Coming onto the ship surprised me with how much space there was in here. The staff team is lovely to everyone. The staff said it was going to be a boring day because we were going to have to learn about all the safety procedures on board, but it was very entertaining as well as educational.

Although we didn’t go on deck much due to the boiling weather, we did other fun activities such as learning to tie navy knots and cook fajitas (they were delicious), while the other watch did different chores above deck.

When we did go on deck, we took part in activities such as climbing the mast and learning about safety on board. While we were on board, we also socialised with one another, and I can’t wait for tomorrow. However, I hope the weather gets cooler.

We also gained basic knowledge of what living on a boat is like for sailors, even though we haven’t left shore yet.

Alicia, Melita

Today, the girls were 23 minutes late to breakfast, which was cereal and croissants. Then we had to prep the deck for our voyage to Salcombe.

We then started sailing and, as we were leaving Plymouth, we saw a submarine and a cruise ship. After we left Plymouth, we had to motor. We tried to sail but failed as there was no wind. To get some wind, we ended up going offshore using the engine and, once we were far enough off the land, we did find wind and started to sail.

We ended up sailing for four hours and, whilst sailing, we chilled out, chatted, and got to know each other more. When we got to Salcombe, we got all the sails down and prepared to go into port. We had to tie Challenger 2 up to a mooring buoy and, to do this, we had to lower Lucas over the side to attach our lines to the buoy.

We packed the boat away and then gave Peyton a birthday card, as it is her birthday today. We took a water taxi to the shore and then hiked down to the beach, where we had a cold swim with many marine animals. After this, we hiked back up from the beach and were rewarded with an ice cream.

We then took the water taxi back to our boat, where we made dinner, which was chilli con carne. We had birthday cake for dessert. We then watched the sunset from the deck and went to bed. We have a very early start tomorrow to get to Falmouth.

By Lucas, Flo & Isla

We woke up early (around 6:30) on the water off Salcombe’s coast, where we had to rig the boat.

Then we had breakfast and, after breakfast, we sweated the sail (pulled it up the mast).

Whilst we were looking out for lobster pots, we passed Eddystone Rock Lighthouse off the coast near Plymouth.

Whilst passing another vessel, we were surprised to hear thunder, so we rushed to put on our waterproofs.

Once the weather had passed and the sun came back, we had a quick nap on deck.

When we’d woken up, we were surrounded by dolphins, darting and sweeping amongst the waves. Around 15 minutes later, they swam away. Leo was particularly fond of the dolphins.

Once we entered the mouth of the River Fal, we had a MOB drill where we had to pretend that someone had fallen overboard. After this, we lowered the mainsail and headed into port at Falmouth.

For dinner, we made bangers and mash and a Donald Trump carrot, where Donald’s likeness was carved into a carrot.

Then we went to sleep.

By Leo, Alex and Finlay

We woke up early (around 08:00) in Falmouth Harbour. We made breakfast, a.k.a. pancakes (scrumptious), while the other group rigged the boat.

We all then went ashore to explore Falmouth until around 12:30. Whilst ashore, we had ice cream and stocked up on sweets. We then got the boat ready to leave. While we were doing this, the port side watch made lunch, which was filled pasta and was very nice. After lunch, the starboard side cleaned up.

During the voyage back to Plymouth, we had a lesson on points of sail. For example, the beam reach is the strongest and fastest point of sail, whereas the no-go zone is where the wind is pushing towards you and you won’t be moving via sailing (in irons).

After our lesson, the watches dispersed and had some free time to play card games or relax on the deck. After a couple of hours, we had another lesson on the weather and how we find out the information. Whilst sailing along, we saw some more dolphins and it rained a little bit.

Dinner was soon started by the starboard watch so that it would be ready for when we arrived at our destination. Dinner was chicken curry with naan bread and poppadoms.

We arrived at our destination, Cawsand Bay, and ended up anchoring there as there was no space at any other marinas. Everybody was needed to bring down the sails and get the boat ready for anchoring.

Once we had anchored, we then had our delicious curry. After dinner, the port side washed up and cleaned while the starboard side put the boat to bed.

Tonight, because we are at anchor, we are doing anchor watch to make sure the boat is safe and not drifting. For anchor watch, three of us from each watch will take it in turns to take bearings of three different lights during different periods of the night. If the bearings stay the same, or do not change by much, we are not drifting.

Anchor watch is both exciting and challenging. Tonight is our last night on board as tomorrow we will make the short journey back into Mayflower Marina.

By

Jack, Noah & Peyton