We started our adventure at 13:00 at Portsmouth Harbour where we met the crew (Kitty, Paul, Lucy, Derek)

We were split into two watches (groups) then shown around the boat both inside and out. This involved safety talks and how things worked on the boat, either as a refresh for the people who had sailed before, or new learning for the people who had never sailed before.

We started our voyage by heading to Cowes in the Isle of Wight at the planned time of 15:00 which turned out to be 15:45.

We set up the Yankee and Stay sails ready for use tomorrow. Whilst sailing most of us got to drive the boat or prepare the sails ready for tomorrow or relaxing in the cockpit enjoying the view.

Only a couple of us had to clip onto the boat to do tasks which resulted in us being close to the edge, this involved pulling in the buoys, setting up the sails (specifically the Yankee)

When we arrived in Cowes, we moved off into our watches, one watch was packing away the sails that we did not need while the other watch cooked dinner.

By Haydn & Foster

First, we sailed on the boat through the Solent, and everyone was well. However, after lunch things began to turn south rather quickly with us having both the Yankee and Staysail up when we hit rough waters and many people’s health took a turn for the worst as we had 2 of the crew being seasick and the morale amongst a few of us, rapidly dropped.

Due to some valiant efforts to improve the mood by Kitty and Derek we sailed closer to Weymouth. We prepped the boat with fenders on port side as we moored on to Challenger 4, we then ordered fish and chips and were served very efficiently by Joe and Kitty after Jamie laid the table with rest of the watch group. It was very tasty! We then all had to have showers while the other watch did the clean-up. The showers were a brisk walk down the street and had these fancy sensors that turned the shower on and changed the temperature up or down.

All in all, a very interesting day with some good learning points

By Joe. B and Jamie. C

Today was an on-land day, which started with bacon baps for breakfast followed then by climbing the mast. Climbing the mast took most of the morning, leaving some time to have a look around the town of Weymouth.

Lunch was ravioli followed then by beach Olympics. This involved knot tying, intense knot tying races and tug of war between the 4 boats, followed then by swimming in the sea (for the brave only!) or beach games.

After this we moved back to our boats for dingy racing in which we competed for first place between the boats and the two watches per boat. (Our paddle broke halfway which gave an unfair advantage to the other team)

When we came back onto our boat, we were unable to come inside due to a toilet pipe blockage which Paul, Kitty, Derek and Lucy had to fix while cooking dinner. While this was happening, we were having a good time crabbing.

By Jemima, Foster, Haydn

Today, we prepped the boat to set sail bright and early at 8am. We ventured from Weymouth to Lymington over the course of seven hours. Nigel (our beloved shark friend) had a lovely sleep during this time and watched us all get to work.

We set up all the main, yankee and stay sails, however calm seas caused little propulsion. We travelled a massive speed of 3 knots… The motor was shortly turned on, and we ventured further into sea. This granted us the opportunity to retry our incredible flaking skills, led by Kitty who “redeemed” herself in the eyes of our fellow crew.

A few of us laid back on the bow of the ship and had a lovely snooze! We had cereal on the go (which made a mess) and cooked (not burnt or raw) baguettes with a variety of choices. For dinner, we tucked into a lovely meal of bangers and mash.

Tonight, we are planning to play some more card games, refereed by our favourite shark. WE ARE GETTING A BEDTIME STORY!!!! Kitty is going to read us chapter 2 of “Johnathan Livingstons Seagull” and we will sleep ever so soundly 😊.

Tomorrow, we will have to arise at 6am, to voyage back to Cowes, and have the nice showers back, what a lovely feeling, as everyone smells. The sailing will be great too, and the sunbathing will be thoroughly enjoyed by all, including Nigel.

This amazing blog was brought to you by – Jess, Poppy, Lucy B and Foster.

Musical accompaniment was brought to you by the London philharmonic orchestra.

Today was a shorter day than usual sailing in sailing terms, as we only sailed from Lymington to Cowes.

We were up at 06:00 ready to leave at 06:35* before the tide went out. We were the last to leave, as we had Challenger 2 tied up on us, but after we left, we had a “direct route” to the Isle of Wight (back to Cowes)

Breakfast was Croissants and Pain Au Chocolate, followed by Spinnaker Pole climbing, which most people took part in.

Lunch was Cornish pasties with the choice of beans, followed by the journey to Cowes, where we tacked back and forth.

When arriving back in Cowes it was deck clean up followed by some free time in town with a chance to spend some money. After that we came back to the boat and Lucy’s watch began dinner (Spag Bol), then showers and time to write this blog.

By Haydn & Foster

Song/poem:

Climbing the poles and taking photos

Fuelled on sausages and mashed potatoes

Although an early start

It did not break our heart

Here on challenger 1

It’s all lots of fun

Paul the skipper, kitty the mate

Sailing with them is so great

The waters were still

And all the crew were pretty chill

Macarana Vs rave

What was your fave?

Here on challenger 1

It’s all lots of fun

Paul the skipper, kitty the mate

Sailing with them is so great

As Paul sipped tea from his cup

The winds began to pick up

Nigel was hung up by a rope

Jess just could not cope

Here on challenger 1

It’s all lots of fun

Paul the skipper, kitty the mate

Sailing with them is so great

We tacked and we tacked

As we snacked and we snacked

While we stole Derek’s ginger nuts

While lucy treats Haydn’s minor cuts

Here on challenger 1

It’s all lots of fun

Paul the skipper, kitty the mate

Sailing with them is so great

Paul, Kitty Derek, Lucy and Sam

You’ve made us all feel part of the fam

Here’s a gift for all of you

You really are the super crew.