ME THE SKIPPER.. AND FROM MY CREW WHOSE LIVES YOU HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY SAVED TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME/////

FROM TIME AND TIDE
30-MAR-1997

ATT LIZ THE FOLLOW ON TO THE STORY WAS THAT GRAHME STOPPED COOKING TO READ THE ARTICLE AND THE BREAD ALMOST BURNT.. BEST REGARDS JAMES

FROM TIME AND TIDE
30-MAR-1997

HI LIZ IF YOUR STILL THERE.. HAPPY EASTER
HERES OUR LATEST EFFORT

THERE ARE SOME DECISIONS THAT ARE EASY TO MAKE AND SOME THAT ARE HARD. FORTUNATELY FOR ME AS SKIPPER THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE JUST PLAIN MADE FOR YOU. PICTURE THE SCENE IF YOU WILL. IVE JUST FINISHED A TWELVE HOUR STINT ON WATCH.FRUSTRATED AS HELL AFTER A RUNNING BATTLE WITH THE WEATHER FAX THAT IS PLAYING UP AGAIN.

TO TUNE IT I SIT IN THE NAV STATION LISTENING TO THE TONES COMING OVER THE SET. THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE CRYSTAL CLEAR BUT THATS ONE NAIL IN THE COFFIN RIGHT THERE . TAKE THE FREQUENCY, TUNE THE SET TO THAT FREQUENCY, THEN DEDUCT ONE POINT EIGHT FROM THE FREQUENCY. GO TO THE PC WEATHERFAX AND CHECK THE TUNING SCOPE WHICH SHOWS A FREQUENCY / TIME GRAPH IN THE LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE SCREEN . WELL IT PROBABLY DOES BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A THREE YEAR OLD HAS HAD A SCRIBBLING FRENZY FIT FOR YOUR FINEST WALLPAPER.

THE CLOCK CONTINUES TO TICK. IN MY MIND I CAN SEE THE WEATHER FAX MAN IN WEATHER FAX CITY IS FAST WALKING TOWARDS HIS FAX MACHINE.. ALL HE HAS TO DO IS PLACE HIS PIECE OF PAPER ON HIS MACHINE AND PRESS GO THEN HE'S HOME TO THE WIFE, THE LITTLE ONES AND PROBABLY THE TORN WALL PAPER WHERE HE GOT HIS FAX FROM IN THE FIRST PLACE/ AND IM DESPERATELY TRYING TO FOLLOW STEP FOUR////

STEP FOUR, IF STEP ONE TO THREE DOESNT WORK TRY STEP TWO AGAIN BUT THIS TIME DEDUCT ONE POINT NINE.STEP FOUR NOW SHOWS THE CHILD HAS GONE BALLISTIC AND USING BOTH HANDS AND MULTIPLE CRAYONS/// THE SIGNAL HAS STARTED, NUMBERS ARE WHIRLING IN MY MIND.. DONT WORRY I TELL MYSELF SOUTH AFRICA ARE SENDING WEATHER MAPS OUT ALL THE TIME, THERE WILL BE MORE, IT WILL COME RIGHT. THAT WAS HOURS AGO.I STARTED AT 22.00HRS THROUGH TO 0920HRS DURING THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN DOING MY BEST WITH THE LASTEST TECHNOLOGY TO DETERMINE OUR GAME PLAN TO OVER TAKE OCEAN ROVER CATCH GROUP FOUR ON STARBOARD AND QUIETLY CRUISE INTO CAPE TOWN FIRST.

THE WIND HAS JUST BACKED THIRTY DEGREES. THE SKY AHEAD IS DARK AND GREY AND THE MATE WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER WE TACK. IVE PULLED MY DRYSUIT ON AS FAST AS I CAN LIKE A WACKO PULLING ON HIS STRAIGHT JACKET ON THE WAY TO THE FUNNY FARM... GOT STUCK IN THE HEADS TRYING TO GET OUT OF IT THE OTHER DAY BUT THATS A STORY BY REQUEST ONLY.. IM TRYING TO BUY TIME NOW, SO ALL CALM AND KNOWING LIKE I START ASKING QUESTIONS. HOWS THE BAROMETER? WHATS THE WIND SPEED?... IM NOW PASSING THE GALLEY WHERE GRAHME IS BUSY. I ASK HOW HE'S DOING HES FINE , BREADS IN THE OVEN .. AND VERY GOOD IT SMELLS TOO, HES GOING TO SPOIL THAT WIFE OF HIS WHEN THIS TRIPS OVER..IM ON DECK AT LAST AND CHRIS THE MATE IS AT THE WHEEL. THE ENTIRE WATCH ARE NOW WAITING FOR SOME INSPIRED SKIPPERING TO TACK OR NOT TO TACK? WINCHES ARE READY RUNNERS POISED ...

'LETS HOLD THE TACK', I SAY AS I LOOK KNOWINGLY AT THE DULL GREYNESS AROUND ME LIKE IM TRYING TO CATCH THE SCENT OF THE NEW WIND OR SMELL THE RAIN. ..ALAS NO ITS THE SCENT OF THE FRESH BREAD AND EVERY GOOD COOK KNOWS YOU NEVER DISTURB THE OVEN WHEN BREADS BAKING// END

FROM TIME AND TIDE
29-MAR-1997

HAPPY EASTER FOLKS .. WELL DONE LIZ GOOD RACING FRM JAMES + CREW

WELL, THE RIGS SLACK, THE CREWS WHACKED, SHEETS ARE CHAFFED AND SAILS ARE WORN. THE AIR IS FULL OF TALK OF' DARING DO' BRAVELY DONE. BILGES ARE PUMPED AND COFFEES BREWED. BREAKFAST, SUPPER OR ARE WE STILL GOING TO HAVE LUNCH FROM YESTERDAY SOMETIME TODAY? WHO CARES THE PRESSURE IS RISING THE SEA HAS LOST ITS ANGER AND THE WIND IS HEADING FOR THE HORN. THE SUN IS SHINING AND THE SKY IS BLUE. EVEN THE HAIL IN THE GUSTY SQUALLS THAT NOW HIT US SEEM POSITIVELY FRIENDLY.

THERE'S TIME TO TAKE A MOMENT AND REFLECT THAT COURAGE TAKES MANY FORMS.. I CAN SEE ELEVEN SHAPES OF IT ON MY YACHT TIME AND TIDE EACH TIGHTLY WRAPPED IN THEIR HENRI-LLOYDS, SPRAY GOGGLES AND MITTS. TIRED AND WET,COLD AND HUNGERY BUT NOT COMPLAINING ... AND WE ARE BUT ONE YACHT OF FOURTEEN THAT SET OUT TO DO THE TOUGHEST YACHT RACE AND SECRETLY WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY IF IT HAD ONLY BEEN THE HARDEST.WE WOULD STILL HAVE BOASTED JUST AS LOUDLY.

ADMIRATION TO THE OTHER SKIPPERS AND CREWS FOR IT IS THEY, WHO IN PART DRIVE US, ON PUSHING US ON TO CAPE TOWN AND THE FINISH LINE. SOME OF THEM MAKE OUR PLIGHT MINISCULE COMPARED WITH THE PROBLEMS THEY FACE. BUILDING BOOMS, STITCHING MAINS DODGING UNSEEN ICEBERGS WITH RADARS BLIND.KNOCK DOWNS,TO HAVE YOUR WORLD TURN THRO NINTY, ONE HUNDRED DEGREES PLUS OUT OF TRUE IN THE BLACKOUT OF A STORM TOSSED NIGHT, TO HEAR THE WAVE APPROACH AND FEEL CRASH AND ROLL IS A NIGHTMARE COME TRUE. AND YET THEY ARE STILL PUSHING ON, NO HANDS- UP OF SURRENDER NO QUITTING FOR THIS FLEET. EACH YACHT UNKNOWINGLY INSPIRING AND DRIVING THE OTHERS. ITS REALLY SOMETHING TO BE APART OF.BEEN THERE.. DONE THAT.. WHO NEEDS THE T SHIRT .. ITS WET ANYWAY/ END

FROM TIME AND TIDE
26-MAR-1997

generating power to the disabled cause

there was more tension on board time and tide yesterday than at nasa when the the shuttle is about to be launched but then the shuttles exhaust system is not comprised of a collection tuna fish tin cans stuck together with epoxy glue and sicaflex.the whole exercise was like a scene from blue peter the only failing we had was the we did not make use of the manditory cerial packet,lollipop sticks and sticky backed tape.. but then we werent trying to build a complete generator.

the hand sewn drive belt was fashioned from the finest bungee cord to be found anywhere on a challenge yacht.its a well known fact that not even the space shuttle has such crafted drive belts. as i write we are preparing for an up turn in a new a cottage industry.. kerguelen island belts a subsidury of the revived south sea bubble company.the company also boast strong links with the heath mainsail manufacturing co. specialising in hand made sails and the pause to remember boomers who can bash you a boom out in no time flat. crafted without the use of tuna tins or a can opener.not forgetting the cu seethere mark one eyeball iceberg detector unit.

chays latest plans are to splt the fleet up into groups and sell off the franchaises.. at very reasonable prices i believe, to cover mid ocean yacht repairs bit like the aa /rac with water wings/. we are at present working on a hard wearing,long lasting,floating traffic cone for those great circle route break downs.

anyway back to the plot.. after extensive preignition checks we fired up the generater only to discover a leak at the exhaust manifold..tuna tin to those in the trade.. with the use of the mirror from the dental kit an inspection revielled two areas of sicaflex deprevation.the fault was corrected by a liberal smearing

...nothing to do with the forthcoming elections ..of more sicaflex. at 00.23 hrs we fired her up and achieve con- tin-uos running. so what more can one want.gennie working, storm died ,beautiful sunrise. one of the girls said an island would be nice..well we have an empty washing up bottle and some glue and...//////end.

FROM TIME AND TIDE
25-MAR-1997

THERE IS A GREWAT DEAL OF INSPIRED THINKING GOING ON OUT HERE WITHIN THE FLEET. ITS THESORT OF IMAGINATIVE MANAGEMENT A LOT OF MAJOR COMPANIES WOULD LOVE TO HAVE WITHIN THEIR ORGANISATIONS. BEHIND US PAUSE TO REMEMBER OR AND I MEAN IT KINDLY PAUSE TO REPAIR ARE REBUILDING A BOOM IN CONDITIONS THAT ARE FAR FROM KINDLY. WE ARE COOKING UP SOME REPAIRS OF OUR OWN. THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING THEY SAY BUT HERE ON TIME/TIDE WE ARE MORE INTERESTED IN THE MAIN COURSE. A BEARING ON THE ALTERNATOR SEIZED UP, CAUSING THE DRIVE BELT TO SMOKE.FILLING THE YACHT WITH A DENSE CLOUD OF SMOKE.I THINK THE PERSON WHO WAS MOST AFFECTED BY THIS WAS DAVID TAIT WHO WAS HELMING US THROUGFH STORM FORCE WINDS AND VERY LARGE SEAS.BELIEVE THE REMARK WAS ' THERE I WAS FREEZING MY BUTT OFF WISHING I WAS WARM AND JAMES BLESS HIS HEART SETS FIRE TO THE YACHT FOR ME '...IT WASNT HIS EXACT WORDS BUT IT DID MAKE HIM ACUTELY AWARE OF JUST HOW EXPOSED WE ARE WHEN THINGS GO WRONG.WE OPENED THE MAIN HATCH TO VENT THE YACHT AND ALL POOR DAVID COULD SEE WAS THIS LONG COLUMN OF DENSE SMOKE RISING OUT OF THIS TIN CAN WE CALL HOME.

THE WATER PUMP ALSO STOPPED CAUSING THE EXHAUST TO HEAT UP, MELTING ONE OF THE FITTINGS ON THE VETUS BOX. ALL IN ALL NOT A HAPPY DAY FOR GENERATOR ENTHUSIASTS THE CHALLENGE BUSINESS HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT POSSIBLE GENERATOR FAILURE WHEN THEY PLANNED THE CRAFT SO ALL SERVIVES CAN ALSO BE RUNOFF THE MAIN ENGINE. THE ONLY PENALTY IS INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPION. THIS IN TURN COULD POSE A THREAT TO OUR LIFE STYLE TO WHICH WE HAVE GROWN ACCUSTOMED.. HOT SHOWERS DAILY, CABIN HEATERS, STERIO GOING 24HRS, READING LIGHTS OVER OUR BUNKS ..SUDDENLY THIS LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BECOME A VERY TOUGH RACE INDEED.

I LIKE TO CONSIDER MYSELF AS AN OPTIMISTIC SKIPPER AND THEREFORE ALTHO WE HAVE A PROBLEM WE ALSO HAVE THE IMAGINATION AND SKILL ON BOARD TO FIND A SOLUTION .. ONLY IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALISE THE SOLUTION IS LIKELY TO BE IN DISGUISE. CHRIS OGG AND I HAVE A COUNCIL OF WAR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FOUR DAYS. LAST TIME THE BATTEN TENSIONING SCREW BROKE HE WANTED TO BREAK

AND GLUE THE BREAD KNIFE TO FIX IT.. I OVERRULED HIM.. I BROKE HIS METAL RULER AND WE GLUED THAT INTO PLACE INSTEAD.THE BREAD KNIFE IS PART OF THE YACHTS INVENTORY AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT//
AS A RESULT OF THE POW POW CHRIS AND I HAVE CREATED A NEW DRIVE BELT THE PRESENT ONE IS' HATOGG MARK THREE'. ONE AND TWO WORKED TILL THEY BROKE BUT THEY ONLY INPSIRED US TO BETTER THINGS. THE EXHAUST IS INTERESTING. WE ENDED UP CUTTING THE MELTED SECTION OFF,THIS WAS AFTER TRYING TO GET IT HOT ENOUGH TO RESHADE BY BOILING IT IN THE PRESSURE COOKER ..IT DIDNT WORK AND WE FORGOT TO TELL THE DUTY COOK WHO PROCEEDED TO MAKE SOUP IN THE SAME POT. CHRIS AND I HELD OUR BREATH AND SKIPPED THE LUNCH//
IN ORDER TO GET THE AMPUTATED PIECE TO FIT THE VETUS BOX IT BECAME NECESSARY TO CHANGE THE DINNER MENU TO TUNABAKE SO THAT WE COULD USEDTHE EMPTY TIN TO FABRICATE THE REST OF THE FITTING. THIS HAS NOW BEEN ACHIEVED SUPPER AND THE FITTING ARE FINISHED. CHRIS AND I ARE WAITING FOR THE GLUES TO SET AND THE SILICONE TO DRY ,THIS IS THE FITTING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOT THE SUPPER// IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IT WILL MEAN THAT WE CAN RUN THE GENNNIE TWICE, FOR THE COST FUEL WISE OF ONE ENGINE RUN.THUS EXPANDING OUR FUEL/ CHARGING RATIO. IF IT DOESNT WORK THERE ARE SOME TINS OF BEANS THAT LOOK THE RIGHT SIZE AND IF WE RUN OUT OF GLUE THE INSTANT MASH HOLDS PROMISE////. END

FROM TIME AND TIDE
20-MAR-1997

WELL THE WEATHERS BEEN AND GONE ALONG WITH A LITTLE PIECE OF OUR STAYSAIL.WE HAD BEEN TRAVELLING COMFORTABLEY UNDER THREE REEFS AND STAYSAIL, WHEN WE GOT HIT BY SEVENTY SIX KNOTS.THE FORCE WAS SUCH THAT I DIDNT THINK IT SAFE TO PUT CREW ON DECK TO TRY AND TAKE THE SAIL DOWN.TWICE THE YACHT WAS LAID OVER TO SUCH A POINT THAT THE RADAR POST WAS ABOUT FIFTEEN DEGREES OFF THE WATER. IT WAS JUST OVER AN HOUR UNTIL THE WIND EASED TO THE TOP END OF THE FIFTIES AND WE COULD PUT A TEAM ON DECK TO RECOVER THE REMAINS. THE TOP THIRD WAS SHOT AWAY AND SIX PISTON HANKS WERE IN PIECES.WE THEN HOISTED THE STORM STAYSAIL AND CONTINUED THE REST OF THE NIGHT DOING A MODEST SIX AND HALF KNOTS. THE CREW WERE AS EVERY TERRIFIC SOME SPOKE ABOUT THEIR FEARS AND I WOULD JOKE WITH THEM ABOUT THE BIG WAVES.NOT SURE THERES SPACE IN THEIR WORLD FOR ME TO TALK ABOUT MY FEARS. I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT SKIPPERS IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS OR SITUATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO SHRUG IT OFF AND SAY SOMETHING PROFOUND LIKE... ITS NOT THAT MUCH THE B'N'G CALIBRATION HAS BUT SET TO READ HIGH SO WE REEF EARLY. OR.. WAVES ALWAYS LOOK BIGGER FROM THAT ANGLE. THE BEST ONE IS THAT I WANT THE HELM TO KEEP THE YACHT STEADY BECAUSE I AM GOING BELOW TO DO SOME BAKING.

UNLIKE MOST OF THE SKIPPERS THE STRESS AND STRAIN SHOULD HAVE LITTLE NOTICEABLE EFFECT ON MYSELF AND DAVID TOMKINSON SKIPPER OF 3COM... WE ARE ALREADY WELL ADVANCED WITH OUR GREY HAIRS/

SEVERAL OTHERS WILL ESCAPE NOTICE IF THEY HAPPEN TO LOOSE AFEW MORE HAIRS, BUT ITS BETTER TO BE GREY ..ASK ANY BALD MAN.

FROM TIME AND TIDE
19-MAR-1997

TONIGHT IS ON OF THOSE NIGHTS WE NEED THE STRENGTH AND PROTECTION OF TIME AND TIDE. I HAVE A FEELING THE SAME GOES FOR THE OTHER CREWS IN THE RACE. THE BAROMETER HAS CONTINUED TO FALL STEADILY FOR THE LAST TEN HOURS AND IS STILL DROPPING.

THE EVENING IS UPON US AND THE YACHT IS STEADY.THE CREW ARE FAIRLY QUIET MOST GRABBING AS MUCH SLEEP AS POSSIBLE OR JUST LAYING IN THEIR BUNKS READING, REFLECTING DOING SOMETHING TO CUT THE NOISE OF THE WIND AND SEA OUT. CHRIS OGG IS RE STITCHING HIS LEE CLOTHE. HOW ROUGH IS HE EXPECTING IT TO GET I WONDER?GRAHME ONE OF OUR TAME AUSSIE IS SPRING CLEANING THE GALLEY.

OUTSIDE THE SEA DOES LOOK AWESOME DRIVEN BY THE POWERFUL NORTH WESTER. LOOKING TO STARBOARD THE WAVES ARE CRESTING AND STARTING TO BREAK THEY ARE GETTING BIGGER EACH HOUR. WHEN THEY IMPACT AGAINST THE HULL THE AIR IS FILLED WITH LARGE VOLUMES OF AIR BORNE WATER.THEV DECKS ARE BURIED UNDER SEVERAL FEET OF WATER.THE COLLISION IS FELT THROUGH OUT THE YACHT ,SHELVES, LOCKER AND BUNKS SHAKE AND RATTLE AND OCCASIONALLY SPILL THEIR CONTENTS MAYBE THAT EXPLAINS CHRIS'S ACTIONS.

OFF TO PORT THE WAVES MOVE AWAY FROM US LOOKING LIKE MILD RIPPLES THAT WOULDN'T HURT A FLY.THE AIR IS FILLED WITH A MIST LIKE SPRAY.IN THE GLOW OF THE NAVIGATION LIGHTS IT COULD BE MISTAKEN FOR SMOKE THEY CERTAINLY DON'T LOOK TROUBLED BY OUR BEING IN THEIR PATH. THE WHITE WAKE OF THE WOUND THAT OUR 42 TONS OF STEEL HAS CUT INTO THEIR MAJESTIC BEAUTY IS SOON HEALED AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR ENDLESS GLOBAL TRAVELS. ONE CANNOT HELP BUT NOTICE THE FACT THEY EVEN THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO GO TO WINDWARD/ END

FROM TIME AND TIDE
19-MAR-1997

IT WAS A TAD REMINICENT OF AN AIRLINE PRE- FLIGHT PASSENGER BRIEFING WERE THEY EXPLAIN ABOUT THE OXYGEN MASKS DROPPING FROM THE OVERHEAD LOCKERS. JAMES 'THE KIPPER' HAD GONE OFF WATCH WHEN THE BREEZE HAD EASED AND CLIMBED INTO HIS BUNK HAVING LEFT INSTRUCTIONS TO BE CALLED IF THE WIND HIT 33KNOTS AGAIN. THIRTY FIVE MINUTES AFTER HIS HEAD HIT THE PILLOW THAT IS COMPRISED OF THE DEBRIS THAT HAS COLLECTED ON HIS BUNK FROM THE LAST TACK, WE HAUL HIM ON DECK. ITS ALREADY BLOWING A HOWLIE. TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE.

WE DROP THE NO2 AND PREPARE THE NO3 FOR HOISTING.NIGEL SMITH ,STEVE LATTER,PAUL H,AND CHRIS OGG ARE DOING THE DECK WORK JAMES IS HELMING AND CAROL SEARS IS ON MAIN TRIM. WE BEAR AWAY DOWN WIND WHICH AFFORDS US THE LUXURY OF THROWING THE SAIL DOWN THE FORE HATCH INSTEAD OF HAULING IT BACK AFT AND DOWN THROUGH THE MAIN HATCH.THE WIND HAS NOW TYPICALLY EASED AND WE LOOK AT JAMES AS IF TO SAY WELL IT WAS BLOWING.WE START TO PREPARE THE NO3 TO COME ON DECK WHEN JAMES SAYS WE ARE GOING TO SAIL HEADLESS..IS THIS A NEW CREW MEMBER SOME ONE JOKES.

THE FIVE MINUTE RULE COMES INTO EFFECT WHIE WE WAIT AND SEE WHATS THEWINDS GOING TO DO.. THESE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LAST AN HOUR BUT JAMES SEES HE SAYS A LOAD OF WIND HEADING OUR WAY AND WE WILL STAY AS WE ARES .DAVID TAIT AND PAUL BURNS BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF AS THIS MEANS THEY CAN GO BACK TO BED. THEY ARE OFF WATCH AND HAVE BEEN DRAGGED FROM THEIR BUNKS TO ASSIST THE SAIL CHANGE. ONE OF THE PRICES WE HAVE TO PAY FOR SAILING SHORT HANDED. THE LACK OF TWO CREW MEMBERS IS TAKING ITS TOLL.WE ARE RUNNING TWO FIVE PERSON WATCHES. ONE PERSON FROM EACH IS ON PERMINANT RADAR WATCH . SO PUSHING TO KEEP UP WITH THE FLEET IS VERY DEMANDIND.THERE IS A FEELING AMONGST THE CREW THAT JAMES DOESNT ALWAYS SHAKE OUT THE REEFS AS SOON AS HE COULD AND ON THE WHOLE WE DO SEEM TO REEF EARLY. ANYWAY JAMES DECIDES TO SAIL WITH JUST THE THREE REEFED MAIN AND STAYSAIL AND WE ARE SENT BELOW WHILE HE AND CAROL TRIM THE SAILS.THERE IS ONLY TWO OF THEM SO HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT//

SO THATS THE BACKGROUND.. AND JAMES COMES BELOW TO DO THE UP DATED BRIEFING. HE IS SOAKED. HE EXPLAINS THE WIND ANGLE HE WANTS US TO HELM THEN EXLPAINS THAT THERE IS A HIGH MOISTURE CONTENT IN THE AIR.. HES NOT TALKING HUMIDITY.. AND IN AN AIRLINE VOICE SAYS THAT IF IT BECOMES EXTREME SNORKELS WILL DROP FROM THE OVER HEAD LOCKERS. WE SHOULD EXSTINGUISH ALL CIGARETTES, PLACE THE SNORKEL IN OUR MOUTHS AND BREATH NORMALLY/.END.

FROM TIME AND TIDE
17-MAR-1997

MORNING A.R. AND TO ALL AT RACE HQ . BREEZE IS GREAT. SHOOTING STRAIGHT DOWN BARREL TO WAY POINT. SEEN NO ICE YET .HOPE IVE GOT US IN RIGHT OCEAN///
WARMEST REGARDS FRM COLD OCEAN
JAMES + CREW TIME/TIDE

REGARDS JAMES. TIME/TIDE.
THE SUNSET TONIGHT WAS A TRUELY AWESOME SPECTACLE.WE SAILED DOWN A SUNBEAM GIVING CHASING TO THE SINKING ORB AS IT RAN FOR THE HORIZON. DISPITE FULL SAIL AND TEN KNOTS OF SPEED WE COULD ONLY DANCE OUR WAY THROUGH THE PLATINUM PATH WAY OF WAVES AS ONCE AGAIN IT BEAT US TO THE EDGE OF OUR WORLD.THE WARMTH OF ITS BEAUTY MADE UP FOR THE CHILL IN THE AIR.NOT TOO UNCOMFORTABLE TODAY BUT WHEN THE WIND BUILDS THE CHILL FACTOR TURNS THIS OCEAN INTO A HARSH WILDERNESS COMPLETE WITH HUGE FLOATING ISLANDS OF ICE AND SEA MONSTERS THAT BLOW PLUMES OF MIST HIGH INTO THE AIR. AT TIMES I WONDER IF WE ARE NOT SAILING ACROSS ONE BIG JURRASSIC PARK.

THERE IS A PURITY AND HONESTY THAT TRANCENDS MODERN MUMBO JUMBO.PREDUDICES ARE BLATANT .ITS NOT COLOUR CREED OR SEX THAT IS DISCIMINATED AGAINST, IT IS HUMANS IN GENERAL.WE ARE TRASPASSING ACROSS ANOTHERS TERRITORY.LIKE REFUGEES WE CARRY OUR HOMES WITH US. TOO LATE TO GO BACK FOR THAT WHICH WAS FORGOTTEN.YET ALONG THE WAY WE WILL HARVEST MEMORIES THAT WILL FEED AND ENRICH US FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES.ON ARRIVAL AT THE NEXT SAFE PORT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MEASURE THE MAGNITUDE OF OUR ACHIEVEMENT. FOR SOME CAPE TOWN WILL BE THE END OF THEIR DREAM,THEIR GOAL REACHED.FOR OTHERS JUST ANOTHER BRIEF BUT ATTRACTIVE RESPITE BEFORE THE GREAT LENGTH OF THE ATLANTICS. I HAVE BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE,BUT SECOND TIME AROUND AND BORING IT IS NOT.ITS EXCITING TO BE SHARING IT WITH A CREW WHO DIDNT SET OUT ON THIS ADVENTURE AS SAILORS.TO SEE THEIR SKILLS DEVELOPE IN ADDITION TO THEIR DETERMINATION TO BE COMPETATIVE IS FABULOUS... AND IT IS ALL COMING TOGETHER IN ONE OF THE MOST REMOTE AND INHOSPITABLE OCEANS I KNOW. BUT WHEN IT HAS THEM,IT DOES HAVE GREAT SUNSETS. END

FROM TIME AND TIDE
16-MAR-1997

A GIFT TO RECEIVE ....

ITS SEEMS THE MAGIC GROWS AS THE TRIP PROGRESSES. HERE WE ARE HAVING ENDURED A WONDERFUL STORM THAT SAW MANY OF THE YACHTS HIT WITH VARIOUS PROBLEMS THAT HAVE COST THEM TIME WHILE WE ATE OUR BACON SARNIES AND CARRIED ON.LAST NIGHT THE WIND BEGAN TO EASE AND BECAME LIGHT AND VARIABLE. SUDDENLY IN THE QUIET OF THE NIGHT THERE WAS THE SOUND METALIC CHIMES .. WAS IT SANTAS SLEIGH PASSING OVER AS HE HEADED HOME TO THE SOUTH POLE AFTER A LITTLE HOLIDAY IN THE WARM MALDIVES.. SOME HOPE. IT WAS THE SOUND OF THE PORT AND STARBOARD RINGS FROM THE THIRD REEFING POINT FALLING TO THE DECK.DISAPPOINTED A FEW CREW ..WELL IT COULD HAVE BEEN SANTA. LOOK AT THE GIFTS WE WERE GIVEN.

THIRTY HOURS AGO IT WAS BLOWING SIXTY HOUNDS FROM HELL AND THAT REEFING POINT WAS SECURING THE MAIN SAIL. HAD IT PARTED THEN THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO MAIN SAIL LEFT.PAUL BURNS OUR SAIL FIXER SPENT TEN MINUTES STITCHING AND THE JOB WAS DONE.

DAWN BROKE AND THE WORLD WAS TRANSFORMED FROM BLACK AND MISERABLE TO GREY AND MISERABLE. I HAD A RARE TREAT OF VISITING THE POINTY END JUST TO REMIND MYSELF WHAT WAS UP THERE.STANDING AT THE FOOT OF THE MAST I LOOKED UP AT THE SAILS.GREAT YELLOW THINGS THEY ARE TOO EXCEPT THE NUMBER ONE HAD A CHINK OF SKY VISABLE THROUGH IT ALONG ONE OF THE SEAMS, JUST ABOVE THE CLEW PATCH. WE DROPPED IT PUT IN A DOZEN STICHES.. GOOD AS NEW.HAD IT GONE UNNOTICED THE WHOLE SEAM WOULD HAVE GONE AND RESULTED IN HOURS OF STICHING AND WORSE LOSS OF A VALUABLE SAIL FOR MANY HOURS.

THEN AS DAY LIGHT CAME WE WERE ABLE TO REPLACE THE STASYSAIL HALYARD WHICH HAD PARTED DURING THE STORM. MIND YOU BEING THE POOR CHAP WHO ACTUALLY HAD TO GO UP THE MAST TO RETHREAD IT. MAY I SAY THAT ITS HARD TO SPOT THE GIFT SWAYING SEVENTY FIVE FEET UP THE MAST, ON A SOUTHERN OCEAN SWELL.BUT WHAT A WONDERFUL VIEW OF THE GREYNESS. NOW LIKE CHRISTMAS THE BEST GIFT IS SAVED TILL LAST..T WE HAVE AN EASTERY BREEZE ALLOWING US THE PRIVILEGE OF A BEAUTIFUL KITE RUN ..WHAT A PERFECT SUNDAY SAIL.

I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN THINGS HAPPENING FOR A REASON ITS THERE IF YOU LOOK. ANY OF THE FORE MENTIONED REPAIRS THAT TOOK MOMENTS TO DEAL WITH, COULD IN DIFFERENT CONDITIONS COST US DEARLY.

I ALSO ENDORSE THE CHALLENGE ETHOS OF PROMOTING GOOD SEAMANSHIP. LOOK AFTER YOUR VESSEL AND YOUR VESSEL WILL LOOK AFTER YOU.SHE FORGIVES US OUR MISTAKES,PROTECTS US FROM THE MIGHT OF THE OCEANS AND IS NOW CARRYING US HOMEWARD.SHE HAS A CHARACTER SO SHE CAN BE A HEROINE.

AND IF 42 TONS OF STEEL CAN BE ALL THAT WHO SAYS WE CAN'T BELIEVE IN SANTA TOO.. EVEN THO ITS ALMOST EASTER.

FROM TIME AND TIDE
14-MAR-1997

YOU LAST SEE THEM ON THE DOCK WHEN YOU KISS THEM GOOD BYE AND ENTRUST THEM INTO THE SKIPPERS CARE.

THEY HAVE ALL SIGNED THE CREW DECLARATION FORM. THEY ALL ACKNOWLEDGE ITS A DANGEROUS GAME THAT THEY ARE EMBARKING ON. BUT THATS ALL IN THE FUTURE AND ON SOME OTHER BOAT. WHEN THEY RETURN TO YOU, THEY WILL HAVE TALES TO TELL OF DARING DO BUT I WONDER HOW MUCH WILL THEY TELL OF THEIR OWN MOMENTS.

LAST NIGHT IN THEIR FIRST TRUE SOUTHERN OCEAN BLOW ..WHEN THE BREEZE GOT UP AS THEY SAY, AND TOMORROW EACH YACHT WILL HAVE TALES TO TELL. ON TIME AND TIDE IT WAS NO DIFFERENT, NO DISPENSATION FOR MOBILITY, DISABILITY OR EVEN ON THIS LEG RESTRICTED CREW NUMBERS.AS THE WEATHER DETERIORATED WE REDUCED SAIL TILL WE WERE SITTING COMFORTABLE IN GUSTS TOPPING 60KTS WITH DEEP REEFED MAIN STORM STAYSUL AND NUMBER 3. THEY CREW WERE EXHAUSTED THIS BEING THEIR LONGEST AND MOST POWERFUL STEADY BLOW. AS IT GREW TO ITS PEAK THE HUGE SEAS TOOK ADVANTAGHE OF THE LIMITED EXPERENCE OF OUR HELMS. LIMITED BEARING IN MIND THEY HAVE SAILED FURTHER THAN MOST YACHTSMEN WHO HAVE BEEN SAILING FOR TEN YEARS AND HAVE WEATHERED MORE GALES THAN THOSE SOME YACHTSMEN WOULD FACE IN TWENTY YEARS. BUT THIS RACE THIS HAS THE AMATEURS RACE TAG AND OH HOW WE ARE NEVER ALLOWED TO FORGET IT.

I WATCHED MY AMATEURS IN ACTION LAST NIGHT.ONE SAT IN THE LEEWARD SIDE OF THE COCKPIT UNTIL A LARGE WALL OF WATER FELL ON HIM.HE WENT OVER BACKWARDS INTO THE SCUPPERS WERE HE PROCEEDED TO SWIM LIKE A SALMON AGAINST THE STREAM AS HE WAS SWEPT TOWARD THE RAIL AND THE AWAITING SOUTHERN OCEAN.HE HAD TO COME PAST ME. IN THAT MICRO SECOND I WONDER IF I CAN LEAVE THE WHEEL TO GRAB HIM .COULD I HAVE HELD HIM. AND WHAT OF THE FATE OF THE OTHERS ON DECK LEFT EXPOSED TO THE NEXT BREAKING SEAWHILE THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE SPUN FREE. FORTUNATELY MY WAYWARD SALMON IS BROUGHT UP SHORT ON HIS SAFTY HARNESS AS A SECOND WAVE TRIES TO FINISH THE TASK OF THE FIRST.THE SALMON LIFTS HIMSELF OFF HIS BACK AND COUGHS AND VOMITS COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SEAWATER AND DRAGS HIMSELF BACK INTO THE COCKPIT ONLY TO TAKE ANOTHER WAVE DOWN HIS FRONT BUT HE DOESNT CARE AND I AM NO WISER AS TO WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE THE QUESTIONS RATTLE AROUND MY BRAIN UNANSWERED.IM IM ONLY GRATEFUL THAT HE HAS LISTENED TO ONE THING I HAVE SAID CLIP ON.

ITS ALREADY A PAST ISSUE. THE NEED IS TO CONCENTRATE ON THE THE NOW WHATS HAPPENING ON DECK. WHOSE WERE AND WHERE IS THE NEXT WAVE AND ITS ANGLE TO US.

THEY ARE TRYING TO SECURE THE MAIN DOWN. THATS SEVEN OF THEM. SALMONS PUKING IN THE COCKPIT. ANOTHER IS CHECKING THE LOWER LEEWARD AFT SHROUD. WE RISE UP A MASSIVE SEA AND PLUNGE DOWN INTO THE TROUGH TO SEE A WALL OF WHITE WATER BREAKING IN BOARD. I YELL A WARNING TO THE DECK. MY LAST FRAME OF FOCUSED VISION IS OF SHROUD CHECKER ON THE DECK TRYING TO REMOVE THE LEATHER ANTI-CHAFFE PROTECTION FROM THE BOTTLE-SCREW. MY WORLD GOES WHITE AND THE WIND IS KNOCKED FROM MY BODY. WATER FORCES ITS WAY DOWN MY OILSKINS UP MY NOSE AND DOWN MY THROAT. A TERRIFIC FORCE IS TRYING TO WRENCH ME FROM THE WHEEL. I FEEL A PANIC BUILD INSIDE. HOW MANY OF MY CREW ARE STILL ON DECK. AS THINGS CLEAR I LOOK TO WHERE I LAST SAW PEOPLE.. ONE..TWO.. THREE.. FOUR.. FOUR HAS MOVE SOMEWHAT AND IS GOING TO BE SORE IN THE MORNING AND SO IN A MATTER OF SECONDS I SWEEP THE DECK FOLLOWING THE DESTRUCTIVE PATH OF THAT WALL OF WATER.

THE RIG MAN.. WHERE IS HE.. THE SHROUD IS EMPTY THE LAST PICTURE IN MY MIND HAD HIM SQUATTING THERE.I TURN MY HEAD TO LEEWARD AND ASTERN SEARCHING FOR HIM IN THE WATER. IM YELLING HIS NAME TO THE REST OF THE DECK.. WHERE IS HE. NO ONE SEEMS TO RESPOND SHIT ITS HAPPENED.. IVE LOST A MAN OVERBOARD . IM STILL YELLING. SOMEWONE BY THE MAST POINTS DOWN AND THE FAMILIAR FACE GRINS UP FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MAST.

LATER I FIND MYSELF THINKING YOU LAST SAW THEM ON THE DOCK WHEN YOU KISSED THEM GOODBYE AND ENTRUSTED THEM INTO THE SKIPPERS CARE.IM NOT SURE BUT I DONT THINK THEY WILL BE THE SAME PERSONS I RETURN TO YOU.

FROM TIME AND TIDE
10-MAR-1997 08:13:40

IT APPEARS EVEN OUT HERE IN THE VAST EXPANCE OF THE SOUTHERN OCEANWEEK-ENDS HAPPEN TOO.

YOU SIGN UP TO GET AWAY ONLY TO DISCOVER THE HORRIBLE TRUTH THAT THEPRICE TO GET AWAY IS TO STAY IN TOUCH. IT REACHES SUCH A FLOW OFIMFORMATION THAT THE WEEKEND SUDDENLY BECOMES AS VITAL AND NECESSARYHERE ON THE YACHT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AS IT DOES FOR THOSE FOLKON LAND.

I FIND IT REMINECENT OF MY LONG BORING TIMES IN HOSPITAL. ALL WEEKLONG STUFF WAS HAPPENING. THERE WAS A REGULAR ROUTINE RUNNING REGULARPEOPLE. BUT AT WEEKENDS THE HOURS WOULD DRAG BY IT BECAME ALMOST ATIME TO REFLECT ON YOUR PAIN, GOD AND THE AWFUL SMELL OF A PATHETICATTEMPT AT A SUNDAY LUNCH. THE FIRST I WISHED WOULD GO AWAY. THESECOND, I THOUGHT IN THE DARKEST TIMES HAD GONE AWAY AND THE THIRD, IWISHED SOMEONE WOULD TAKE AWAY. IT WAS AS IF HEALING WAS PUT ON HOLDTILL MONDAY.

OUT HERE WE HAVE A BUSY WEEK A CONSTANT STREAM OF FAXES REQUESTING AWHOLE RANGE OF INFORMATION. THE ENQUIRIES COME IN FROM ALL SOURCESNEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, CHALLENGE BUSINESS, SPONSORS EVEN BANKMANAGERS, BUT COME SATURDAY MORNING THE FAX DIES. AND THE REALITY OFTHE ISOLATION STRIKES HOME AND THE BOREDOM NUMBS.

EVEN THE CHAT SHOWS THAT HAPPEN TWICE A DAY AT 0700 AND 1900 ZULUSEEM TO LOOSE THEIR EDGE. A REFLECTIVE MOOD SEEMS TO SET IN AND CREWSSEEM TO BECOME QUIETER AND NEED MORE COAXING TO DO SAIL CHANGES ANDTRIM THE YACHT. THERE ARE MORE REQUESTS FOR PHONE CALLS HOME AND LESSCHANCE OF GETTING THEM BECAUSE OF THE VOLUME OF RADIO TRAFFIC. TRYMONDAY NIGHT AND YOU CAN GET STRAIGHT THROUGH.

AS FOR SKIPPERS IM SURE WE ARE ALWAYS THIS DEEP ITS GOT NOTHING TO DOWITH SUNDAYS. THOUGH IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO LOOK UP AT THE END OFTHE RACE HOW YACHTS OVERALL PERFORMANCES VARIED AT WEEK ENDS COMPAREDWITH WEEK DAYS. HAVE A GOOD WEEK FROM TIME AND TIDE.BEST REGARDS JAMES

FROM TIME AND TIDE
8-MAR-1997 17:12:55

WHEN I FIRST JOINED UP WITH THE BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE THERE WAS THEILLUSION THAT I WAS BEING OFFERED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO.... I WASGOING TO WRITE, GET IN TOUCH WITH NATURE, BUT IF I TAKE THE LASTTWENTY FOUR HOURS, ITS LIKE BEEN GIVEN THE CHANCE OF STANDING ON THEGREAT PLAINS WATCHING A STAMPEDING HERD OF BUFFALOS CHARGING IN BLINDPANIC BUT BY SOME MAGIC ALL RUNNING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AND THE WAYI FEEL THEY ALL RAN RIGHT OVER THE TOP OF ME.

I THOUGHT I WAS A MAN OF THE WORLD BEEN THERE DONE THAT, A SEASONED TRAVELLER,I HAVE A PASSPORT THAT READS LIKE A THOMAS COOKES TOUR BROCHURE. BUT INALL MYTRAVELS I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROTECTED FROM THE HARSHER SIDE. HERETHERE IS NO ONE TO DRIVE YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT. NO ONE CLEANS MYCHURCHES SHOES EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE CLEARLY LEFT OUT SIDE MY ROOM.

AND ROOM SERVICE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL. ITS THREE THIRTY IN THE MORNINGANDAN ICY COLD WET HAND THAT PERTRUDES FROM INSIDE THE ARM OF SOME EVENWETTER AND COLDER OILSKINS HAS JUST WOKEN ME UP. ALFRED HITCHCOCK INHIS WILDEST NIGHTMARES COULD MOT HAVE CONCEIVED A MORE FRIGHTENINGPLOT. AND THE REALITY CHECK IS THAT HERE YOU CANNOT RUN AWAY FROM THISONE. THERES NO COUCH TO HIDE BEHIND, IT DOESNT MATTER HOW FAR YOU PULLTHE SLEEPING BAG OVER YOUR HEAD THE HAND OF THE COLD WET WATCH WILLGET YOU. SO I HEAR YOU ASKING WHAT IS THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY IVE BEENOFFERED?? WELL ITS MY TURN TO STAR AS THE HAND IN IN SOMEONE ELSESNIGHTMARE BEING SCREENED IN FOUR HOURS TIME. AND OH ITS GOING TO BE SOCOLD AND SO WET...!!

FROM TIME AND TIDE
4-MAR-1997 20:54:24

Second to being the skipper the most god awful job on board a BTChallenge yacht must be that of medic or doctor. They are nearlyalways tired wet and cold and yet are expected to show a calmreasurring and confident manner with excellent judgementcalls. Without the back up of xray equipment an A and E unit andcolleagues in the trade they must diagnose, treat and the giveencouraging advice. For example when I broke my hand at the Needlesjust after the start Lesley splinted it, told me to keep it dry andrest it.. in nautical terms she meant dont go on the fore deck.. whatself-respecting skipper does and could I please steer with the otherhand. Lesley also told me to elevate it. This did confuse me becauseshe went ballistic at me when I climbed the mast to do a rig check.

As the voyage has gone on, minor aches and pains fail to be reportedbecause the crew have toughened up.. apart from Nigel who went downwith a head-ache. Lesley asked if anything had brought it on. 'Learning'replied Nigel. Lesley thought of the poor reading lights above thebunks and the small print in the teach yourself books we have onboard.'Learning' said Nigel, 'learning not to be clipped to the boomespecially when it is accidently gybed!!' Laughable, it had Nigel institches.

Stresses and strains build as the sailing continues, putting extrapressure on skipper and crew alike until something has to give likeit did with poor Brendan on the Rio to Wellington passage. Duringrather a strong blow Brendan broke his one leg when he used it tocushion the fall of a fellow crew member. His leg was splinted and putinto traction via a cats cradle affair at the end of his bunk inwhich he was confined for sixteen days. Soon however the stress beganto tell for both the Skipper and Brendan. Poor Lesley was stuck in themiddle. On one hand the Skipper wanted to get Brendan to an evac pointas fast as possible. On this particular day James needed to tack theboat. While Brendan on the other hand had been closing his mind to thefact that after three days of bed rest he very badly needed the takea dump. No amount of pleading by brendan could sway Lesley to allowhim to used the heads. Finally Brendan called for the improvised bedpan and Lesley gingerly eased it under him and wedged him inposition.

As fate would have it this was the same time as James called for atack. Now the log shows that the tack was delayed on medical advice.Lesley advised James he could clean up the resulting mess as it wouldmean that Brendan would be air lifted off .. off the bed pan. PoorBrendan strained and the the stress was visable on the faces of theentire crew as they waited for the tack or in this case for the sh+tto hit the pan. Gathered like a group of expectant fathers outside adelivery room, there must be a collective noun for such a group, wehuddled in the cockpit till finally an outstretched arm from the portside two berth cabin gave us the thumbs up.

Just like Skippers the medic worries about getting it wrong. They arealways having to work with people who are complaining about somethinghowever unlike Skippers who at best would only think it..this beingone of the quailities Chay looks for in his leaders.. the medic doeshave the authority to give you a large pill and tell you in nouncertain terms where to stick it!!!

regards james

FROM TIME AND TIDE
3-MAR-1997 16:51:12

hope soon the seapukers will recover to giveus some more people for watches. with all the disabilities on boardits not legs we are short of but hands!!! my temper is non existent onthis trip then i realised i have no one on deck to shout at. paulsdown plus 4 pukers, paul b has elbow probs and cant winch or steer.must get some sleep just called tasmania tunisia inconversation with on watch, bi bi james

FROM TIME AND TIDE
3-MAR-1997 23:43:48

life on board begining to settle down but with only seven activeplayers its exceedingly tough work. throughout night the wind would easeand then return to such a strength that it madethe call to change from no1 to genoa a difficult one. with only fourpeople to do the change including the helm when the call finally cameit was inevitable that we would loose time if not a place. withcommercial union hot on my tail to port and the tempting proximity ofnuclear electric a mile ahead to stbd the call had to be made. sojust before dark we took 25mins to complete the change over.. andwatched nuclear disappear over our horizon and one can only guessrichard merriweather on union was saying ''cu later guys...'' still itis along way to cape town, only have to look at the charts to see that.i can only praise my crew for the way they are dealing with thehandicap of sailing with crew still down on top of the injury thatbefell our gallant bowman.. still only another week and the stitcheswill be out and he will be able to sit down again! The fourseapukers are gradually showing signs of recovery though theystill have a problem looking a bacon sandwich in the face. they should be recovered in time to see the last of the fresh meat though our bowman may not be so lucky. we the fit and hungery crewfeel that there is only so much bacon and other fresh delights left.

on the more tasteful side of life a friend of mine, a soon to bediscovered songwriter, might well have found a way to gether songs on everyones lips.. at least on this yacht. knowing howstarved we are for new music she smuggled on board one of her demotapes... the verdict from the captive listening crew is.. you go girlbut dont give up the day job just yet! maybe virgin or emi would liketo use us for similar market trials. and if they do get in touch ican let them listen to a song specially written for us about time andtide. maybe we could inspire a new musical after all we have had cats,chess - why not yachts?still cant hang about writting to you all day. regards james

FROM TIME AND TIDE
2-MAR-1997 15:11:00

excellent start day . perfect conditions. crew morale is high.we have been fortunate infinding new crew members to replace john rich who was ill, brendanwest who broke his leg and geoff the diabetic from nz who decided thesouthern ocean leg would be too demanding. so we have three newcrew, steve, grahme and clive who are still finding their way aroundthe yacht so its difficult to push as hard as we would like. some ofthe longer serving crew member feel we should be pushing harder butthe night is black, the rain heavy and altho we have NE to E windgusting up to 30 kts there remains a strong S to SE swell causing astrange motion. so tonight we shall have to satisfy ourselves withchasing the fleet south. the sky all around us is constantly beinglit up by the flashes of millions on volts of electricity whichmomentarily blind the helm.

as for those members of the crew who wish to complain they can moanto their watch leaders not that it will do much good.. carolyn andpaul are both deaf....

best regards james

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