I keep forgetting to mention the reason I did this (go sailing that is): I want to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis and try and inspire those that are M.Sers themselves. It's pretty scary being told you have M.S. The future seems so bleak and it is easy to forget everything you are able to do now. I am wobbly, I need the loo quite frequently, I can't walk very far but I can sail (well, sort of! I'm learning).
If you'd like to donate and help fund research into m.s., visit: www.justgiving.com/ELEN-EVANS2 Thanks!
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Monday, 12 September 2011
Sail away, sail away...
We did it! Well, we sailed. The channel was too rough to cross but we had a wonderful adventure all the same. I spent 3 days in close proximity with lovely Kate (fundraising as well), Mark (braun) and John (brains); 3 wonderful people that made this happen! A summary of our adventures:
Day 1: We met in Lake Yard, Hamworthy, and got straight to work, loading up Muskateer with provisions for the next few days. John decided we would brave the channel. After 2 hours we had only made it 6 miles out. There was a 4-5 metre swell and the wind was force 5/6, gusting 7/8. All ferries had been cancelled. We were all being thrown around so I firmly wedged myself in the cockpit, concentrating on not going into the angry looking water or being sick. The captain got water up his sleeve and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. We decided to turn around. Unbeknownst to the novice wedged in the cockpit, the wind was too strong to tack and John calmly had to jibe so that we could turn around and make our way to calmer waters.
We went back to Studlands and decided we deserved a meal ashore. We got in the dinghy and headed to the pub.
Day 2 - 7.30 a.m start to hear the shipping forecast: south westerly 5-7. The channel was not a good idea so we headed to Cowes, Isle of Wight. I had a 2.5 hour stint at the helm. We were sailing down wind so lots of tacking took place and Kate tacked like a pro. Hot showers were had in the marina, tasty food was had on board and we whiled away the evening drinking wine and talking about stuff.
Day 3 - Woke up at 7.30 a.m with red wine halos to listen to the shipping forecast: force 5 but 5-7 on its way. We headed back to Studlands leisurely; I began to learn how to tack and Kate was at the helm. As we approached The Needles off the Isle of Wight, there is a rough bit of water known as The Bridge. I was sick into a bucket. Ginger biscuits helped, but a sandwich didn't.
Once back at Studlands, we cooked dinner and then went ashore where we sat outside, overlooking lovely Muskateer in the bay. Back to Muskateer for dinner and wine.
2 o'clock in the morning and Muskateer ran aground as there was an unexpected swell in the bay. We had a night time sail around to Poole harbour where we found a buoy and tied up for a calm night's sleep.
Day 4 - the final day. We slept in a bit later as we knew we wouldn't be going far and therefore didn't need to listen to the shipping forecast. We were going to have a sail around the harbour and more practice tacking but the weather changed really quickly so we had to head back to Hamworthy.
In summary, 4 days with 3 wonderful people that taught me a lot about sailing, the weather, working together and stuff!!!
Day 1: We met in Lake Yard, Hamworthy, and got straight to work, loading up Muskateer with provisions for the next few days. John decided we would brave the channel. After 2 hours we had only made it 6 miles out. There was a 4-5 metre swell and the wind was force 5/6, gusting 7/8. All ferries had been cancelled. We were all being thrown around so I firmly wedged myself in the cockpit, concentrating on not going into the angry looking water or being sick. The captain got water up his sleeve and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. We decided to turn around. Unbeknownst to the novice wedged in the cockpit, the wind was too strong to tack and John calmly had to jibe so that we could turn around and make our way to calmer waters.
We went back to Studlands and decided we deserved a meal ashore. We got in the dinghy and headed to the pub.
Day 2 - 7.30 a.m start to hear the shipping forecast: south westerly 5-7. The channel was not a good idea so we headed to Cowes, Isle of Wight. I had a 2.5 hour stint at the helm. We were sailing down wind so lots of tacking took place and Kate tacked like a pro. Hot showers were had in the marina, tasty food was had on board and we whiled away the evening drinking wine and talking about stuff.
Day 3 - Woke up at 7.30 a.m with red wine halos to listen to the shipping forecast: force 5 but 5-7 on its way. We headed back to Studlands leisurely; I began to learn how to tack and Kate was at the helm. As we approached The Needles off the Isle of Wight, there is a rough bit of water known as The Bridge. I was sick into a bucket. Ginger biscuits helped, but a sandwich didn't.
Once back at Studlands, we cooked dinner and then went ashore where we sat outside, overlooking lovely Muskateer in the bay. Back to Muskateer for dinner and wine.
2 o'clock in the morning and Muskateer ran aground as there was an unexpected swell in the bay. We had a night time sail around to Poole harbour where we found a buoy and tied up for a calm night's sleep.
Day 4 - the final day. We slept in a bit later as we knew we wouldn't be going far and therefore didn't need to listen to the shipping forecast. We were going to have a sail around the harbour and more practice tacking but the weather changed really quickly so we had to head back to Hamworthy.
In summary, 4 days with 3 wonderful people that taught me a lot about sailing, the weather, working together and stuff!!!
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Sailing adventure continued
Now I am in Hamworthy, Poole, psyching myself up for the sail beginning tomorrow. The weather is blowy, wet and grey but i hope the sun will be shining on me tomorrow!
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Sailing adventure
Next Wednesday I am setting sail from Poole on an adventure across the wild seas of the English channel, sailing around the channel islands and back to Poole 4 days later. I decided to set myself this challenge a few months ago as it is something I have always wanted to do and I decided to combine it with raising money and awareness of multiple sclerosis. I myself am an M.Ser so it really will be a challenge keeping my balance and not falling in the water. I can swim though so it will all be fine.
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