A year ago today, Leg 6 of the 2017-2018 Clipper Round The World Yacht race left Qingdao, China, for Seattle, USA, to cross the mighty North Pacific. So, time for another “this time next year post although for 2020 I think I will be joining in Zhuhai and racing, fist, to Qingdao, and then across the Mighty Pacific to, at least for the moment, I know not where …….
Now a bell ringing, bee keeping businessman (not always in that order) Keith has limited yachting experience but considerable sea-going experience having served afloat for the majority of his 34 years service in the Royal Navy. This included serving in every class of warship from minesweeper to aircraft carrier, commanding 4 different ships (a minesweeper, two destroyers and an amphibious command ship) and commanding all UK maritime forces in the Middle East for a 2 year period. Concurrently he was the Deputy Coalition Commander of a multi-national force of over 115 warships drawn from 22 different countries. For him the challenge and excitement of being part of the Clipper Round The World Race team has proved irresistible, in particular taking on the four big west-east ocean crossings and the chance to sail across oceans and seas he has yet to experience.
View all posts by keithwinstanley
Published
One thought on “55. This time next year. Leg 6, Race 9. A Four Video North Pacific taster”
Keith, In Sir Robin’s words, you are among the men, while I will remain among the mice. It occurs to me that unless one has experienced a relentless and difficult voluntary challenge in some way … then the measure and magnitude of what you are undertaking cannot be fully, or sufficiently, appreciated. Uncharacteristically for me, I am short of words to say what I’m thinking, so I borrow these from Victoria Elizabeth Hughes …
—————————
The Ocean
Upon the crest of a wave I see
hidden memories held within.
New ones created, from every bough
on every ship, that travels bound
for some new pasture.
Such hope and yet such loss,
is the ocean’s promise.
It’s force men think can be tamed.
Yet that is what the ocean
wants you to believe.
It can bite and snap,
or it can be calm and cool.
A million promises made,
and broken upon it’s shores.
A billion memories made
and broken, lying on it’s floors.
The ocean is nature’s untameable force.
———————-
For those who’ve learned and lived to tame the untameable force …..
Pretty Much All At Sea 
Keith, In Sir Robin’s words, you are among the men, while I will remain among the mice. It occurs to me that unless one has experienced a relentless and difficult voluntary challenge in some way … then the measure and magnitude of what you are undertaking cannot be fully, or sufficiently, appreciated. Uncharacteristically for me, I am short of words to say what I’m thinking, so I borrow these from Victoria Elizabeth Hughes …
—————————
The Ocean
Upon the crest of a wave I see
hidden memories held within.
New ones created, from every bough
on every ship, that travels bound
for some new pasture.
Such hope and yet such loss,
is the ocean’s promise.
It’s force men think can be tamed.
Yet that is what the ocean
wants you to believe.
It can bite and snap,
or it can be calm and cool.
A million promises made,
and broken upon it’s shores.
A billion memories made
and broken, lying on it’s floors.
The ocean is nature’s untameable force.
———————-
For those who’ve learned and lived to tame the untameable force …..
LikeLike