The Adventures of a Millennium

by Meredith Brady on 24 May 1997 Meredith Brady handed in at the end of the Race as an entry into the log competition


It was Saturday 17 May
A rainy overcast day
When 17 yachts set forth
For Gizo in the Solomon Islands up north

Starting at the back of the fleet
We were leading before the beat

Crossing the bar
Was with an um and an ar!
Couldn’t see NEZ
So time for a spin

All through the swell
Navigator was saying hell
Rattle n Hum
Right up our bum

Then came the sked
And the fleet was well spread
Time for a chat and Alby was there
But it was more the case of the tortoise and hard

Night came fast
But the wind didn’t last

DAY 2

15 miles south of Indian Head
We discovered a blocked head
With seven days to go
The loo had to flow

With Roger Rabbit on the bow
And the three stooges on the stern
It was hard to decide which way to turn!

Now off Fraser Island and the kite jibes round
Its off to Gizo with 11.7 over ground

Rise n Shite and all were now fine
Discovered crewman Doug, who now fell into line
During the night he filled the bucket
Now it was day, we told him to chuck it
By the light of the watery moon
We are eating Thai chicken with a spoon

Alstar is still out in front
All we need is a bit more grunt

DAY 3

All through the night we had up the kite
Awoke in the morn and oh what a sight
Clear blue skies do surround
With not another boat around

Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn we celebrated with a beer
As at the sked we heard Alby was not far away

Showers for all to make us happy
Washing was done to keep us snappy

The singles line was started after the sked
Only to find most of the prospects were dead

Infinity called with birthday wishes to make
A day too early – just reserving their cake

Night has now come and the galleys a mess
But on with priorities and bring out the chess!

With the toilet blocked and no plumber in sight
Someone sang out – it’s the captain’s delight!

Stocktake and call to find the owner of a blue/white
In the mist of allusion thinking they gained in the night

DAY 4

A day of clear blue sky
Gratefully gives to us by the high
The winds are now east
And the crew prepare for Merris’ birthday feast

All the crew basking in the sun
Who said sailing isn’t fun?

Foredeck lounge opens for dancing at three
At the stern bar the drinks are free
the Café Du Rolls serves everything but snacks
And the passion palace keeps the crew in good balance

DAY 5

A rip and a tear in the middle of the night
We all looked up to see no kite
Alstars keep rattled through the night
We won’t know the problem till first light

Relaying Gusto’s position at each sked
They owe us a few beers and can clear the blocked head

With Salicans prop the biggest in the fleet
They contacted the Race Director asking if the rules did allow for it

Sweet Caroline have been towing a line
Whilst scooting along in the sun shine
But alas at the sked a message not to miss
They finally caught that tuna fish!

One boat did brad the old salty fable
That they had a gimballing pool table

DAY 6

All the crew now in the grove
So now was our time to make our move

Alby’s position we were awaiting
Only to find Milleniums abaiting

Then a postcript at the end of the morn sked
Alby GPS was the same state as our head

Radio problems did now exist
But at the evening sked we did persist
With a thump and a bang it began to receive
Alby’s position we didn’t believe

DAY 7

All crew now on the rails
Eagerly biting their nails
As the speed did see
A twenty point three!

The miles were coming down
And the crew didn’t frown
As Gizo was not far ahead
Offering a dry fresh bed

The seas have now grown
And the wind and moan
But oh our big kite
Couldn’t handle the fright

Up with the other
And from the rain we seeked cover
But the big waves did make
Our spinnaker pole break

Alby called to wish us well
He too had problems and bid us farewell

Now near the finishing line
We have made it to Gizo without many problems
But we wish to thank Solomon Airlines
And the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron