Today we have been sailing. It took two and a half hours to get to East Cowes.

We saw loads of ferries and other sailing vessels, including the other TSYT Challengers. The weather was above average!

We learnt how to tie clove hitches and a round turn with two half hitches. We also learnt about sails, fenders and safety onboard, and some of us even got to steer the ship.

Others cleaned /packed away on deck while our watch made dinner and we are now lucky enough to be writing this blog.

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Today we went from Cowes to Portland, it took about six hours and 30 minutes. We woke at 07:15 to Rob’s  (Mate) diva music.

During the voyage over to Portland, we pulled the Mainsail up, it was heavy for most of us. Ben also threw his insides outside the boat. He is now ok (we think)!

We then had lunch, which was pasties, beans and sausages. Meanwhile, if you were to go down below deck you felt sick instantly. Apart from Eliza who was apparently “fine”.

When we eventually arrived at Portland, we went to Chesil Beach. Kaine went fishing and caught valuable memories, and he is still fishing as we write this blog.

Today we went from Portland to Yarmouth.

Rob woke us up with thunderstruck ringing in our ears .Then, we had cereal, omelettes and some other things for breakfast. We did some prep on the deck to get ready for sailing, while the others cleaned up the breakfast items.

We left Portland Harbour and we crossed over into no man’s land, where we pulled up the Mainsail. It was challenging, especially when the wind started to catch. Unfortunately, it was all downhill for Sam, as she spent most of the journey over the side in green waters.

After lunch, we set up the pole climb. We had to climb up the rope attached to the pole and touch the top of the pole, which was hanging over the side of the water. Some points you were hanging mere centimetres over the sea!

While doing the blog, we were discussing who wrote what part of today’s blog and have come to the conclusion that Ben wrote the date and everything else.​

Today we are back in Portsmouth after travelling from Yarmouth. The journey took six hours, due to the tides and wind being against us.

We had to wake ourselves, because Rob’s speaker was broken, due to the previous wake up calls, before being embellished with Bacon sandwiches. We then began a perilous mast climb held up by Rob’s fresh new ropes, especially made for us. It was a proper lush view from 95ft up.

We then put up the Mainsail and the Yankee, and for the first time, the Staysail. However, progress was still very slow and so we gave up and motored for the next few hours until the wind picked up again.

We were at a 30 degree tilt then JJ told us to dangle our legs over the side of the boat. We went to the wrong side, so we got very wet legs.

We ended the day with Wagamamas, and then chilled above deck until we went to sleep.