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Diary of a Clipper Racer
Around the world in 333 days with Mark Osgood
Supporting my chosen charity - "Dreams Come True"
Final Diary entry, 54, added Monday 6th October 2003.
Diary of a Clipper Racer Around the world in 333 days with Mark Osgood Supporting my chosen charity - "Dreams Come True" Final Diary entry, 54, added Monday 6th October 2003. |
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Latest Diary News 27
- Shanghai - nearly Ross' kitchen We have a new star in the galley, our very own Jamie Oliver.
Despite heavy conditions, Ross has managed to produce the following:- A selection of breads, including an amazing cranberry and raison bread. Home-made crab-cakes with salsa and cucumber, immaculately served on a bed
of Cranberry sponge and custard. Wonderful Fajitas with all the Mexican trimmings. Fruit crumble and custard To name but a few. There is a
waiting list of crewmembers to assist him on mother, to bask in the glow of the
genius - although they must enjoy washing up.
Ross is waiting for the call from Sainsbury's for their next round of
commercials. Chinese St Patrick's Day As we approached the Chinese coast, we woke up to find that the sea had
gone green. The deep blue of the
Pacific Ocean had disappeared overnight. Didn't realise that the residents of
China celebrated St Patrick's Day by colouring their sea green. The other big change as we approached the Chinese coast was the huge
number of fishing boats and fishing pots. This
after 7 weeks in the Pacific when to see another ship was a once a week event.
It became like the old computer game, Hedgehog, where a hedgehog has to
get across 4 or 5 lane motorways without getting squashed - we just had to avoid
nets, boats and Chinese fishermen. Simon
nearly picked up a buoy as a souvenir but we told him not to. Shanghai - nearly The crew of the good ship London are all very disappointed not to be
making it to Shanghai, especially those of us who have family or friends waiting
for us there. It is also very
difficult to mentally re-adjust to the fact that the shower that was only hours
away is now not going to happen for another week and a comfortable and dry bed
is equally far away. We are making do though. Lots
of catching up with diaries, both personal and this one, big clean-up and
dry-out of the boat, running repairs and a little bit of R&R.
Alcohol has been in short supply but the waving of US dollars and miming
taking a drink from a large cup has resulted in some local enterprising boatman
making a mint in ferrying bottles of beer to us - it tastes wonderful as well!
Other drinks that have been developed are Gin and Tang - Tang being our
powdered lemon drink - Vodka and Tang, Amaretto and Tang, Sake and Tang, Tang
and Tang. Tang is the common
element really. Attempts are being made to extend Ross' repertoire in the galley to
include homebrew. Music and madness Whatever madness is going on up on deck, and believe me, we have had some
madness, it is always accompanied to some music. Here is a brief selection of the types of music that we
listen to:- James Bond Live and Let Die Theme - steering failure Frank Sinatra,
New York, New York - coming into Yokohama and Shanghai Elvis Presley, A Little less conversation -passage through a fishing fleet Lounge music - Force 11 gale Nirvana, Smells like teen spirit - When the showers failed. Techno - windseeker Iron Maiden, Can I play with madness - Poled out number 1 with 60 knots of
wind Guns and Roses - windhole Nina Simone - Three Reefs and the Yankee 3 Bryan Adams - never Martine's boutique Whilst we have been anchored outside Shanghai, we have been tied up alongside Liverpool, which has been very sociable (although two video recorders and three car stereos have gone missing). Apart from the social angle, we have also had the benefit of Martine's boutique, Liverpool's resident barber/hair stylist. So far, the only taker has been Ossie who has gone for the obligatory No 2. Simon has been considering a short back and sides, as has Foxy and Rory but no takers yet. Martine's boutique can be recommended to all Clipper crew as a fast, efficient service - as long as you only want a number 1, 2, 3 or 4 - but make sure she has the correct setting as Shephardo from Liverpool can testify.
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