Lily’s Interview with Ms. Shirley, Captain of Speedwell of Hong Kong

Where did you start from?
Cape town, South Africa.

How long did it take?
It has taken me 12 years to get here.
My first trip from Cape Town to St Helena took three weeks.

Capt. Shirley and Lily

Capt. Shirley and Lily

What did you see?
My favorite part of the world has been Brazil for the people, the food and everything. The birds are very beautiful. I will never forget the Roseate Spoonbill which I saw in Paranague.

Was anyone with you?
Sinbad, my cat

What was the hardest part?

The first night. A storm. Also my engine quit working.

What was the most fun?

The list is very long. Coming up the East River into New York City was something I will never forget.

Boat facts:

Speedwell of Hong Kong is a 62-year-old Vertue. It is a wooden boat. Ms. Shirley spent a hurricane season in Trindad in the shipyard laying fiberglass over the wood in order to keep the boat seaworthy. She said the hard part was striping the old paint and caulking. Also, the fiberglass was very hard to work with in the heat and she did have to get another pair of hands in order to lift the large sheets of dripping fiberglass to the hull.

Lily checks daily for tadpole development. They are starting to sprout some back legs.

Lily checks daily for tadpole development. They are starting to sprout some back legs.

5 Responses to Lily’s Interview with Ms. Shirley, Captain of Speedwell of Hong Kong

  1. Danny June 16, 2014 at 8:21 pm #

    Good Job Lily. I guess you are a budding journalist, or as I guess they say these days “blogger”‘
    Uncle Danny

  2. Danny June 16, 2014 at 8:26 pm #

    I also read some of the Speedwell blog. Very interesting journey. Does she have an end plan, or she just going as long as she can?

  3. Jan June 16, 2014 at 8:37 pm #

    Great job, LIL!

  4. Faye June 17, 2014 at 1:04 pm #

    Nice interview Lily, and nice hair cut.

  5. Tammy June 17, 2014 at 5:56 pm #

    Ms. Shirley is trying to get a Canadian visa in order to go up to Nova Scotia. She said she is keen for some cool weather so she can sit on the boat and knit. No sure beyond that. Thanks for the comments!! We had to do another hair cut, mamaw. Her hair has pretty much turned lime green from pool water. Today she is playing with a little toy cooking set she got from our neighbors. We are laughing at her because usually she is in the galley really cooking with the real pots and pans but she also like the toy ones because Whiskers needs them. She also got a Barbie doll so she can’t be bothered with journalistic pursuits at the moment.

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