First I hqve to give you an impression of our stay in Hull. Hull does not have the best name and it seems that apart from a ferry port and a big ro-ro terminal not much is happening there.The centre of the town is actually quite nice and surely Hull used to be booming: there are plenty of old banks and other impressive buildings around. The general public was friendly but the nightlife very typical: guys in black slacks and girls in tiny dresses...
Passers by were very interested in what was happening and they were observing our every move on deck as our boat happened to be in poll position next to the quay. We showed the fire brigade around the boat and had a birthday girl on the boat amongst all the family and friends and even two of my ex-colleagues. It is a pleasure to show people around because it makes the actual adventure more real. Yes it still has not really sunk in. The attention the race is getting in Hull and in the local media does help. I have been interviewed by the BBC about our stay in Hull and apparantly it was broadcasted some evening during preparation week because on Saturday somebody recognised me: "you were on telly last night!" Yes she could take a picture... Very bizarre, I haven't seen it yet. The weekend of the race start coincided with the freedom festival and there were thousands of people in the area around the marina. A french artists group had a brilliant display of all sorts of fire installations spread over a few streets and on the boulevard along the Humber river and there was a fireworks display on Saturday night. By that time I was so exhausted so had to skip it; I probably slept before I hit the matress.
Then finally it was the day of the race start. Off course we were not ready and the jobslist on the boat seemed still endless but we were ready enough. Time to say our goodbyes and slip our mooring lines. It was an amazing experience. Friends and family of crewmembers, team mates on different legs all gathered in Hull to see us off. Finally it hit me; I am really going to sail around the world! After hundreds of hugs, kisses, tears, promises to stay safe and keeping the spirit alive we were let into the holding area to wait for the official sned-off. One after the other the teams were presented on stage while their team song was being played, official photographs taken, more waving and off the stage. Our team was boiling with energy and we had a ball off and on stage. Our supporteres in the crowds were carrying finnish flags and blues brothers hats so easy to recognise. It was absolutely fantastic and it made me forget about not seeing friends and family for a while and it feels wonderfull to know there is so much support for what we are doing. Then off we went!
