Sailing at Last!

This morning we awoke at about 6.30 for the first time and then snoozed again before getting up properly at about 7.00. For breakfast we had scrambled eggs on toast expertly made by Matthew, Max, Dougy and Josh.

After a tidy up we spent some time looking at and learning about all the safety items on the boat such as our life jackets and waterproofs, flares, life rings, life rafts etc..

At 11.20 we set off from our berth in Glasson and waited in the middle of the marina pond for the lock gate to open, the lock keepers were a little preoccupied painting their fences so we had to wait a little longer than we thought we would. The locking down was fairly swift but then again when we got to the bottom basin we had to wait for an age for the sea lock to be opened. From Glasson we travelled down the River Lune and so into the Irish Sea (well Morecambe bay really).

The sea started off quite flat but gradually the swell got larger. We set our Genoa (the sail at the front of the boat) to help push the boat along and then soon after as we got to the deeper water we set the Mizzen followed by the mainsail. The engine was turned off and we were sailing totally under wind power. Alex started to feel sick as the swell increased in size and then not long after was sick and amazingly totally kept his sense of humour.

Because of all of the shallow water in Morecambe bay we had to go along way around to get to Peil. We had to navigate along channels from Glasson to find the deep water and then also up a channel to get to Peil Island. The channels are all marked by green and red marker bouys. While we were out in the Bay we saw the wind farm that is off Barrow.

We are now anchored near Peil Island in a sheltered place for the night. For tea we had caramelised pork chops with stir fried veg and rice followed by a very popular chocolate fondue. Tonights meal was cooked by Port watch which is Dougie, Max, Mat and josh.

Written by Matt and Ollie