Flying Duckman - Day 1, The Flight is Going Well

Hi All (All two of you!) After a relitively uneventfull start, when only one yacht hit us (it is correct, the Dutch do do port & starboard the other way around to every one else!).  We are now heading South to warmer climes and to shed our winter down.  We don't want to give away our position or course to anyone, especially the other three Oyster 655s, as we are convinced it is the fastest route to St Lucia. In case you don't known the highly skilled and motivated crew we have onboard, here is the names of the crew of six ugly ducklings and one beautiful swan.  John Peking Duck, Mark Rubber Duck, Mike Crispy Duck, Charles What's Up Duck, Chris Duck Bill, Jens Daffy Duck (the skipper) and finally the beautiful swan An Whooper Swan. If you received our first blog you may have noticed. read more...

Flying Duckman - Day 2, In the Big Duck House

Hi All The Flying Duckman is now in her stride up to 11 knots of boat speed with 18 knots of wind, generally bowling along nicely duing 8 to 9 knots with the cruising chute up most of the time. The Ducks are all working hard to as to arrive in St Lucia not too late for the breeding season! The Ducks are also settling down all OK to life onboard arranging their nests to suit, all feeding well, but Duck wind has been a problem for some! What's Up Duck (Charlie) is keeping us all entertained, he is our most mature Duck with fine silver down head plumage, with mahogany body feathers.  He is also one of the noisiest Ducks and seems to require more liquid in take than the others, as long as the liquid is either brown or clear with bubbles!  He is currently carrying out a stock take, to ensure. read more...

Flying Duckman - Day 4, Hidden Tonics

Hi to both of you So another day of the progress of the Flying Duckmen's trip to St Lucia, accompanied by the beautiful Whooper. A great days sailing along our secret route to the Carribean ( which Island was it? ) in winds of up to 25 knots. Saw a few whales and some dolphins who came to see us fly past in such a stylish manner. In preparing for our trip the ducks paid close attention to our health, Whooper searched the markets of Las Palmas for limes to keep our feathers nice and glossy whilst the ducks put loads of quininne based tonics on board to avoid malaria. Both remedies are taken at sundown along with some London spirit. Our Rubber Duck (Mark) baked us some special duck food yesterday. The scones tasted okay but didn't manage the task of rising above sea level, the bread was a. read more...

Flying Duckman - Day 4 again whoops, Rubber Duck has his say!

Hey up, owsta going on like.  Greatings from the Duck mobile, not quite like me truck , as it ain't got any wing mirrors. Ear we are South bound, no chance of a convoy as there's nowt about, not even Ali McGrath in a dropped top Jag.  There are though plenty of Atlantic Rollers! Quite fortunate though, as we are charging along and there are no smokey bears with radar guns out here. Now for Duck of the day, Crispy (Mike)He is a multifaceted shop keeper from Rochdale as well as being an illusionist. He is the size of one of Cyril Smiths legs. He has sang with Gracy Fields and danced with Lisa Standsfield.  When he does his party trick, ladies beware, you will end up bare and he don't care. Keep the wind a blowing, my sails a pulling, keep the fish on the line, coz I won bet. It may not be. read more...

Flying Duckman - Day 5, The Screamer Has Gone

Hi All We can say "All", as we understand that the RSPB & RSPCA have joined our readers. Apparently they are concerned that there might be some cases of cruelty to wildfowl onboard.  We can assure all readers, that there has only been one case of plucking and fully justified it was.  Some would say it was a case of "Mallard Practice", but not us! Duck Bill has been accused of enjoying himself too much in his aft cabin, as there appears to be a screaming noise every so often, is there a female stow away onboard?  On investigation, the remainder of the Ducks found the cause, a German transvestite ex driver for Lufthansa, called Otto Pilot.  There is some reflief as the screaming ceased last night, she/it jumped ship.  To celebrate, the flock have decided to pull into Cape Verde to. read more...