Riders on the Storm – by the Doors, Dark and Stormy a brew when relaxing: the drink rarely would be mine … more likely a
glass of vino would be my tipple …
 |
| The album cover |
But appropriate choices of Ben Keitch, who hails from
Eastbourne apparently, and is one of the skippers selected for the 2019/20 Clipper
Round the World Yacht Race …
 |
| Clippers at rest in Liverpool c/o The Guide Liverpool where a huge wine box was unveiled at the end of the 2017/18 race |
I’ll get to where this post came from and is going to
shortly! The Clipper race reminds me of Cornwall,
my mother and her sailing interests when the Tall Ships came into Penzance
harbour …
... but Ben reminds me of my Oxford days … though no degree for me – just
school, friends, and the fact my father, uncle and cousin all had degrees from
Worcester College …
 |
| Eastbourne seafront along the various promenades - the lovely turquoise tiled bandstand with the 'denuded' pier in the background (after the fire a few years ago) |
Where was I?!
Memories, apart from today’s life here in Eastbourne … Ben has had some
incredible experiences … 18 months with the Antarctic Survey, running a
festival in the Spanish desert, working in a travelling circus as an aerialist …
... he has a PhD in Physics from Oxford, with interests in electronics,
environmental impact, and acrobatics … I guess most of those you’d need
skippering a Clipper round the world.
Now to why this post is being written … some friends
came round for supper and having seen this wine box in Waitrose bought me one …
memories of South Africa …
… I love the quote on the box:
Be Passionate
LOVE
DREAM BIG
Be Spontaneous
CELEBRATE
Change the World or Go Home
 |
| We only ever had a few pieces of plain blue and white Cornishware .. Viota is a cake mix from the early 20th century |
The colours reminded me of my Ma and our Cornish days …
the blue and white of Cornwall’s china … the blue skies and crested waves of
Kernow: branded Cornishware … which I wrote about in my A-Z 2015.
I know, I know … here’s a right tangle of tentacles
creating a post … but inspiration struck … and then in trying to tie things
together … here’s another appropriate quote for this paragraph … found under
the Stormhoek name … “Catch the Moment” … I get distracted!
 |
| c/o Clipper Round the World |
It is something I’ve have absolutely no wish to do … race
the Atlantic or actually sail anywhere else … love looking at that wet stuff,
but am very happy on land.
So to a glass from a box that will bring back many
memories from times in Cornwall, Oxford, South Africa and now Eastbourne … with
a few other places in between …
 |
| c/o The Liverpool Guide ... |
Some facts:
The race is held every two years … and in March the
eleven selected skippers were revealed … they have over a million miles of
experience between them …
… and must be outstanding instructors, exceptional
motivators, and strong role models … keep calm and patient under pressure, and
- understand all types of personalities …
… just like us bloggers?! or authors, or journalists …
The Race is one of the biggest challenges of the
natural world and an endurance test like no other, the race is taken by
ordinary, everyday people (about 700 of them) – with no previous sailing experience necessary, it’s
a 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on board 70-foot ocean racing
yachts.
There is nowhere to hide – anyone can take part …
where bankers work alongside students, and waiters rub shoulders with chief
executives … as the waves or words mix and match …
 |
| Some white crested waves reminding me of the Cornish seas |
So the nod to ‘Riders on the storm’ is just right
today … life has led me on a roller coaster – thankfully the sun is out, this
post is done … memories have abounded … the sun is not over the yard-arm – but I
shall enjoy a tipple with friends tonight!
I’ve caught my moment and need to get out into the fresh Spring air …
 |
| A photo I took of an art work on display in a local memorabilia exhibition - it is dated July 1968 |
Have peaceful, thoughtful Memorial Day weekends, or
for us our Spring Bank Holiday weekend … the weather looks mixed – such is the
British weather world … at least it won’t be Stormy … but we can Celebrate and
Change the World with hope and love …
… my head is buzzing with storylines …’Catch the Story’
should be my motto for today!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Inspirational Letters
42 comments:
Hi Hilary. I hope 'Riders on the Storm' isn't the official song of the Clipper race! The lyrics are a bit grim!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s justly jocular Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi Bazza ... as I'm here - the answer is no: it's a song that Ben Keitch is particularly fond of ... I guess his brain is pretty psychedelically rocking and rolling ... highly intelligent - and obviously very suited to being one of the eleven skippers selected for the 2019/20 race ... the race is going out of St Katharine's Dock ... when I don't know! Cheers Hilary
Now that is a unique and great saying on the side of a wine box. And you get memories to boot.
Sounds like it might be fun... for those that know how to sail and can make the trip.
Isn't the journey our minds can take us on amazing? And much safer than this epic trip.
Loved travelling through your memories with you.
We have a friend who LOVES Riders on the Storm and plays it on the piano frequently. Loudly.
Only been on a sailboat once in my life..but one of my favorite books is "Sailing Alone Around the World" by Joshua Slocum. I am an adventurer in my dreams!
Enjoys your tipple, Hilary. I will have a tipple myself with dinner tonight and drink a toast to you and all your eclectic posts.
Loved Riders on the Storm. I also like the name of that book. Say you should go on that race! Interesting.
Hari om
Threads duly woven!!! :-) YAM xx
Oooh, I love that bit of memorabilia!
And it was fun to follow the little bouncing red ball! ;-D
Indeed, I almost got some Dramamine to bounce along the waves of your blog. I was in for the whole ride, wherever the waves were going. Whew! I made it and I just love the sentiment - work hard, persevere, look out for each other, be kind, and work hard. Your blogs exude positive thinking, energy, curiosity, and good vibes. I raise a glass - salute. Enjoy your spring bank holiday. We are a three day weekend here for Memorial Day -saluting those who served and died for freedoms. Cheers, my friend.
@ Alex - yes ... it was a fun present to be given (an odd one) - but loved the significance of the phrases used ... and yes it brought back lots of memories ...
@ Liz - mighty hard work, and each member has to get through the entry parameters ...
@ EC - my mind is always floating around somewhere garnering more ideas and information and probably safer than being on one of those trips - though sometimes I wonder! Memories are fun ... and joining in a 'jam session' with your friend and his piano playing must be wonderful ... I'd love to hear him play Riders on the Storm - brilliant ...
@ Kay - I've been to look up Joshua Slocum ... what an interesting man ... and I will certainly look to read his book sometime. Amazing 19th sailor/explorer et al ... an adventurer as you mention ...
@ David - thank you ... and you two enjoy your tipple ... my posts are very eclectic aren't they ... just happy people seem to enjoy them.
@ Sandie - well the race is far too tough for me ... I'm not that keen on being wet, or cold ... and basically I'm slothful! Riders of the Storm seems to be ringing a few bells ... even if it's a bit dark and grim.
@ Yam - yes lots of threads here ... good to see you ...
@ Jz - thanks, lots came to mind - fortunately quite a lot got left behind for another day. But am very happy you enjoyed following the bouncing red ball ... through my mind for this post ...
@ Joanne - oh thanks so much ... I too would need lots of Dramamine if I went on the Race ... but I'm delighted you enjoyed riding the waves with me.
Wonderful sentiment you've given me here ... with your words about my blog ... I'm just glad my thoughts come across ...
Spring bank holiday - it's warm down here, but at least it's dry for everyone on a long weekend break. Your 'Remembrance' day is at this time of year ... an essential to salute those who died for our freedom ... ours is on Armistice Day in November ... but I will remember.
Thanks so much everyone for riding the waves with me and my memories for the Stormhoek box of vino ... have blessed weekends - cheers Hilary
The Doors' "Riders On The Storm" brings back some profound memories for me. I love how your post evolved here. Interesting facts about the Yacht Race and its skipper! As for boxed wine....The wine snob in me looks askance at such an idea! LOL
Glad you're having some nice weather. We continue to have lots of rain, complete with loud thunder today. Hope you had a lovely evening with your friends. Cheers!
The thing that stood out the most to me is the wine box line, "Change the world or go home." If only we could all live that!
“Change the world, or go home.” Now, that’s a challenge to live by! :)
I'd love to take a ride on a sailboat, but I don't want to cross the Atlantic on one either.
A PhD in Physics! I'm jealous. Physics is one of those topics that opens doors to fascinating information but I just don't have the brain power to pursue. How exciting.
Over the yard-arm sure sounds like a skipper term. Errol and I used to sail and my dad used to putter us kids around the Stockholm archipelago in our motor boat, still, I never heard of this race. I loved this rambling post, I love reading about your rambling life. I guess I'm a fellow traveler in that respect. I'm so sorry I missed Cornwall when I lived in England.
Riders on the Storm and the Doors take me way back:)
Cheers,
@ Debbie - Riders on the Storm is Ben Keitch's favourite ... seems to ring a chord with commenters too. It was a rough and tumble post wasn't it.
Re the wine snob in you ... not to worry ... I got used to drinking out of box wine in South Africa ... we had bottles for special occasions - so boxes don't worry me.
Also a few years ago I saw a tv programme on how they brought the wine into England ... it was in a huge ship, with 'enormous' bilges filled with wine ... which was then decanted into bottles before being shipped (transported) out to the retail stores. Interestingly it was at Liverpool docks that the programme was filmed. Strange old world! Maybe still is ...
Oh sorry about your weather ... it hasn't been too bad here today - the clouds have scudded inland ... at least one day when it's been dry ...
@ Lynda - yes I noted that phrase - and thought what a good one ... and I too would like to live by it ... need to change a few things first though!
@ Donna - hope you're enjoying the trip ... so good to see you. You too noted the phrase ... you're on your challenge and will be home afterwards ...
@ Diane - I've sailed ... but it's not my favourite - I'm happier on land or in the air (without an engine) - I hope you can get to have a sail sometime ... lovely experience. How people manage to get it into their heads to row, or sail across the Atlantic, or Pacific ... amazes me!!
@ Jacqui - he's one clever man ... with a passionate take on life. I too would love to have some physics and maths skills, let alone chemistry ... but like you .. it's beyond me. He must be inspiring to so many people ... seems to be an excellent communicator and leader ...
@ Inger - yes over the yard-arm is definitely a yacht club term here; Lovely you and Errol were able to sail some of the California coastline; those memories for you of puttering around the Stockholm archipelago with your Dad and siblings must be wonderful to hold.
It's quite a well known race here ... started by Sir Robin Knox Johnston, who was the first sailor to sail single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe. He's been inspirational to many sailors ...
Thank you for tolerating my rambling posts ... and yes we've both travelled places haven't we - you'd have loved Cornwall if you'd been able to get down there ... it's unique ...
@ Sandra - I bet their music and songs take you (and us) way back ...
Thanks so much for your salient comments and thoughts ... we've had a dry first day of the weekend here ... the seafront is teeming with people and things going on ... cheers Hilary
Wonderful post, Hilary. Fun to read about your memories. I like how people from all walks of life work together on those clipper ships! Cheers from Maui. Going home later today.
I loved this post Hilary. And especially love the wine box! What a beautiful gift - double the pleasure with wine in it, lol. <3
I am glad I dropped by this morning for a visit because I liked what I saw and read
I loved this post, Hilary, for all the reasons you describe: the Doors, the sailing and the Stormhoek wine (one of my favourite SA wines that we get here!) Lots of associations and memories for me too!
I love sailing boats, being on one, even crewing one, but skippering? No, that's way too much for me. I do like the idea of that wine box, though ...
I had not heard of the Clipper Round the World Race. The Clipper race doesn't come to New Zealand so I wouldn't be familiar with it. I am more familiar with the Volvo Ocean Race that had its origins in the original Whitbred Round the World Race (1973-2001).
I used to sail many years ago although my little one-man Mirror Dinghy could hardly have been called a clipper! I used to get as far as the Sovereign light tower on a breezy day but that was it! The Doors, a wine box and Eastbourne. What more could you ask for?
I’m also happy on land. Boats make me throw up, especially on the ocean. That race sounds intense!
Aj @ Read All The Things!
"calm and patient under pressure" - sounds like a good plan! :)
I'm going to have that song as an earworm all day!!! Very glad I like it!
@ Denise - lucky you to have been out in Maui ... have a lovely welcome return home. Exactly ... these 'sailors' are all paying novices ... newbies to the world of ocean racing - good luck to them ...
@ Debby - my wine box was distinctly smaller than the one on the quay! But exactly a fun gift ... with a bit of thought attached to it.
@ Jo-Anne - so pleased you left happy and stimulated with the content here ...
@ Val - I thought you might enjoy this post ... I'm amazed at how the Doors has resonated ... the sailing I was sure about and your African connections with the Stormhoek wine, you'd recognise - but that you get Stormhoek wine in the Netherlands too, is interesting and fun to know!
@ Ian - I was never a lover of boats ... but I know so many love the waters and life on the ocean waves - lots where you are on Vancouver Island ... that wine box is ginormous!!
@ Rhonda - the Clipper Race was started in 1996 ... it says there's multiple stopovers - though the image I used only notes those eight ...
The Volvo Ocean Race, was also called the Whitbread Challenge - but is now known as The Ocean Race ... crewed by professionals ... I've learnt a thing or two from this post!
@ Keith - the family enjoyed their dinghy sailing ... me: I was happy up in the air in a glider, or on the land! The Sovereign Light Tower is a fair distance ... but fun to have a crazy sail out there ... The Doors, a wine box and Eastbourne has been fun over the years ... I'll give you that!
@ AJ - thankfully if there's fresh air (which there is when on a boat) I'm ok re travel ikkiness. It does sound an intense race ... and they pay to go on it - having been vetted first ... so we'd not be selected!
@ Jemi - I bet the skippers will have a few of those moments ... and must be so tolerant. Sorry about the ear-worm ... just happy to read you're another who likes the Doors and that song ...
Thanks so much to you all ... happy memories or ideas for us all - cheers Hilary
Sailing is something I enjoy watching!
Love the way you wove through your post.
Riders on the Storm, if you sing those five words over and over.
Rider on the Storm, best ever! :)
I've transferred these comments over from the previous post ... as they're relevant here, with my answers:
Sherry: I love the quote in the box, too! Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!
Deborah: I love the way one gets distracted, inspired and one thing leads to another, Hilary! Your post is just such a thing. It is a delightful mix of the "I didn't know that," 'Wow!" and "take a minute to let it sink in", put together with a lovely lump of nostalgia (lump in the throat that is). Cornish blue, South Africa...I think two of my favourite places though I have been to Cornwall more times than I can count and only once to the latter. Such an impession did it make! Loved reading, thank you Hilary :-) X
@ Sherry - thank you ... this refers to my next post re the wine and Clipper Race - Stormhoek sponsored ... (I'll copy yours over too ... )
@ Debbie - thanks - I'm going to copy this across to the 'Catch a Moment' newer post ... on which you've commented here ...
... interesting you've noted about distractions - and obviously got carried away commenting here ... still this post is about 'what's in a name' ...
Thanks ... so pleased you enjoyed the way I wandered along all the linkages - it was a mish-mash ... but I had fun running ideas together ... and I'm glad they all resonated with you. Cornwall is lovely and I know you love it and visit often ... while South Africa will never leave my being ... as so many who visit - even if like you only once.
Now to Susan and Mark ... to reply ...
@ Susan - yes relaxing outside, I agree ... it's a great way without too much 'sweat' to having a great time ... and thanks re my 'woving' - I suspect that's what the psychedelic Doors were doing when they 'crafted those words' ...
@ Mark - so pleased you enjoyed mention of 'Riders on the Storm' mention ...
Thanks one and all ... cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary: Really liked the quote on the box :-)
Wow that Ben is quite a man Intelligent, adventurous skipper in an amazing race. Eastborne looks like a beautiful place. I love beaches and what a beautiful painting
"Change the world or go home."
Wowzers, Hilary! That was powerful and has me thinking some deep thoughts. Consider it borrowed for a future post. I love it!
I had a friend that belonged to a yacht club when I was younger. We'd go out and see the sailing races. So much fun!
Elsie
What a wonderful quote and challenge!
Love seeing those clipper ships. :) And Eastbourne, which I've visited before (nearly 30 years ago!)
I can't imagine spending 18 minutes let alone 18 months in the Antarctic.
Hi Hilary, I am glad I found your site via Donna's Retirement Reflection site. I think you had mentioned living on Vancouver Island at one time (27 years for me, so far) I love the quote on the wine box, too. The Stormhoek box of wine had me at a loss for words. I love living by the ocean, although I easily get sea sick on the water. An interesting and fun post to read:) Erica
@ Pradeep - those quotes really sang out to me ...
@ Marja - Ben struck me as being a great leader of people ... setting standards as well as helping others. Eastbourne has its moments ... it'd be nice if we got some sun! sadly the beaches here are mainly stone - used as land protection against the tidal movements. I thought the painting was rather good ...
@ Elsie - I know ... loved that quote: Change the World - or Go Home ... as you mention with your 'wowzer' - what they're doing here with the race is building leaders as well as encouraging people.
That sounds like a wonderful relaxing time being out with your friend at a yacht club ... watching the races ...
@ Elizabeth - yes quotes galore here ... and challenges should one rise to them. The ships are glorious aren't they ... I have friends who go off to see the gatherings for these departures and they love it all.
I remember you mentioned you'd been here (Eastbourne) ... a lot of change since I arrived 27 years ago ...
@ Sandra - I just can't imagine that cold ... I am a real wimp! So completely understand your comment ...
@ Erica - it's lovely to see you here ... yes I was briefly over for 2018 (last year) and it is beautiful - I'd love to be able to spend more time there ... another visit perhaps.
Just glad you enjoyed the post and clips, as well as clippers! That's one good marketing idea isn't it ... loved seeing it - as well as being able to see the quotes etc.
Thanks for visiting everyone ... I'm glad my rambly post seemed to resonate with you ... just at the moment, it'd be lovely if we had some sun down here!! English seaside! Cheers and enjoy your weekends ...
I love the ocean and being in the water- but I have no desire to race on it. :) I do appreciate boats and think there are some nice ones. Lots of interesting information here- as always. :)
~Jess
Hi Jess - thanks for coming back and commenting on this post ... it was fun to write up and I learn, even as I post links for whomever might be interested to check things out ... so thank you -
I'm not so keen on sailing or the big ocean waves - but love the sea, waves and shore ... cheers Hilary
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