Cleone - CLEONE Leg 22 Day 9 - Stress - Advice for Ministers

Sailor Gordon - how would he fare on Cleone?

 

It's the bitten fingernails that give most cause for concern.  He is obviously permanently worried.  It's the Pound, it's Iraq, it's Afghanistan, it's the EU, it's the French (St Helena's still got plenty of space for a new nick, Gordy), it's the Americans (will Dubya like him as much as Tony?), it's Drugs (why do we have to pay so much), it's Law and Order, it's the Price of Petrol, it's the Polls, it's an Election.  But if he allows these things to get him down so much, what on earth would he be like on board Cleone?  Take yesterday; the sun shone all day - next thing we've a sunburn epidemic.  We've eaten fish for 3 days - should we put the line out today?  We are only making 4 knots - should we use the engine?  And what about trying the spinnaker again - who wants another wrap?  And how are we doing vis-a-vis the other yachts?  Will there be a space to anchor in St Helena (and unlike some of the other boats, we do have enough chain)?  Anyway, you get the picture; these are the big issues of the day.  And none of Gordy's worries touch us out here, we've (literally) got real fish to fry.  The Skipper says (and the crew all agree):  Get up the sharp end, Gordy, get on the foredeck, breath the wind and feel it on your cheek, take some rays, see the stars, chat to your mates on the radio occasionally, and only if you want to.  Or follow Baloo's advice; Chill out in my Back-Yard, ie on Cleone's aft deck, with a beer and a chat with the boys.  Go on as you are, Gordy, chances are you aint going to last as long as Ted Heath.  And he knew how to sail alright.

 

Apart from that, all is well.  It was a very quiet day indeed yesterday, and we did not even make 120 miles.  Bruce is not promising much more wind today or tomorrow.  But who cares?  The beer is still cold, the sea sparkles and it's not yet too hot, even at mid-day.  There's less than 520 miles to go to St Helena, and whilst it will be great to get there, it's been a wonderful trip so far

 

All well on board, and best wishes from