Tall ships 2016 blog- Flora Bagnall, Serena Brown, Arthur Brown, Jack Neylan, Matilda Tabour, Zofia Moritz, Sam Dixon
Day One – Monday
Having finally arrived in Portsmouth after a 4 hours’ drive and crashing into a lamp post we found our way through Gunwharf quays towards Challenger 1; our home for the next 6 days. Once aboard it was survival of the fittest to get the best bunk, after territories being established our safety brief commenced. It was time for our first outing on the boat towards Cowes. This was done under motor but a perfect opportunity to run some drills and practice our knots. It took us an hour and 45 minutes from Portsmouth harbour to Cowes where we came along side. It was finally time for dinner and starboard watch’s turn to cook. After interesting methods of cutting onions with spoons in mouths to stop crying, a delicious chilli was very quickly eaten. Now it is time for Port watch to clean up our mess whilst starboard watch relax, have showers and enjoy the first evening aboard.
Day Two – Tuesday
Tea and toast after a surprisingly comfy night’s sleep in our bunks, the challenger crew was ready for what day 2 had in store. Slipped lines from Cowes at 0930, headed for Weymouth, a slow start to begin with, but the wind and the tide soon turned in our favour, and the crew enjoyed the sunshine and the blue skies (some a little too much, having rather red faces). We flew past the needles keeled well over, we decided to make the most of the plentiful wind and weather and headed for Weymouth. Whilst the crew on deck were sunning themselves, a selected talented number of crew ventured to make fresh artisan rustic loaves ready for butties in the morning. Loaded the oven with fish, sent ‘the chef’ to the chippy, then the whole challenger crew sat down for a well-earned dinner, showers and shore leave followed, then into bed !
Day Three – Wednesday
A loud DSC beeping woke us from our pits. However we were perked up as the smell of Bacon wafted through the ship. After a scrumptious breakfast, stroll along the beach and a wee sunbathe we washed the sand from our toes and left harbour at 1100. Cries of “MAN OVER BOARD” soon echoed through the cliffs off Weymouth as we began our MOB drills. Luckily our willing volunteer fender, Bob, was swiftly rescued every time. Then, following a brief encounter with Challenger 2 and a sudden bout of rain, we arrived in Portland. That evening we enjoyed Olympic standard facilities, a live band and even a spot of tobogganing on Chessle bech using an old washed up plastic box.The spice of chicken curry warmed up the crew as we sat down to dine within the saloon as one big family.
Day Four – Thursday
We were woken by the noise of the year 11’s opening their GCSE results. Then a short tea, toast and cereal before getting straight up on the deck to prepare the largest headsail, the genoa, which was rather heavy. After a quick stroll around Portland to find the supermarket so we could stock up on doughnuts we were off. There was little wind which which meant little sailing but lots of sunbathing. On route to Poole there were many obstacles which included naval vessels practicing firing and a short lived storm. The other sailors we past must of thought us mad were as we put our skills and muscles to the test reefing the sail to de-power it … in no wind. Thankfully as we came into Poole the weather cleared and the sun came out. To end the evening newly qualified chef Ben cooked us a cracking spag-boll. We then sat out on deck to enjoy a brilliant firework display in the marina with celebratory ice creams to celebrate the year 11’s results.
Day Five- Friday
Our final day but in my opinion the best! Firstly because we got abit of a lie in but we then all got the chance to climb the mast of Challenger 1. At 58ft up the views of the Marina were beautiful and the crew below looked like tiny ants as they worked as a team to winch one another up to the top. We then left harbour for the final time. The sun once again was shining brightly and the wind was practically non existent. However that didn’t stop some of the UK’s greatest sailors from hitting the water we saw Ben Ainslies Landrover BAR team out training with the big man bi self on board as well as Alex Thompson on his jet black Hugo Boss yacht. We anchored up around seven for supper then after we finally pumped up the safety boat, breaking two pumps in the process we all lept off the side of the boat and went for a swim. As the sun went down and the stars came out we all had to do some nighttime navigation to get us in to Portsmouth for our final night on Challenger 1. The next morning there was a quietness among the crew due to the fact that no one wanted to leave but also because we were all scrubbing hard to get the boat ship shape. We all achieved our competent crew certificates and loved every second of the experience, an amazing week!
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