Two in one day, both before I left for Subic Bay the first time. I was off to dinner with some pals and forgot that they were also going away. There’s a lovely looking old fashioned florist (Van Twisk) opposite the flat (see header) so I went there to get a bunch of flowers. I got chatting whilst he made up the bouquet. It turned out that he had a pal visiting half an hour later who not only lives in Somerset close to us, but also did some Clipper legs a few races back. Needless to say, we were introduced to him last year when JD signed up to go.
Then, that evening, at my pals’ house. As they were not going to be home they handed the flowers to their daughter-in-law who was over that evening. We got chatting and it turned out that she attended All Hallows, George’s prep school, in Somerset a few years before he was there. It’s quite a small school so meeting another alumnus is not that common.
And in other news: JD crew diary https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/crew-diary/unicef/1196
I’m now about to leave for the Philippines again, not only are OBB running first and second still (but watch out for wind holes) but they also appear to have nabbed first and second place at BOTH scoring gates! I said it couldn’t be done as the race would be so close there would be no time to dodge from one to the other. Shows what an armchair sailor I am! Before they finish the race, I’ve given you pictures of them setting off. Let’s compare their grins when they arrive, with luck just after me.
George and John's boating trip no longer 