Race 13 - Pre-race
Crew Diary - Derry-Londonderry to Liverpool
21 July
Race 13....The Journey Home
Let me talk about Derry Londonderry first before I get all soppy and mention the final race.
After our trials and adventure on the first part of this leg 8 we were all looking forward to a great stop over. Wow Derry did not disappoint. They laid on a festive treat for us!!!
We arrived in the afternoon to be greeted by Mayor John and all the Clipper Race bunch, (also beer).
Everyday seemed something was going on. I even got my old football boots out one day to represent Clipper FC against a very, very strong Derry FC (ok their coaches). I decided to bribe our manager to let me play in goal but still managed to bruise my ribs and pull a hamstring in first five minutes. Then my back played up as I had to pick the ball out of the net 5 times. Nanooo showed us his silky Uruguayan skills (let's see who I can kick) and Novak(DTL) scored a superb penalty.
Derry FC 5 vs Clipper Allstars 1.....next time Derry eh!!!. ..
I had better success in a pre Ryder cup match against Big Roy (he from Boston USA) at Roe Park Golf Club. The course was great and they looked after us brilliantly.After all the pre match banter or slanging match more like Frettsie manged to Duff up the big Thomas Tank...some say he needs a cushion to sit on everywhere now!!!
We had a great night at our adopted restaurant. The Soda and Starch staff did not stop bringing us free beer..wine and food..now that my kinda restaurant!!! Thanks guys...
Unicef put on a great quiz-night..very funny and it was won by the 1080 media team who just happened to have a few Pinkies on it!! (Red,Carrie Roy and JP)
The Guinness flowed a lot in this town and I always found the pavements to be very uneven late at night.
I going to let others talk about the journey home as I have no tissues with me when I blub, For me this has been one crazy adventure and I would like to thank all the guys and girls I have sailed with for getting me through it!! Lance our skipper has been a Top bloke even when he shouts at us(not often but needed).
My other BIG thanks goes to Fay, Abbie and Sis for the massive support you have given me.
If your still awake then goodbye everyone for the last time in this Clipper World....
Father Fretts is no more... im going back to being a Jonathan in this world.
xxxxxx