Today we started the day 8 young crew members, two of whom are now no longer with us.

We then had our departure postponed due to the selfish vessels of the sea BLOCKED our passage. When we finally pushed off from the pontoon, we had a short reprieve from the choppy water before entering the Solent where the waves began to crash over the top of the Bow.

With spray from the sea reaching over our heads we perilously made our way towards Cowes. We finally arrived at Cowes!

We are now down to 5. Before departure we had a very enthusiastic watch who found it very important to demonstrate his climbing skills up the back stay (for his personal pride we would like to add that he climbed the spinnaker pole in 13 very short seconds, well done Flynn) by the end of his mission on dropping and retrieving the ensign, it was flown very and proud. Nancy on the other hand knew how to tie an ensign and shall be trusted to put it up from now on.

Deck prep was completed with the highest standards led by Cristine who guided the youth with confidence.  We went from Poole harbour to Lymington in the short space of 6 hours during this we had one seasick crew member, and 7 crazy people who climbed up the spinnaker pole.

Another key teaching moment from today was Paul who taught everyone many knots such as dragon bowline, clove hitch and rolling hitch, in a way they would understand. On our journey into the harbour, we saw the key principles of what NOT to do when mooring, for example crashing into a stationary boat with an agitated driver (beautifully demonstrated by a small motor cruiser and a green sailing boat).

The youth crew have all been instilled with seamanship skills and instinctively ran to their action stations when we saw the approach of Sophies steering and the pontoon we were to be mooring on (many fenders were placed with incredible speed).

Under the threat of being given laxatives the ships management was handled successfully with no fatalities and quick action. Led by Sophie willing volunteers Harry and Toby demonstrated what two people with amazing chemistry call face to face man overboard rescue drill (on the pontoon). In a desperate attempt to pursue a career in drama Euan declared to be saved by Harry and so he was.

The youth crew experienced their youth playing in a park where they ran, climbed, played and spun, frantically. However, upon their side quest back to the challenger 4 their navigation skills were highly questionable due to the multiple failed attempts on walking off the pontoon into the water.

Upon writing this the Challenger 4 is filled with laughter, no hope in the amount of brain cells aboard and lemon tea.