We arrived and were promptly taken onto the boat by Martin and one the two Gordons. We chose our bunks and gathered in the saloon for introductions, where we learned that multiple people had met Princess Anne at some point in their lives.

We were split into two groups for the safety brief, one above deck and the other below. Setting off turned out to be much more involved than expected, with a confusing manoeuvre to make sure no one was left behind once the boat was untied.

We mingled a bit while the boat got out the channel, with some people having hot drinks out on the deck while indulging in the exciting view of the harbour. Angus revealed to us that he had played 20 hours of a delivery game after having been reminded by a cargo ship that was unloading some sort of grain which emitted an unpleasant aroma of cow dung.

Some of us had shots at the helm. No sails were put up as the journey to Bangor was only 1 hour long. Docking the boat was more of the same complicated procedure we had gone through for departing Belfast, and none of us were quite sure what was going on… Nonetheless, we flawlessly glided into our berth without issue.

Our watch began cooking dinner – chicken and chorizo stew – and the other put the boat to bed for the night. As the stew loudly bubbled away on the stove, the crew sat down for a bonding game of cards. After cycling through a few different choices, we eventually settled on playing President.

Soon, all 13 of us were squeezed around the table and feasting upon our meal, which was a hit amongst all. Paul, despite his affliction towards chickpeas, let Gordon know that this recipe was one for the books. As the evening closes in, we prepare ourselves for our first night aboard Challenger 2.

By Lili and Orla