Exciting news.......we went out on "Dream Maker" for the first time ever ever ever in Emsworth on Saturday 11th August.
It was amazing, we actually managed to move the boat, even with Richard in it, sorry Richard only joking (he's our boat builder). It was a beautiful hot day, we didn't row that far (just over an hour!) but we had to get back in time before low tide, the aim was to get a feel for it! I must say it felt good. It was calm so David the other boat builder was in 'Fat Albert' a little motor boat doing circles around us and creating choppy waters.
We can't wait till the 24th now, when she'll be fully completed! HOORAY!
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Monday, 13 August 2007
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
bonding with the boat!
Just spent most of last week bonding with the boat. Both Elin and I thought we would annoy Richard in Dolpin Quays, he's the man building our lovely boat for a few days.
The first day I was greeted with Elin sprawled out on deck, but she was working not sunbathing, she was screwing in the sliding rails, so if I go flying off my seat in the middle of the Atlantic I know who to blame!!!
We also went on a shopping spree, no girls not for a pair of JIMMY CHOO shoes unfortunately, I was dragged to Homebase. We got our tool box and all the bits to go into it, lots of spanners and other metal objects. We also got our cooker, it was cool trying it out, however doing the maths in the middle of the shop about how much gas one requires for a certain period of time was not so cool.Lots of other goodies were bought too. I think Richard was impressed with our shopping, not a girlie purchase in sight!
We also went to sort the most important area in our boat out, the sleeping quarters, we decided on fabrics and eventually the colour, not that Elin and I seemed to have any choice in the matter, for every colour we chose there was a reason not to choose it, we gave up and went for a yellow, all (in the shop!) agreed.
We stuck loads of sticky labels around the boat to mark where everything will go, its coming on really well. We also had a serious conversation about the very important toileting facilities on the boat, well lack of. We have decided a bedpan placed at the stern will work best, that was Elin's idea, we reckon it will work a treat and if it doesn't, no doubt we'll be in touch and fill you in on the details!!!
Herdip
The first day I was greeted with Elin sprawled out on deck, but she was working not sunbathing, she was screwing in the sliding rails, so if I go flying off my seat in the middle of the Atlantic I know who to blame!!!
We also went on a shopping spree, no girls not for a pair of JIMMY CHOO shoes unfortunately, I was dragged to Homebase. We got our tool box and all the bits to go into it, lots of spanners and other metal objects. We also got our cooker, it was cool trying it out, however doing the maths in the middle of the shop about how much gas one requires for a certain period of time was not so cool.Lots of other goodies were bought too. I think Richard was impressed with our shopping, not a girlie purchase in sight!
We also went to sort the most important area in our boat out, the sleeping quarters, we decided on fabrics and eventually the colour, not that Elin and I seemed to have any choice in the matter, for every colour we chose there was a reason not to choose it, we gave up and went for a yellow, all (in the shop!) agreed.
We stuck loads of sticky labels around the boat to mark where everything will go, its coming on really well. We also had a serious conversation about the very important toileting facilities on the boat, well lack of. We have decided a bedpan placed at the stern will work best, that was Elin's idea, we reckon it will work a treat and if it doesn't, no doubt we'll be in touch and fill you in on the details!!!
Herdip
Monday, 23 July 2007
Herdip report!
What a week! My brain hurts (as does Elin's!) There is no excuse for either of us getting lost anymore, because we've passed our navigation course! Also managed sea survival, First Aid, and VHF radio course!)
It's been a tough week. First day involved learning all about "Mayday's, Pan Pan and Secruite!".
Luckily, Elin and I were good little students and practised our phonetic alphabet on the way down, using car number plates!
Sea survival involved an afternoon at the local pool, it was great fun and I managed to get into the liferaft on my own: good effort I thought! We looked fab in our clothes, swimming caps and life jackets, especially Elin! Our team (6 boys + us!) very nearly managed to give a slightly older man a panic attache after throwing endless buckets of water at him! Oops! Luckily all was fine.
The really hard work began on Monday!. Maths like you've never seen before! My head was hurting! IO think I had a bit of a strop because my brain couldn't cope at one point and Elin was still trying to figure out North & South! Anyway, it all clicked sand we managed to pass. We can now plot our position on a graph, draw a map from scratch - pretty impressive I reckon! Mind you, Elin did cause me some concern when she said that you'd cross the Atlantic in the summer as it would be nice and sunny! Never mind the hurricane alert Elin!
One major impressive achievement is that we weren't late once during the whole week!!! Yipeee!!!
Final note: I've never done so much homework in my life, and never again!
It's been a tough week. First day involved learning all about "Mayday's, Pan Pan and Secruite!".
Luckily, Elin and I were good little students and practised our phonetic alphabet on the way down, using car number plates!
Sea survival involved an afternoon at the local pool, it was great fun and I managed to get into the liferaft on my own: good effort I thought! We looked fab in our clothes, swimming caps and life jackets, especially Elin! Our team (6 boys + us!) very nearly managed to give a slightly older man a panic attache after throwing endless buckets of water at him! Oops! Luckily all was fine.
The really hard work began on Monday!. Maths like you've never seen before! My head was hurting! IO think I had a bit of a strop because my brain couldn't cope at one point and Elin was still trying to figure out North & South! Anyway, it all clicked sand we managed to pass. We can now plot our position on a graph, draw a map from scratch - pretty impressive I reckon! Mind you, Elin did cause me some concern when she said that you'd cross the Atlantic in the summer as it would be nice and sunny! Never mind the hurricane alert Elin!
One major impressive achievement is that we weren't late once during the whole week!!! Yipeee!!!
Final note: I've never done so much homework in my life, and never again!
Thursday, 19 July 2007
finally another update!
sorry for being slack and not keeping you updated on progess!
it's been eventful if not always productive!
we've passsed our RYA Ocean Yachtmaster, Sea Survival and First Aid (that one was a bit hit and miss!) but Herdip will tell you all about our coures drama soon!
The most IMPORTANT news of all is that we have a corporate sponsor! SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! You have no idea. Mapeley came through a friend of a patient, so it's a very special link and one that I'm sure will work well! Thank you Jamie, from the bottom of our hearts!
Our boat is delayed! Aaarrrggghhh! With the boat builder on a 3 week holiday now! Double aaarrrghhh! Fingers crossed it won't be further delayed than August the 24th, the date which they are now working to.
19 weeks to go! Off walking Breacon Beacons to help my training and prepare me for isolation, tranquility and beautiful scenery ...
it's been eventful if not always productive!
we've passsed our RYA Ocean Yachtmaster, Sea Survival and First Aid (that one was a bit hit and miss!) but Herdip will tell you all about our coures drama soon!
The most IMPORTANT news of all is that we have a corporate sponsor! SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! You have no idea. Mapeley came through a friend of a patient, so it's a very special link and one that I'm sure will work well! Thank you Jamie, from the bottom of our hearts!
Our boat is delayed! Aaarrrggghhh! With the boat builder on a 3 week holiday now! Double aaarrrghhh! Fingers crossed it won't be further delayed than August the 24th, the date which they are now working to.
19 weeks to go! Off walking Breacon Beacons to help my training and prepare me for isolation, tranquility and beautiful scenery ...
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
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 ...
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 ...
Thursday, 3 May 2007
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!!!!!
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!!!!!
Thursday, 26 April 2007
I did it (just!)
Well ... I've done the London marathon! 5 hrs 19 minutes!
Been there, done that, and got the t shirt as they say ... BUT IT WASN'T PRETTY!
We arrived at 9:38am; just in time to join the masses!
Mile 1 - I felt GOOD!
Mile 3 - I developed a headache!
Mile 5 - my trainers started sticking to the road where all the spilt Lucozade was becoming warm and sticky!
Mile 10 - I ate my warm and soggy banana which I'd carried around with me carefully so far ...
Mile 13 - I had to take my t shirt off and wrap it around my head to protect me from the sun ...
Mile 17 - I started to run with my fingers in my ears to protect me from the excruciating high noise level coming from the crowd...
Mile 25 - I was stopped by a steward and told I had to have my race number showing ... (I think it was a polite way of telling me to cover myself up more!)
... and finally I stumbled over the finishing line!
Of course, Dip's was over an hour faster than me ... but I think (on the quiet!) that she found it tough going too ... but that's a story for her to tell ...
31 weeks till the Atlantic ... at least there will be no noise and crowds there!
Been there, done that, and got the t shirt as they say ... BUT IT WASN'T PRETTY!
We arrived at 9:38am; just in time to join the masses!
Mile 1 - I felt GOOD!
Mile 3 - I developed a headache!
Mile 5 - my trainers started sticking to the road where all the spilt Lucozade was becoming warm and sticky!
Mile 10 - I ate my warm and soggy banana which I'd carried around with me carefully so far ...
Mile 13 - I had to take my t shirt off and wrap it around my head to protect me from the sun ...
Mile 17 - I started to run with my fingers in my ears to protect me from the excruciating high noise level coming from the crowd...
Mile 25 - I was stopped by a steward and told I had to have my race number showing ... (I think it was a polite way of telling me to cover myself up more!)
... and finally I stumbled over the finishing line!
Of course, Dip's was over an hour faster than me ... but I think (on the quiet!) that she found it tough going too ... but that's a story for her to tell ...
31 weeks till the Atlantic ... at least there will be no noise and crowds there!
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