Message From Ian Deas

i am writing this blog on the boats email system which does not have a spell-check so I aoplogise in advance for any spelling errors. I am also not able to post any photos so this will have to wait until we reach Salvador which is about 3,400 miles away. Check Clippers website under Durban crew as we posted a blog there that included a photo of me on deck whist we were surfing down some rather rough seas.

We had a rousing send off from Liverpool with thousands of people lining Albert Dock and the banks of the Mersey River. As predicted the winds picked up for our start and if anyone followed our web-ste you will notice that we were first across the start line. Unfortunately we were 5th across the finish line on the first mini-leg to La Rochelle. Actually were were very pleased with our finish as we had sailed conservatively through some high winds and rough seas in order to preserve our sails for the marathon ahead.
La Rochelle is a very pretty medieval town that is the sailing capital of France. We thoroughly enjoyed the French food and wine during our 3 day stop. We are now somewhere off Portugal with the wind at our backs and making some decent speed. The system has just informed me that I am restricted to the length of each message so expect my blog to be about this length.

Ian

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