So my report is done from my memory!

Did so much more for me than Introduce me to sailing and gave me the confidence to travel and more importantly book holidays by myself. The world is before me.

Oh and Peter s demonstration of folding a fitted sheet was just great!

My summary of trip in photography.

My bunk

These are my watch card for my first voyage on board the Tenacious.

Well I went up the rigging. With support from the wonderful Micheal (I know that is not how you spell his name) and the tremendous Hannah and Micheal Fourman on my rope.

It was actually easier than I thought it would be. One foot after the other you can only go up. I rationalised it by saying to myself. It would not look good if they lost someone overboard.

The view was great. It wasn’t that cold even although I am a bit over wrapped up. Being used to the frozen north.

This gave me the biggest boost to the confidence I think I never had. I have come back home, I’m looking for a new job!

The third day was just a normal day. With happy hour more training none of which

I remember. I think the more able amongst us climbed the rigging. Dates and stuff like that is a bit of a blur. I was truly exhausted by this time.

blue steel

The second day was a bit of a haze of exhaustion safety talks getting to know people.

Me with the ropes watching for things to bang into.

On that night watch Ben and our watch we had to set a sail! Which wasn’t easy as we hadn’t even been up that end of the ship.

The lift which I was using by this time, decided to attack me by nocking me on the head.

The sail got changed we pulled on ropes although we had no idea what we were doing. Ben did an excellent job quietly, Anyway 12 o’clock came and went and the new watch came on. We all went to bed!

End of first day.

This was my first view of her. It took my breath away. At this point I was feeling sick, needed the toilet, and quite frankly I was pooping my pants.

This is my worried face. I don’t do travel. Because I find the unknown really difficult.
Turning 50 this year and having a life limiting condition for the past 37 years and I always played it safe. This was the year I was going to start taking risks. Abet calculated. I’d been aware of the jubilee sailing trust for years. So I signed up for my first voyage on Tenacious at the same time I decided to do discovery award which is basically DofE for old people.

I met Peter my watch leader. My sister informed him I hadn’t had much sleep. I’m not skilled at sleeping. I met Karyn my buddy. We hit it off straight away. I was so relieved because that was going to make or break this trip.

My sister went to work. I was left with Karyn and the duvet! Seven goes to get it on her duvet five for mine and much laughter. We called that session Duvet Gate!

Then it was stores. I was next to Andrew who was very considerate and told me the weight of everything before I took it from him.

Then disaster struck I was helping Andrew of the step on the gang plank the next thing I knew was Andrew and me were rolling in the netting of gang plank. Daz was there as quick as a flash. Got me up reassured Andrew. There was no big fuss. I thought that was it for me I’d be turfed off the boat. But no it was just part of life on board. Andrew survived the roll in the netting with me ! He was even still talking to me.

Next I was on mess duty set some tables with Bruce. I managed to rinse all the plates etc. My back was really sore by this point, so after that I went for a wee horizontal. Then I was on eight to midnight watch Duty. We also had a fire drill for some reason I was naked when It went of my clothes have never gone on so fast. Just to stop rumours before they start there was no body else involved in the nakedness. This caused Daz to utter the the immortal words you don’t need socks you need to move.”