This event has been organised by the Chilterns Support Group and involves all four of our Challenger Yachts.

16 crew members on each yacht will race it out to be the first around the Isle of Wight to claim the Round the Island Chilterns Treasure Chest!

Good luck to all involved and congratulations to the Chilterns Support Group for arranging what is shaping up to be an exciting fundraising event!

“Welcome to the lunchtime news aboard Stavros S Niarchos from me, Red 4…” 

“…and me, Red 3.”

“The news this lunchtime: 

Food stores are reported to be unusually high today, after many crew members declined lunch yesterday. Rocky waters overnight saw some crew members feeling queasy, but conditions soon improved as ginger biscuits, water and sugary tea were distributed. One “stand out” performer was Dave, 23 from Glasgow, who managed to dispose of his breakfast from the impressive height of the Upper Topsail yard arm. No crew members below were harmed (or targeted).

The ship berthed safely in Dublin at 1500 hrs, amid the cheers and whistles of appreciative Irishmen-Georgia did soon put her shirt back on, though, as the sun went in. After a tasty roast dinner and apple crumble (thanks Clive), the crew took to the streets of Dublin. The Captain provided insightful guidance on tourism in Ireland- “The drinks are stronger here, be careful.” The crew were confused by this- exactly how does Coca-Cola vary in strength?

And finally, this morning saw crew member Red 3 wake up, quite miraculously, hangover free! The ship’s most famous socialite was spotted celebrating her twenty-third birthday with fellow crew members, finishing her night in The Ferryman pub. There she unwittingly gatecrashed a private 30^th birthday bash. The revellers were welcomed, however, and quickly integrated into the party (with the help of tequila- some reports say).

That’s all from us today. Tune in again tomorrow for the latest aboard SSN 584.”

***

Day Two 

Having left Greenock we were immediately able to put our training into practice as we prepared ourselves for the adventures yet to come. The Scottish weather left much to be desired as we encountered cold winds, bracing rainfalls and force 6 waters.

It wasn’t long before we had to be taught how to brace, the act of moving the yard arms in to one of their three possible positions. With constant shouts of “2, 6, heave”, “come up” and most importantly “well!” – which means stop immediately, there was much running up and down the deck and pulling hard against the lines so that by the end of it most were exhausted.

During Happy Hour, the hour in which we all work together to clean the ship to ensure the comfort and hygiene of all, a group of blue watch were engulfed with sea water on the starboard well deck due to the intensity of the wind and waves. Unfortunately for some, the rolling waves and bumpy ride did not agree with them and they were compelled to join “green watch”.

There was plenty of new information thrown our way and at times it was hard to digest it all however through constant practice and repetition it wasn’t long before it began to feel natural and the ship like home.

Rachel North and Blue Watch

***

Day One

Stepping onto Stavros S Niarchos was overwhelming due to its sheer size and the contradiction of its complexity in being so simple; sails – wind – movement!

Late arrivals held up the introductory meeting; welcome Pedro, eventually. White Watch was finally complete.

Captain Liam was able to make a grand entry and steal the First Mate and the Bosun’s important fact before introducing us to the rest of the Permanent and Volunteer crew.

Next  First Mate Nick unnerved us all by explaining how everything could go wrong (all right?)  No Nick, not all right, we want to survive the week!

No-one told us that in Scotland the showers are outside and accompanied by strong wind and technical advice on how to steer, haul ropes and count wrong (2,6,9?) but soon time for a lovely meal in the “family like” mess. A warm bed, gentle rocking and then welcome sleep.

The next morning we faced the challenge of climbing “up and over”, not an event for everyone but plenty of sailing tasks “sweating and tailing” etc for those who proffered to keep their feet firmly on the deck

White Watch is becoming one big family, brothers and sisters and even an Uncle and Aunt!  Five more days, Bring it on!

Jordan and White Watch

We started the day on the Isle of Wight in Cowes it was quite windy to begin with then started with a bit of rain we did our own team navigation games port watch went first and finished quickly with a time of 36 minutes and then starboard watch did there’s with a time of 43 minutes we also did the same at night but it was better because it was harder to find the navigation and both Port Watch & Starboard Watch finished within similar times.

 By Holley Heyes

***

Day 4

We started the day at Poole, had breakfast, the weather was poor, we started sailing at 9:30 and arrived back at Cowes and it didn’t stop raining all day long.

We all got drenched and enjoyed the nice hot showers followed by a lovely spag bol for tea. The wind was howling as we went to bed and we feared the boat would blow away, but we were fine!

By Steven Allen

***

Day 3

This morning we woke up and had breakfast with a multiple choice of cereals.

After breakfast we listened to a presentation on what our day was going to be like. EG, weather.

Team port went on the top deck whilst team starboard cleaned up the breakfast mess. Then all teams sat in the cockpit and listened to the skippers plan on what we would be doing and where we were going. Then all the teams got into there sailing gear. Then we set of sailing to reach Poole. After we had set off we all worked as hard as possible to reach our destination.

After a quarter of an hour we needed to hoist the mainsail, so Robbie and Morgan sweated. Whilst James and Elise tailed. After the foresails (Yankees) had been hoisted the skipper decided we should tack to fight the wind. We tacked a lot.

After we arrived in Poole, Steven, Robbie, James and Alicia loaded the fenders, and sadly one went loose and fell off. After Olly hooked it back in we landed on the Pontoon. Then moored up to the side and then we came down to the base and cooked dinner.

***

Day 2

Today we worked on challenger 1 yacht, we learned all the different knots needed on the top deck, we worked as a team and eventually got it all done, it took longer than I thought and hopefully it will get better the best part of it for me was controlling the boat and tacking away from the wind.

However, we put our skills to the next level, and pushed our way through the freezing cold weather. Despite a few people’s lack of spirit, they managed to push through it, and that was a very wise thing to do. Nearing the end of the day, we all had fajitas wraps, which were very nice.

Overall, it has been a very long and hard working day, but we got through it in the end.

***

Day 1

First thing this morning I woke up early to make sure I had all of my belongings packed and ready to go.

We were on the train for 6 hours! And the walks between each train were very tiring. It was my first time on the tube train, it was very busy. Finally we arrived at Portsmouth Harbour.

I didn’t expect the yacht to be so spacious. We settled down into our bunks which were very awkward. We went to Nandos for tea the food was soo sooo hot!!! (Especially Alisha’s) then we settled in our bunks for the night…

Day 6

After sailing down the east side of the Mull of Kintyre, the ship rounded the southern end of the peninsula and headed into the port of Campbeltown. The berthing of the ship required a difficult manoeuvre into the harbour. The voyage crew then enjoyed a “social climb” up the masts, many going to the mast head. A longliner boat was used to give five of the voyage crew the opportunity to complete part of the Competent Crew training which required rowing. After the evening meal, there was a presentation by the Trust Ambassador and the Captain about the work of the Trust and how they could help. All the voyage crew and most of the volunteer crew then had shore leave for a few hours.

***

Day 5 

The ship was at anchor in Fort William. For a change it was sunny at the start of the day, but by lunchtime it was grey and raining again. After “happy hour” most of the voyage crew and some of the volunteer crew had shore leave (again using the rib) and returning early/mid afternoon. Departure was significantly delayed due to the late return of one voyage crew member. Under engines, the ship proceeded down Loch Linnie though the narrows at Corran. We sailed through the night and headed through the Sound of Islay with the wind on the nose of the bowsprit.

***

Day 4

In the morning, all of the voyage crew and some of the volunteer crew went ashore for a couple of hours in Tobermory using both ribs. As soon as the crew were all back on-board, the ship headed South and the North at end of the Sound of Mull.  Once in a position with the wind behind, sails were set and we proceeded up the Loch Linnie, arriving at Fort William early in the evening and anchoring just off-shore. En route we were passed by the paddle steamer Waverley, providing a great photo opportunity for those on-board both vessels.

***

Day 3

We sailed North through the Western Isles, going through the Sound of Islay between Islay and Jura. It was another wet and cold day, but at least we had the pleasure of being accompanied by a pair of dolphins for a while. Progress was halted for some time when the Ship stopped to assist a yacht in distress. The boat’s engine had failed, so our ship’s engineer was taken by the Bosun in the rib to carry out a repair to the fuel line. We then continued our journey North though more cold and wet weather, eventually travelling up the Sound of Mull and arriving in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull early in the evening. The ship anchored just off-shore as no berth was available.

***

Day 2

The ship departed Greenock in the early afternoon after training in climbing aloft for the voyage crew. This involved an “up and over” to the first platform using both masts, followed by going out on the course and lower topsail yards to practice breaking out and stowing sails. We practised bracing the yards as we motored down the Firth of Clyde to the Irish Sea. On a grey and damp day, we passed the Isle of Arran and rounded the Mull of Kintyre before heading north, sailing through the night.

***

Day 1

The voyage crew arrived from all parts of Britain, and even one from the USA. After introductions to the permanent and volunteer crew, the training of the voyage crew began.  The first and most important topic of the afternoon was safety on-board the ship. This included a demonstration of the immersion suit by John Venes, White Watch Leader, to the great amusement of all. Shore leave on the evening allowed the voyage crew to socialise and get to know one another before setting off for the Western Isles of Scotland.

We started the day with bowls of cereal and tea and had a general clean before we rigged the boat and set sail. We sailed out of Poole, the weather was fantastic for this time of year and we all got a bit sun(wind) burn.

The port watch made sandwiches at lunchtime before we reached the Solent to reach our destination along the Hamble River where we went crab-fishing, a great day was had by all.

By Ellis White

***

Day 2

We started our day at about 07:00 and got the sails on deck, prepped the boat and got scoff. 09:00 we departed Cowes and made out to sea.

After a rather large amount of tacking (Turning the boat through the wind with the sails changing side and a ½ ton boom swinging past at head height.) We made for Poole at about 11:00 and decided to practice man overboard drills. This involved chucking a buoy overboard and having Ellis White pull it out of the sea as we approached.

After lunch at 12:00 (Consisting of Pies and Beans) Soon after this we found a good wind and tack then took our boat along this route consistently for a couple of hours. Nearing Poole we dropped the sails and tidied away the deck. We proceeded to moor alongside the pontoon, next to a multimillion pound vessel of substantial size.

Our watch made a dinner of spag bol and garlic bread. Then it was off for a shower and Tescos and an early night as we were shattered.

By Connor O’Reilly

***

Day 1

Hello, I am Samuel “Mouse” Zacher…

I have been on a 72ft Challenger Yacht, today we sailed to the Isle of Wight. We started at Portsmouth, and here I am now in the island, it’s great!