Leg 1 started at Southend Pier in the Thames Estuary. It is quite a historic place (I looked it up in Wikipedia) if you need some educational moments. The day was gray, misty and cold. The mooring we were supposed to hook onto when we arrived at 10pmish had not been there, so all the boats were rafted up side by side in a few rows at a dock.
Finally Leaving London
Whew, thought we would never get away!
Finally met my Niece July’s friend Dana who is doing 7 of the 8 legs and is on Visit Seattle!
Dana and me
Talking with Tom (Telemed Sponsor Rep) and whipping (making doughnuts) with Ryan.
All the things that I am learning!
So the beginning of the race is a big ceremony with entertainment, teams entering a podium with their song playing. And ours is “THE Best Day of My Life” by American Authors.
So for entertainment, drummers in the spreaders!
check the masts out!
And check out our drummer!
Only disappointment was that he would not let me show him how to stand on his head and play
A bit of their performance once I get set up on YouTube!
Our team nervously waiting for our turn to go.
Mike and Chris looking like pros ready to go!
Ready and waiting!!!
On the podium after getting to tell the Audience what I did to get in shape for the race.
Never again will I tell what I am doing!! Now I have an interview with ESPN tomorrow!
Interesting watching the boats leave in the tiny space.
Good thing the little rib is there to help push the boats around! This actually looked like it might be a bow sprite (the pointy thing at the front of the boat that sticks out) kiss but luckily not.
And now an empty area until we return on July 30, 2016!
Looks a bit sad!
The parade on the Thames has begun!
Looking pretty good! Practice makes perfect!
And there are people lined up along the water’s edge watching this happy parade!
Unbelievable
Under the Tower Bridge!
A bit of Unique architecture along the way.
The Shard!
City Hall
What a Parade!
Last time through. Oh, we did journey up to London Bridge and then we turned around to head down the Thames. And London Bridge did not fall down even if the song said it did. It is still standing.
And the Tower Bridge closes and now the race is only hours away!
Spectator boats lined the shores also carrying family, friends and just people wondering what was going on! Great to be able to wave to friends that I have met along the way as they wished us safe journey!!
Passing Greenwich and getting a close fix on our navstation.
Check out bottom right hand corner for longtitude and latitude. Tells exactly where we are. all the red mess on the screen is all the boats and where they are. this is the screen we look at and figure what’s happening when we have Nav duty! Just missed the all 0s by .001!
So tomorrow we will FINALLY hear about the first leg.
At South End Pier with Sir Robin Knox wishing each boat skipper well as he sends the boats to the start line.
Almost out of London
So, to continue. Life at St. Kat’s docks was always fun and one never knew what would come next! Whether it was work on the boat, standing at the gate waiting to be let in or out as we only had a couple of fobs to use to get in and out, or waiting in the long line for showers/toilets. You thought I just liked getting up early? Actually discovered a great reason to get going early! Early riser got the showers without waiting!
Spent some time with friend/crew mate Judith from London.
Had to get a picture of this. On the way to Judith’s and she was beginning to think that there are no rainbows in Texas since I stopped in middle of street and took a picture.
Not sure why but I was fascinated by this rainbow!
As payback we ate at a favorite place of hers. Actually I think she was trying to impress me about the history of pubs in England!
Do we have anything in the states that can beat that date??
The extra bags at her feet are my London leavings so I could pass weight on bag to go (25 Kilos).
Now an interesting video to watch. Moving the boats in St. Kat’s Dock. This happened daily with some boat or other. This is one of about 4 moves that we had to make. I am afraid that I need to contact Doug to see how to get this one on. It maybe too much for the program to handle.
For now, see how close they are, the little rib in the back right nosing it around and in general a possible close encounter.
So til then, Some of the fun things we got to do while waiting to start the race.
Alex and Doug in grinding contest
Linda taping all split pins in the shrouds inner part to avoid catching on sail damage
had a little help from my friends! working on reefing lines! THANKS!
For all my percussion friends, do you think this is what xylophones were made of at one time? Or the owner played one?
really looks indestructible!
hmmmm?
And Crew party last night in London!
crew mates Jen, Judith, Regina, Nigel
And would you believe, there is an Aggie Round the Worlder sailing on UNICEF. Meet Drake!
Meet my Aggie Friend DRAKE! Class of ’14! and like a true Aggie, he proposed to his girlfriend prior to leaving on this trip and plans for wedding are…. next fall on hopefully an open weekend for football!
Great guy from Houston and Is now growing a beard and looking real authentic!
So you will be anxious for next update…the ceremony out of London, check this out you band friends and especially percussionists!
Check out the other masts!
Back tomorrow!
Okay world, I am back! And in Rio!
First, a big thanks to Doug Kern for keeping everyone informed of what was happening during the race!!
Now, let’s see if I can finish up London pretty quickly.
And add some exciting stories about the trip!
So, I really had a great time being able to visit with Anais and Christina. The last Sunday I was there, Anais and husband Alistair and I went to the National Gallery to see an exhibit called Sound scales. It was really neat as it put together musicians making music as they saw a painting. Provided me a whole new perspective about viewing art.
After that, Anais and I went back to the docks and she viewed the Queen’s yacht.
Pretty interesting boat. Oars and all.
Next, Anais got to do a bit of work for me. Between she and Doug, I finished up one project which is still looking good!
Learning a bit of splicing for end of Halyards (lines that hoist up the sails).
Crew mate Doug and Anais made my work disappear!
Getting to spend time with Christina and Anais was a definite highlight of the trip. Catching up on what they were now doing was great fun!
FUN
Later some of the crew mates shared dinner in a pretty good Pizza place right by the boat. I did not break their hearts by telling them I had already had pizza with Anais and Alistair.
Doug, Ryan, Jamieson (NBC reporter doing the story on us), Skipper Diane, Chris, Elaine and a few more not seen!
I know that many of you refuse to believe that I really worked on the blog while at St, Kat’s. Well, here is proof!
6am in the morning at Starbucks.
Outside of Starbucks after close with Hal and Doug!
A bit for NBC and a little TEAM building:
Having fun with my famous upper body training. (Hint: never tell anyone what off the wall thing that you might be doing.)
Han , my South Korean crew mate in actions! He is very strong!!!
Closing for this portion so I don’t hit the wrong button and lose it!! More after supper!
Day 27: Nearing Rio
Linda’s ClipperTelemed team is tacking down the east coast of Brazil, neck-and-neck with Visit Seattle, 547 miles from the leg one finish line in Rio. The team is on track to finish on Wed Sep 30 given current pace. Continue reading
Day 9: Through the Canaries
It’s Day 9 on the way from London to Rio, with the fleet hugging the African coast for better breeze and current, passing through the Canaries and into the Doldrums. The teams found some great downwind breeze mid week, with gusts over 40 knots, sustained winds overnight of 30-35 knots and 20 knots boat speed surfing. This was followed by some light air as teams split the route around the Canaries. The fleet should arrive in Rio in about three weeks, around September 30th.
Here are highlights so far. Follow Linda’s ClipperTelemed+ team on the live Race Viewer and check out the daily team diaries. Continue reading
Bon Yoyage! Off to Rio.
[While Linda is off the grid, I’ll be making a few updates. — Doug]
The Clipper Race fleet officially began their 40K mile journey today, with the 12 teams headed to Rio. After the downwind start on the Thames east of London, the teams turned the corner and sailed southwest through the Channel in 12 knots of breeze and flat seas. The 5,186 mile trip south through the Doldrums to Rio should take around 30 days, putting the fleet into port around September 30. Track the race on the Race Viewer.
And yes, in addition to being an inspiring person, Linda is also a TV star – check out the feature on NBC, also shown on The Today Show (many thanks to NBC’s Jamieson Lesko – @JamiesonNBC). Continue reading
Bad news
OK, computer issues and with one swift move, I just lost the post that I had done. To explain all. Charger on Surface with all pics no longer wants to work. Computer is being sent home to get fixed so will greet you in Rio with new adventures. Until then have fun and remember to donate!!!
TEAMability in San Antonio is working to raise $10 per mile to beat us to RIO. That means they need your support and help to raise $59,980 to beat us there. Soooo, go to the donate page and help them out!!!! Make a difference in a severely disabled child now! Continue reading
London I am here!
Well now that you have followed the journey here I will tell you what I have been up to. Since I have been to London several times I have not been to some of the usual local sites to check out. Being here at St. Katherine’s Docks has been great as we are right by the Tower of London and the Tower bridge.
Here we are at sundial right by docks 1st night. Tower Bridge in background and Jen up front.
One day I will learn to take selfies. Just give me time to come into the present generation. Continue reading
Pics you might enjoy from trip up to London
This is a bit more of my adventure on the upper part of the boat.
Just hanging on and taping where chafe line (a covering so that the line will not wear through) should go.
Doing a bit of holding on and down to next possible chafe point
Journey of a Lifetime 