 Find one spanking new plane and fly 20 hours to arrive a confusing 2 days later. |
When I got off I wasn't quite sure I'd landed in the right Sydney. London was sunny when I left and this place was rather wet! |
Arriving at 8pm we went straight to the team apartments where the people we intended to meet weren't there, so knocked on the door of some other unsuspecting team members. Turns out that the peeps we were intending to meet had been waiting at the airport for us as a surprise... the fact they were holding a 6 foot banner saying "Team Stelmar" did not mean we saw them. So, 3 hours into the country and already the leggers had alienated 2 of the crew! I'm still SORRY Paula and Flash - appreciated the thought though!! :) |
Next morning (it stopped raining!) and after a very frustrating taxi ride (London cabbies really are the best in the world!!) we arrived at the rather lovely Darling Harbour. |
Sitting there in all it's glory we got the first glimpse of home for the next 6 weeks - the yacht known as Challenge43. |
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After a few "hellos" the boat was due for a corporate day, but as the numbers didn't work (insurance purposes) so Sarah and I had to remain on land as it went out for the day. |
Looked damn fine as it went out though - and in fact this was the only time in 2 months I ever saw it sail from this view!! |
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The rest of the boats all looked pretty amazing and the fleet was quite a sight together. |
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Without the boat the only job we had for the day was packing a repaired kite.. |
We appreciated the sun though! :) |
We had more of a look around Darling Harbour... |
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 Went off to seek out the rather nice apartment that Stelmar had generously provided us with... |
It was rather nice and had all the essentials... |
...which included quite a view!
 Night fell and off we went for some drinking. Darling harbour is just as impressive at night! |
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 They're really into their rather cool fountains |
 Including this one that played tricks with your eyes! |
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 Next day and a few extra bits on the boat |
 Skipper's breifing |
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 Off to get fuel... |
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I never thought I'd ever have a picture like this! :) |
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 Off for a Team-Building day |
 To a rather amazing Marina... |
 .. to say it was "rather nice" was an understatement! |
 We went to have a look around... |
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Impressive, but try doing the Southern Ocean the wrong way in this! :) |
This was more of a formal session where we got to know the crew a bit more. Very interesting how many different walks of life the crew came from. I don't think there is an "average" background for a Challenge crew member! |
 Clive (Skipper) and Nicko (navigator / 1st mate / general very guru on everything sailing!) show where we're going, and in particular all the other races we're to look out for on the day! |
And after, a bit of "rounders with a rugby ball and baseball bat and vague rules" game. Lots of fun :)
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 In the evening it was the prize-giving night at the gorgeous, impressive building that contained Star City Casino |
 We all lined up for a fleet photo-shoot |
 And then again for just a team shot |
Inside was quite nice, and the unlimited supply of Champagne and canapés went down very well :) |
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 Myself, Helen and James - we'd all been on the same training sail together back in Southampton. |
 Ade - another legger from one of the training sails I was on. Ade was put here by his company RMC, beating a large number of people to get selected.. he was "quite happy" :) |
 Sue was enjoying the Champagne, served up by an extra from a James Bond movie as you can see here! :) |
Talking of James Bond and Martini's! |
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The views were great! |
 The prize giving speeches. Some of the prizes were great... |
...BP prize for safety going to BP, the Clinton cards prize for funny logs going to Me To You (related card company), the Sony prize for best picture taken going to VAIO... |
... after Sony gave away a camera as their prize I was hoping Stelmar was going to come up with a fee oil tanker which of course we'd be winning.. but no! :) |
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 Prize giving over and it was on to more drinking and stilly dancing |
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 Paula helped serve.. it was funny to start, but 4 hours later the joke was wearing thin! :) |
 The Stelmar table! |
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You can see the look on Sarah's face as Chay tells her just how wet, cold and exhausted she's going to be! :) |
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The Barclays team - do you think I stood out in this picture? :) |
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Less people on the dance floor indicated people were on the move.... |
... to the pub! Turns out a flash Casino / hotel is a little too posh for the challenge fleet of hardened drinkers who just wanted a pint! Brits abroad... :) |
 Newton led the posse of 216 sailors.... "first round's on me" he shouted much to everyone's delight! |
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To this day Paula denies having too much, adamant that she had "just the one" :) |
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Rumours that the skip never drunk were looking more and more suspect! |
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The girls (and Ade) were holding up a little better than Nigel. Nigel likes his beer :) |
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 I suspect this is a lot of the reason as to why the crew were still there at 4 in the morning! GO STELMAR!! |
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| The following morning all our heads hurt, but we did see a bit of the harbour... |
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 Of course one has to show some locals around! |
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 Who then showed me around... |
 .. this was Bondi beach - and it's the only touristy thing I did in Aus! Thanks for that, or I wouldn't have seen a thing!! :) |
| In the evening we were all treated to a genuine Aussie BBQ by Nicko's parents (thank you very much!) |
Amazingly (for London anyway) the public transport got us there in a flash, with quite a view as it went over Sydney harbour bridge. |
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 During the evening we watched a rather good DVD of pictures and video that had been prepared. Very fab! |
 Mr. Scott thought the reserved leather seat with his name on was "adequate for the time being" :) |
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 Class rules say all boats have to carry a token Dutchman, and this is ours, Rob |
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Play a didgeridoo? That sounds easy.... |
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 Nope... :) |
 Rich played Kate's head rather well though! |
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The next day was Race day... |
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 All was quiet in the harbour |
 Stelmar was sitting quietly - for the last time for quite a while! |
 One last cooked breakfast for the team |
 Onto the National Maritime Museum for the briefing |
 Chay reminded us that he was a "famous round the world yachtsman". It's important that we didn't forget! |
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 He then helpfully told us the way to go... out of the harbour, turn right. When you can't see land any more, turn right again. Easy - how could we go wrong?! :) |
 Once outside, things started hotting up |
 The race was drawing quite a crowd of people who'd come to see the fleet off |
 The local radio was there asking Nigel if it was true that he'd managed to drink enough on Friday night to remain drunk for the whole 6 weeks. Unfortunately the interview wasn't very successful as Nigel only wanted to know where the interviewer got that shirt and if they had any more. |
 VAIO gave nothing away about their secret plan to sail to Cape Town via Madagascar (well, they don't like the cold)! |
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 Helen comments on Catrina's team influenced hair colouring! |
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 Chay does a media interview; "famous... round.... the... world... yachtsman. You've got that? Good" :) |
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 Clive - our skipper and hero... not quite looking his best in this shot! :) |
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 Pindar - with the Skipper's brother Nigel on. A boat we'd have to beat :) |
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Now you know those wacky glasses are going to leave very silly sun-tan marks don't you... |
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 The Nicko fan club! |
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 Team huddle - we agreed to be safe, remain happy and be very very fast! :) |
 The blessing of the fleet was a very moving moment. The first reality check on what we were about to embark upon... |
 Each of the boats went out one by one, to their team song |
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 It was a great place to be. A real atmosphere with excitement, apprehension and huge amounts of support and encouragement. |
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 Our turn, and as we pulled away from the pontoon it was strange feeling to think that it'd be 6 weeks before we set foot on land again. |
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