As team Grey Power awoke on this rainy Sunday morning, we received an email from our RYS partner Zephyr making potentially libellous accusation of the tidiness of our leader’s beard. Legal advisers are currently considering how to respond to their statement : “Zephyr has today partnered with Grey Power as a two boat team. You probably haven't heard of their skipper(!) who was the first sailor to single handedly circumnavigate the globe non-stop. He has an exceptionally shaggy beard, generates his own thundering wind and is the most crusty of all salty sea-dogs.” On the other hand we might just have to show them the “bird" as instructed by the Race Committee given that this is a family friendly event!
We might forgive them
over the coming weeks if the promise of cold beers on arrival live up to
expectations! Good win Zephyr - we hope you have a safe and fast crossing. They
started today!
On a more positive note, Saturday was spent taking Grey Power out for
a sail to stretch her legs.
We are not sure what these two below were talking about but at least
we now have one member of the team with experience of helming the boat. None of
the other 4 have! You can also notice who forms part of the workers and who is
management by the various positions and hands in pocket.
The race will be the first ocean crossing by David Aisher, erstwhile
Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Our skipper is wondering whether the
club is correctly named in view of the fact that most members appear to go
Coastal rather than Ocean racing!
Whilst out sailing, we performed final checks on the medical kit and
also performed our sea trials of the newly reconfigured water maker. All good on
both fronts.
Our sail was followed by a leisurely afternoon awaiting the arrival
of Bernard - our last team member. We welcomed him to 525 Thames Street over a
few glasses of wine, a weather forecast review and then headed out for a Thai
meal
This Sunday morning, on instructions from our onshore nutritionist,
we decided to skip the american dinner for breakfast and instead had a light
breakfast of toast and cheese with copious coffee!
We then proceeded to check the propeller of Grey Power in order to
ensure that all was ok underneath the water. Our Indian Navy expert did the
honours by trying the very cold water of Newport.
Thanks to Sean Kilbride from the NYYC staff who very kindly lent us
his wet suit. Dilip really appreciated this. The good news is all is ok under
the water to we returned ashore to put him under a very warm shower. We must say
the welcome by all (members and staff) at NYYC is exceptional and we really
appreciate it! THANK YOU!
As the team is now complete, we decided to pose for the official team
photo outside the NYYC in our pristine Henry Lloyd team shirts. (Thanks go to
Henry Lloyd for the great kit!)
We then under the instructions of
Andy Green assembled for a Tiffin of the Imperial Poona Yacht Club. The
members wore the regulation uniform as evidenced below
We then proceed to the christening of Dolphin, a J22 offered to Sail
Newport organised by Robin Wallace. The other Robin was asked to christen
Dolphin in front of the assembled crowd. (See video below)
During an excellent curry lunch at No 10 (NYYC), one of the member very kindly
ordered from amazon an Italian coffee maker on express delivery thereby ensuring
the team would have access to fresh bean Italian coffee for the crossing.
Something we are all delighted with. Next stop - Starbucks for some wonderful
blends. Apologies for not capturing your name but you know who you are and we
are VERY appreciative of the gesture!
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