The build up
training that we have endured so far, has consisted of being cold and wet most
of the time. Fighting to get your oillies on and off at watch change, with the
added fun of being thrown about in a force 8 gale. This weekend
has proven to be the opposite, lovely flat seas with a light breeze and a gentle
swell. With the sun shining all week end! This time it was putting the sun cream
on every couple of hours and having the privilege of cooking on a flat cooker!!!
Without much
wind we still got loads of good training in, with anchor drills. A refresher of
bring the yacht along side. This was nicely done by the Mate Terry. Once clear of Portsmouth harbour and in the open Solent, every one of the crew had a go at driving the
yacht around in a nice big circle, under engine to pick a fender up out of the
water. This is the main part of the drill used for man over board. Good reminders of all the things we have
already forgotten from our weeks away. We then went over to Osbourne bay to put
the anchor down for a cup of tea. Our next chat through lesson was about putting
the spinnaker pole up. After we had the chat we split into two teams and we all
had a go at setting it up, it took 3 people to lift the pole out.
After we
picked up the anchor we headed for Cowes for the night “Stu the
student” or “tape worm” as he has become
affectionately known managed to prepare (under close instruction from Rachel)
scrummy fajitas in a very hot galley.
Once we had moored safely in Cowes we enjoyed our dinner al fresco style in
the cockpit of Adventure. It was such a nice warm evening, it was nice to eat
our tea and watch the world go by.
By 0700 on Sunday morning
we were all well ‘lubed’ up as protection against the hot May sun. After a deck
picnic breakfast we set off to Osborne Bay for more MoB drills. Under the slow chug of the engine we
headed back to Gosport. We had an hour or two
with Adventure's fault book out, fixing
all the small little jobs which needs to be kept on top of on a big yacht. With
the yacht moored alongside her home berth at JSASTC by Rachel (I don’t know what all the fuss is
about parking one of these things!!!) it was time to put her to
bed (all the sails folded and put away neatly, ropes coiled and water tanks
filled) it was then time for the big clean. A good weekend and we can't
wait for the trip!!
And from Terry
Hackett (our guest Mate for the
weekend) …
Reflections from the outside….
I was fortunate in having a SPS study day cancelled at late notice, so I
was able to come along as mate for my first time on a CH 67, and a more significant first, the
privilege of sailing with Windy for the very first
time.
The boat was kept busy alongside with a refresher on the anchor; how to
get it out from the forepeak and into the roller and the boat was prepared for
sea. I got my hands on the helm for
the first time as we came off the pontoon and back on again. As the winds were to light to sail it
was decided to give the crew chance to helm the yacht picking up a buoy. Even in light winds, remember the wind
line – don’t hoof it up wind! We
then set off to Osbourne Bay, putting a reef in along the way and
shaking out again, deployed the anchor.
The windlass now works!
Never one to sit around, there then followed a lesson on rigging the
pole. The three man lift was simple enough in a mill pond. As the trip up will not be a race you
will not have the delights of rigging whilst on the beat ready to round the mark
and will get chance to do this for real in slow time, just remember the front
end can bite. There are 7 bits of
string that control the kite, add the thee for the no 1 that is 10 in
total. Flying the kit will be fun, just remember to keep them all in board if
the skipper starts the iron sail.
Anchor up and into our reserved slot in Cowes yacht haven. Convinced that you needed a passport the
crew stayed on board for the meal cooked
by two of the students, and an excellent meal it was. There appeared to be a few issues at bed time. Buy your ear defence in bulk from
http://members.aol.com/lucydellearplugs/ before
you leave.
Next morning I took the yacht off the pontoon and we headed over to
Browndown to play chase the buoy again before returning to the pontoon with
Rachel at the helm.
I last saw the crew on the selection weekends and it was good to see
first hand how they had developed.
Next time they board the boat it will be for three weeks of 4 on 4
off. In sailing, you never go to
sea without learning something and at the start of your sailing life, it can
seem overwhelming. Richard and
Windy will bring you back safely.
Listen to what you are told and ask if you do not understand. Within a few days the rhythm of the sea
will settle things down. If you see
something that needs doing, do it, don’t wait to be asked. Take every opportunity to learn about
the boat and sailing and I will see you on the pontoon as Gosport or as part of Transglobe.
Terry Hackett
