Tall Ships Adventure Under 18 YFC Travel Portsmouth

Tall Ships Adventure Under 18 YFC Travel Portsmouth, Cowes, Poole, Alderney, Sark, Guernsey, Lymington and Portsmouth. Challenger 2 July 2014

Day 1 Met the crew and all of the young farmers on the quay before going and finding our boat, Challenger 2. We found our bunks, did all the safety briefs and tried on our waterproofs. Some of the crew were late so we set off from the harbour at 4 ish and motored across to Cowes. The exceptionally fantastic and talented starboard watch, lead by the brilliant James, prepared and cooked a Mexican feast. The cutting of onions did prove to be a challenge and despite Freddie thinking we could cook the lettuce, we got there in the end. Starboard Watch: Alice, Lydia, Freddie, George, Lou and James xxx

Day 2 Yooooooo peeps… Day 2 of our adventure and we actually did some sailing! We started our day by preparing the deck, this involved getting out and hanking on the Yankee 1 and the Stay Sail. We then motored out of Cowes and set the sails, heading for Poole. We learnt how to tack and practiced this multiple times. We practiced the MOB (man overboard) exercise and successfully rescued Bob the Bucket Buoy. The team had the boat heeling over at a 30 degree angle – quite scary! After our MOB practice it took a huge team effort to un-hank and flake the sails before putting them away. On our way into Poole, Harry Redknapp’s house was pointed out to us, we are now moored at Poole Harbour – the second biggest natural harbour in the world – waiting for our fish and chips to arrive! Lots and lots of love, Emma’s Jolly Sailors (Port Watch – Adam, Frankie, Annie, James, Ali & Georgie) xxxx

Day 3 Hidey hi sailors! Early start leaving Poole at 7 am heading for Alderney. Lack of wind meant for minimum sailing so we motor-sailed for the majority of the trip, it was a lovely lazy sail. For breakfast we practically cooked an entire pig, 60 rashers of bacon, mmmmm tasty! We visited the island resulting in some of us becoming a little soggy due to a good looking beach. BIG night ahead. We might end up in the middle of the Channel, fingers crossed the anchor stays in place. Starboard Watch: Alice, Lydia, Richard, Freddie, George, Lou and Sir James. xx

Day 4 Yoooooo Peeps, Today we started at Alderney anchored in the harbour (Braye). After a cereal breakfast our watch cleared up down below, then we prepared for a day of sailing. We motored out the harbour and put up our main sail hoping for some wind the sun was shining and the water was calm. James the helmsman spotted a sun fish flapping his dorsal fin under the surface. Paul the skipper set our course at 180 degrees through the Alderney race. We arrived into Dixcart Bay at the island of Sark set anchor with 60 m of chain, then used the tender to travel to the island we forced Adam to be first out and test the water and hold the boat whilst we got out, after Darren had done 3 trips to ferry everyone across we explored the island. After a long walk up a steep hill we came across a local tractor mechanic and asked for directions, expecting him to say we were trespassing he actually said we were about 20 m from the town. Emma’s Jolly Sailors (Port Watch – Adam, Frankie, Annie, James, Ali & Georgie) xx

Day 5 Ahoy there sailors! We began the day with a scrumptious breakfast of eggy bread combined with, jam, ketchup, or nutella (questionable) and then picked up the anchor and left Sark. After putting up the sails, we actually managed to sail for most of our trip to Guernsey today, which was extremely exciting due to our steady week so far. We reached Guernsey at around 1 pm ready for lunch! Some young farmer competitiveness came out whilst exploring the island playing different games and seeing who could buy the most interesting fashion accessories (ankle basher socks) M&S really let us down this beautiful evening with no mince being available for our Spaghetti Bolognaise, but we battled on with pork meatballs which were mashed to a pulp. The end result was delish. Sir James’ battalion. (Lydia, Rich, Freddie, Alice, George, leader Lady Lou. ) Xxx SAILORS OUT!

Day 6 How do Shipmates! We have arrived safely in Lymington Marina after a very long and tiring day. After getting up at 3: 00 am this morning, we left Guernsey around half an hour later and started 3 hour alternating watches, with our group up on deck for the first, the highlight of which was the beautiful sunrise over the English Channel. After picking up the wind, we managed some great sailing over the crossing, with the Yankee and Staysail hoisted. Our watch then finally managed some sleep and joined the others for a buffet lunch. With the wind dying down, we motor sailed onwards towards the Jurassic Coast, passing the Isle of Wight and Yarmouth on our route into Lymington. Lots and lots of love, Emma’s Jolly Sailors (Port Watch – Adam, Frankie, Annie, James, Al & Georgie) xxx

Day 7 Week Summary: We started in Portsmouth sailing to Cowes on the Isle of White. From there we set off on a short trip over to Poole, before taking a long trip down to the Channel Islands and Alderney. We then stayed in the Channel Islands with a trip across to Sark, where Freddie was in his element with just tractors, before moving on to Guernsey the next day. Longest day up from Guernsey back to the main land at Lymington (Best-Showers-Ever!!). Then sailing up the Solent today back to Portsmouth.