The Adventure Begins.

The adventure begins.......

Or does it? In someways it's the end of the adventure - or the start of the end. 

Four years ago, Ali and I went to Ocean Village in Southampton, to see the start of this strange thing called Clipper Round The World - the Race of Your Life. The bizarre concept of members of the public, or MOPs, racing large ocean going yachts around the world!

Ali had done some sailing before, as a teenager. Her dad was (and is?) a keen sailor while in the army. (No mixed metaphors there!)   

 To cut a long story short, that was the day Ali decided to take part in Clipper Round the World. This blog is not the story of the four years leading up to this moment. It's the story, looking forward. Of race start weekend and the rest of the 15/16 race. 

We made some incredible friends in those four years. And we've have some really high highs and some really low lows! (I am that Clipper Widower!) - the story of which is told on our Facebook pages. 

So, what of this weekend? All the boats leave St.Katherine's Dock, in London, on Sunday. Fanfares, tears and hugs from all us friends and families. It's going to be messy. 

Then on Monday, it's Race Start proper, in the Thames estuary, off Southend. 

So, today is about spending some time together and scouting for somewhere to eat tomorrow night.