Crew Chat 11  ~  Not Long Now

7^th July 2002

Party Time

Well done to Alistair and Simon on arranging a CD player for the race.  I suggest that we all bring a favourite album along, which should mean we have a suitable selection.

I am sure they will update us on the party theme during this week, thus enabling us to give consideration to any items we may wish to take.

Brest Events

Last week I sent you all a provisional events list.  On the Monday we will arrive early in the morning and at 10:00 you have the choice of a sightseeing tour or crew sports (assuming no major work to be done on Ingotism).  If you are interested in either of these events it would be best if you could all let me know preferences and I will send a message to leg one, so they can put names down.

Water Conservation

As mentioned on our training weekends conservation of water during our crossing is very important. 

270 litre main tank, will be used for tea, coffee, soup, cooking (when salt water not wanted).  All washing up to be done in salt water, then a final rinse in a couple of inches of fresh water.

Bottled Water will be carried for drinking.  We will need to be careful, based on a six day race we will take about 120L in 2L bottles.  We will track the usage of this and if the race appears to be taking longer than six days, we will tighten the consumption.

Washing, the boats showers will not be used during the race.  I strongly recommend the use of baby wipes to freshen up, otherwise the Spanish will smell us coming and not let us in.  But remember; do not flush them down the heads.

Crew Kit

For those of you that have not heard, we had a bit of a disaster with the crew shirts.  The shop got firebombed, I personally would like to spit roast (slowly) the little vandals.

The good news is the polo shirts have arrived and I am rather pleased with the look of them.  Due to late arrival, I propose that I bring them all to Plymouth rather than trust Royal Mail.

Leg one has had to go without their rugby shirts and will receive them when they get back.  At the moment it appears the same is likely to happen to us, although I have not given up hope.  I therefore suggest you work on the premise that the rugby won’t arrive when deciding what to pack.

For those who have not ordered a polo shirt (Ken & William) if you wish, I believe I can probably get a couple of extras embroidered on the hurry up (please contact me ASAP if you do).  This would then mean we all have something.  The rugby shirts will then be sent to you as soon as we get back (maybe even arrange to get them at Heathrow – so we can at least have a clean shirt to arrive home in).

Sorry about all this, but I am sure you will all agree it is not exactly something I could have taken into account when we placed the order way back in April.

Sail Trimming

As a reminder for those new to sailing, I have drafted a very rough guide to sail trimming, please click here.

Travel Time

OUTBOUND        Depart Plymouth 23:30 (QX65450), we should assemble about 21:00.

                              Brittany Ferries Continental Terminal, Millbay Dock, Plymouth.

RETURN               Heathrow approx 05:30, sorry no flight numbers currently available.

To ensure we all find each other please have my number with you (07768 217847).

Phoning Home

	From France      00 44       (and omit the 0 from UK area code)
	From Spain        07 44       (and omit the 0 from UK area code)

Next of Kin

I will be sending the Sailing Club the next of kin list as used for the training weekends.  If anybody wishes to add to, or change details you previously sent me, I need to receive them by email by Wednesday 10^th.

If there is anything I have forgotten or if you just want to talk, phone me….

David Thompson

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