053:19.274 N
004:38.177 W

Holyhead ….. London

I’ve just returned from 24hrs of stepping into a parallel universe; a 4hr train ride took me from rolling around on TC on a mooring in Holyhead Harbour in 30 knots to an absolutely magical 3hrs in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

Having met up with Isabelle Catherine and Lynn last night, we joined 3,000 young people and their one guest today to celebrate the awesome achievement of Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. The sun shone throughout and the place was buzzing with energy and optimism.

Having only managed Bronze myself, I spent the morning basking in Isabelle’s reflected glory. After tea and exquisitely crafted cupcakes marking 70 years of the DofE scheme, we gathered to listen Prince Edward Duke of Edinburgh welcoming us all and congratulating the young.

He then introduced several inspirational speakers who told us their stories of unimaginable determination and hardship, overcoming obstacles placed in their path (either born with disabilities or having endured some ghastly accident) but all led to where and who they are today.

Their messages were the same throughout, make the most of life, push boundaries, keep a positive mindset of ‘what can I do next’ and ultimately follow your heart not your head to find ultimate happiness.

We hope that some of their messages will stick and help those present be guided and encouraged to continue with their DofE journey in some other way, it was certainly a powerful theme.

4hrs back north and I’m now back on TC with Bol who has been bobbing at the mooring all day, doing some DIY and watching the anemometer gusting 25-30 knots throughout the day.