Launch party!

Having enjoyed beautiful sunny weather recently, it was inevitable that yesterday (our launch date) came with rain and 30 knot wind!
The sailing pursuit race was cancelled, which gave people more time to enjoy the cake stand which was very kindly arranged by HISC members.
The events were started by a welcoming speech by Commodore John Mesage, expressing the clubs support to our venture.
Joan Kearns (Fundraising Director) thanked John and the club, on behalf of GOSHCC for supporting us so generously. We also thanked Lucy and Mike Baker for their continued support and committment to us.
We then moved to the boat, where Jim (Hospital Chaplin) and the Sikh Guru lead a blessing for the boat, which was very important to both of us.
Henry Jameson then proudly announced "I name this boat DREAM MAKER" ... before throwing some champagne to christen her!
The name was chosen by Lauren, one of the teenagers at the hospital. Thank you to Radio Lollipop for running the competition on our behalf, and well done Lauren! We love the name!
There were a tear or two split ... (mainly by Mum and me!) before we started the posing for photos!
So Dream maker now moves back to Dolphin Quays for final work to be done ... Herdip and I can rest briefly before training starts in earnest ...

Sailing!

Well we've had our first experience of sea life! And boy did we love it ... in between the vomiting that is!!

Our voage was to be in "Going Concern" thanks to the very kind support of Ollie!
The wind was not behind us on Friday, so we had to rely on the engine here and there to get us Jersey 11 pm that night ... much to the dismay of puerists out there!
But the rude wake up call at 4am on Saturday informed that we'd have suffuicinet wind to take us at an intersting angle to Poole!

Made vomiting over side easier when you've got a sheer drop I guess ... and much better than a communal vomit bucket that needs emptying I find!!!

A lovely and heart felt welcome at Poole gave us time to rest and recharge batteries, before setting off on Sunday for ice cream at Yarmouth!

A brief, but amazing introduction to the sea! But no doubt it will stand us in good stead for the venture ahead !

A BIG Thank you to Ollie for inviting and accommodating us, to George (sadly without Sharkie) for being at the helm while the rest of us slept and/or vomited, to Dan for looking after the step and the vom bucket so carefully, and to Amy for parading in her long john's with a lovely shade of green!!!!!