We arrive in Portsmouth around lunch time; there was traffic on the way, so we stop at M&S. We yapped on the way there and when we arrived at the boat, we all introduced ourselves.

Then after that we unpacked, went to the top deck and then try on our life jackets and waterproofs, where they were fitted correctly by staff. We then put them on the hooks, and we went on a walk around old Portsmouth, where we spent some time on the beach.

Then we came back to prepare and cook dinner for the crew of 13 people. Then plated up and ate a delicious spaghetti Bolognese. At the end of the night, we saw Paul, the skipper, pull the flag down then we went to get ready for bed.

By Molly & Sarah

We woke up at 7:30 and Becca’s group (our watch leader) set out breakfast, we had cereal, toast and some juice, after that the other group washed up while Becca’s group set up the sails and got the ropes ready, after washing up the other group  came up on deck and helped out with getting set up, which took at least 2 hours as well as breakfast.

Francesca lowered the ball fender, Lily untied the ropes, the others helped with the elephant ears to keep the ropes tidy on deck.  We set sail 10:20 and we attempted to make Cowes, however, our engine overheated which led us to having to hoist the Staysail and the Yankee and turn back, Lily and Francesca did the sweating whilst the other helped with winches.

We made our way back to Portsmouth and a boat called The Albian came over to help if needed/ support. Miss Heuulegg’s group made lunch, we had pasties with beans, Becca’s group washed up.

After we all went for walk/ tour down to the historic Naval shipyard where Nelson’s famous ship’s Victory was, we looked at old photos, boats and rope that they used when anchoring.

Lily and Francesca spent their time making ropes as they did in Nelson’s time exactly how they would in the workhouses. After we made our way to the shops where we went off in our groups whilst the teachers waited in the meeting spot for an hour.

We went to Haribo world, Cabrey’s, lint store and the body shop. Soon after we made our way back to the boat and Becca’s group started making dinner, we got all our stuff packed up, sleeping bags etc as we had to switch boats due to the problem with the boat earlier, however it is the exact same model as the boat we were originally on.

It is now 6:30 and we are getting our stuff loaded onto the other boat, then after that will be dinner then a few card gambling games, and then finally off to bed around 9:30-10:00 for a new day’s work.

By Francesca & Lilly

We woke up quite tired but ready for a fun adventure. So, we went up and started setting up breakfast (Croissants and Pain au Chocolat) for the other crew.

Then after eating our breakfast, we went up and started to set up the boat for the journey ahead whilst the other group cleaned up. Afterwards, the other group came up and helped finish up the rest, so we did a last engine check and went off for our adventure to the sea.

I at first was helping with mooring warps then started getting the sail open for the treacherous winds and waves ahead. Then I started to help with the sweating and had some fun generally doing tasks and helping others.

It was a lot of fun when we got the chance to steer on the rough sea. it had so much adrenaline it was like a pump in my veins when the ship swayed with every motion and movement of my hand it felt unreal how I was controlling life by the edge.

We had to eat whilst still on the move there was no rest for our crew so half went below into dizziness and the rest into hard treacherous labour, pasta was the main on the menu since we had to be quick and agile to stay afloat and feed the crew.

No one and I mean no one would think that when it was done one of our crew would have 4 whole bowls of pasta that one was a doozy. There were the funny moments and the laughs but, in the end, we were able to dock (onto another boat) that was the hard part.

We would throw ropes with all our strength to ensure that no sea would drift them away or any wind would catch them in its grasp. when we were finally hooked in, we could have a moment of relief and tranquillity of course that was short lived since more work had to be done which was to make sure the crew were safe and weren’t going to drift away into another rough challenge.

The mainsail was the hardest to handle but it was too much for me and I myself barely did anything.

We then went ashore to explore Cowes and then it was back to the boat. We got to sit down for 5 minutes only 5 minutes and then it was time for dinner.

We had guessed that we were going to have the famous British dish, Fish and chips. After that people had to do their showers have a nice time cleaning up, I felt quite dizzy until the famous sea sickness tablets come to the rescue.

Perseverance and hard work let us pull through and to not fall asleep. We were talking about special powers and locations that would be where we would want to go.

As I write this my friends and teachers are playing cards for sweets and entertainment. I feel especially bad for one of them since she lost her phone to the formidable sea.

That’s all for Wednesday goodnight have a nice time.

By Hardijs

Today we woke up in Cowles, some of us earlier than others, our watch leader woke up to a girl shouting “get out!! Seasick!!!!” and woke us up at 5:30 in the morning.

We had bacon baps and rolls, after we got our boat ready for a sail, we practiced our man overboard drill, where we had to be harnessed up and climb over the boat to collect somebody and harness them to your rope, in a real situation they would be struggling to keep themselves upright.

We took turns “saving/ rescuing” each other as we would in a real situation. Soon after we decided to take turns climbing the mast we sweated each other up, some went higher than others.

After multiple turns we finally decided to set sail heading towards Portsmouth. We took turns steering the boat and doing other activities, whilst this was occurring below deck Becca’s group was preparing jacket potato with beans and cheese. We then sailed towards Portsmouth and back again.

Around 3:00 we started to take down our sails as we were going to start preparing dinner, chicken curry and rice with a side of naan bread.

As that was being prepared, up on deck the other started putting an anchor down near the Isle of Wight to keep us steady in order to have dinner, that way dinner would be prepared by 7:00 that way we would be able to have some chill out time as well as learning about the use of different flares whilst being captured by a mesmerising sun set setting on the Isle of Wight.

After that we got ourselves ready for some night sailing. That way we could have the full experience of not just a sailor but a night sailor, learning how to navigate in the dark and avoid other boats.

After that we would travel towards Portsmouth and hook ourselves to the deck and get ready to sleep for a brand new day and packing for our trip home.

This experience is an experience not many people have; one we will remember for a very long time. A great trip and opportunity to have, how lucky we are.

By Francesca & Ashley