Time flies when you're singing and being sick!

We all got up bright, early and hyperly and were treated to a very prompt breakfast in Tarbert. There was great excitement for porridge made by Lizzy and Elisha, which did not disappoint, although Millie found it very difficult to clean. After listening to the scary weather forecast about the terrible weather that lay ahead, we all got ready to get moving for the day. Whilst waiting to set off we were all very amused by the crazy accents that people can do, and were most impressed by Hannah’s Borat impression.


We got going on the route planned last night, aiming to get to Lamlash on the Isle of Arran, 45 nautical miles away. We soon realized the seas were a lot stormier than yesterday, and so only sailed on a reefed mizzen and genoa – yet still achieved speeds of nearly 8 knots. Maddie and Nadia soon started to feel queasy and Bertie the Bucket was quickly employed into action. To pass the time (and to stop the sickness) we all enjoyed singing a wide variety of songs including: 1996 by the Wombats (a team favourite), ABBA, Queen and Avril Lavigne hits. Another sure fav ewas ‘Oh no he’s turned emo’ by the Lancashire Hotpots, and a variety of made up songs including ‘Mr Salmon’ and ‘Jacinta, Jacinta’.

Today was extremely cold in the northerly winds, and many of us were feeling the cold significantly. Even though we all had many layers on (Nadia had 5 layers on the bottom and 7 on the top) we all were very shivery and chilly and also enjoyed the addition of some wintry showers (so basically snow). Well Done and thanks to Elisha who dared to stick her head out the cockpit and endure the winds and rain in order to expertly steer us in the right directions.

We decided to slightly change our course to anchor up in Carradale Bay for a late lunch at 1430. This was a welcome break where everyone got the opportunity to warm up, relax and eat brill jacket potatoes with cheesy beans/tuna. This was followed by some fab hot drinks and chocolate. No one wanted to return back on deck, but with a new destination planned of Campbeltown, (closer and more easily achievable than Lamlash) we all headed back up for another stint.

When it was time to pull up the anchor after lunch, Lizzy was given the extremely important and responsible job of ‘shaking the trunk’ which is essential in taking up the anchor and enabling us to sail again. Lizzy started off with good intentions, but soon got waylaid as she ‘thought it was time to stop’ so sat back on deck, unaware of the trouble she was causing below. The anchor chain clogged up and blew a fuse, leaving us with some problems and Millie and Elisha a lot of manual work to pull up the anchor on deck (as well as back ache).

The afternoon was similar to the morning – sailing downwind and gybing south, with more queasiness and stormy seas, and winds touching to gale force 8 at times. We finally arrived at Campbeltown Jetty and were happy to moor up for the night. After a wild and windy day, everyone is now feeling happy, well, healthy and warm, looking forward to Chicken Korma and Apple Crumble.

Lots of love to all parents and avid readers of the blog! XXX

Written by Nadia and Maddie

Read more about Sail Training on board Tenacity of Bolton at http://www.tenacityofbolton.org/