Your Stories

By 7.30am we were underway with sails set in a good 30 knot wind and the ship was doing around 8.5 knots. So everyone freshened up and those who felt up to it, went for breakfast.

We had some days of plain sailing...

I was on mess duties again till 5.30pm and as there was still a lot of motion on the ship, there were not many for meals!

There was no one in the ships bar either today, possibly because the chairs and stools were all tied together to stop them moving as the ship rolled and pitched.

After I ate my breakfast, with the ongoing watch, I helped serve the rest of the crew (or at least those who wanted any breakfast) and cleared away. Once all the crockery etc was washed and stowed, those on mess duties thoroughly cleaned the upper mess, galley and food storage and preparation areas.

We then started to prepare the lunch and by the time all this was done, it was lunch time!! House cleaning at home will be a doddle after all this work on a rolling, pitching platform!!

We were now back in Las Palmas and the end of the sailing part of the voyage.

I think we all felt some aspect of disappointment to have finished the sail, but we had all really enjoyed every aspect of the experience (apart from those who had some sea sickness).

The voyage had brought 26 strangers together as a voyage crew, many of whom had little or no sailing experience. Everyone had got on really well, carried out their roles and duties and jelled together well as a crew.

There was time to go ashore during the afternoon and in the evening we all went ashore for a meal together in a restaurant to celebrate the end of the trip.

I wonder if I'll experience these heights again..?

There was much to talk and reflect on, good company, food and wine and a great time was had by all.

On the way back to the ship, the Mardi Gras was underway on the large open stage and spaces near the harbour, so several of us ended up listening and swaying to the rhythm of the local bands and groups.

We finally returned to the ship in the early hours of the morning for our last sleep aboard.

Saturday 11 Feb

We were all woken and in for breakfast at 7.30 am. This was followed by a voyage debrief by the captain, who summarized our voyage course and conditions.

We then (yes you guessed) did our final "happy hour" duties and this time it was my turn to do the toilets and showers below deck. Lucky me!

We all then returned our safety belts and safety harnesses, together with any storm proof weather clothing we had been issued with. Then cleared the sleeping areas and left our bags in the bar area. Finally, we formally signed off as crew and had our passports returned.

And this is what it was driven by... wind power...

As I had some time before my taxi arrived, I walked through the town with Kathy, to the other side of the peninsula to see the beach area.

Are we really abroad?!?

Unfortunately, as we arrived there it started to rain and we spent several hours sitting out the rain in a café, where we had several coffees and lunch! It was just like a summer’s day on a UK promenade, watching people dodge the rain, with umbrellas up in a chill wind!

Eventually the rain stopped, sun came out and the warmth returned, so we made our way back to the ship for transfer to the airport.

Finally, everyone said there farewells and those of us heading for the airport left in a minibus and our great experience was to become a happy memory.

Looking back...

This was an experience of a lifetime, with so many new challenges and experiences.

It all resulted from me hearing of a competition on BBC Radio Newcastle back in July 2005. 

A cafe is a haven in any country in the rain...

I answered four questions on the BBC online quiz about Tall Ships and the Jubilee Trust and with my wife Jean’s encouragement sent my entry in with my 50 word tie breaker.

Two weeks later, to my great surprise and Jean’s great delight, the BBC phoned me and told me I had won. It was only at the end of the call they informed me that our conversation was going out on the radio!!

Sadly, by the time I did this trip, Jean had passed away, following a battle with cancer.

However, I felt she was with me in spirit during the voyage and she would certainly have been proud of me (but not envious, as she used to suffer from sea sickness).

I set off on this adventure with some concerns and anxieties.

These related to travelling alone with a significant sight problem, taking on the role of a voyage crew member with no previous sea sailing experience and my first trip after sadly losing my wife of 34 years, dear Jean.

Friends and crew mates I'll never forget...

However, all turned out well thanks to Jean’s encouragement, the BBC for sponsoring the travel, the Jubilee Sailing Trust for the voyage prize and fellow crew members for their comradeship, fellowship and support.