Have your bottom checked....

......and have everything else checked too for that matter! BS was hauled out of the water to be inspected by the surveyor today. We await his report with anticipation......

Blue Star ready for inspection

Yum Yum!!

One of Roger's other skills, in addition to sailing, is his recently acquired ability to produce very tasty scones!
I look forward to eating lots more of these on BS during our circumnavigation!

Mmmmmm!

MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm! Yum Yum!

It was freezing.....!!!!!

Recently got back home after doing a 'test sail' on Blue Star on a very cold February day; we wanted to do this before completing the purchase of the yacht. She sailed like a dream in a very cold northerly F3 on a flat sea. We are now just awaiting the surveyor's report before we hand over a ridiculously large amount of cash! Are we crazy?!!

But it will be fun!!!!!!

And hopefully we will raise lots of money for my favourite charity!

We went over to the Isle-of-Wight in a fast motor-cruiser! We got bounced around and could barely speak to each other because of the noise. It confirmed to me that sailing is what I like best!

Anyway, you can see some photos and a short video from day of the test sail below. I hope that you like them!

Blue Star

Roger introducing Blue Star

Roger and I with our new toy

Diane wearing CF tee-shirt

Modeling my Woolcool sweat shirt

A cold sailing day!

 

A short video taken while trying to keep warm!

The Blue Star quilt.....

My sister-in-law, Susan, a brilliant, prize-winning quilter, is joining in with the Blue Star fund-raising spirit by making a quilt with blue stars on it! Mmmm, that will keep someone nice and warm! Quilt shown below in its initial stages of manufacture. Looking good so far! More later!

Woolcool are well cool!

Woolcool recently handed over a cheque as their contribution to the charity coffers. The venue was South Staffs Sailing Club and we were hosted by Neil Hawkins of SSSC:

 Me with cheque, Hannah (left, Woolcool), Angela (CEO of Woolcool) and Keith (MD of Woolcool)

 I shake hands with Neil while Hannah looks on

I get to put my arms around two lovely ladies! I knew there was an 'up side' to this project!

Woolcool have been just so helpful! I do so appreciate their support!

And next.....

It has been a good week.

On Monday I met with Neil Hawkins from South Staffs Sailing Club; Neil kindly allowed us to use SSSC as a venue for our photoshoot - I will post some images shortly! It was a 'bit cold', but a great venue. South Staffs SC is a very strong club and has a strong GP14 class, which is the boat that I started my sailing with many years ago (about 20 plus if you must know).

Also Rob, one of my sailing friends has helped to find a contact at the clothing chain 'next'. They have agreed to donate £500 to our cause! Brilliant! Thank you next!

.....and finally, we have a date for our trial sail on Blue Star prior to completing the purchase! We shall sail from the Isle of Wight to Swanwick on 3 February. The weather forecast appears to be: cloudy, 9 degreesC, wind speed 20mph gusting 35mph. Hmmm. Should be good!

Cheers!

The sun is shining (is it really winter?!) and my health has improved somewhat. Woolcool have arranged for a photo shoot next week, to help to raise the profile of our GB challenge and hopefully to interest others too. Thank you Woolcool, brilliant! You are so supportive, and I really appreciate it!

Did I mention the 'Sail Away' party? This is likely to be held at a south coast venue on the weekend of the 16/17 May, and will feature a presentation about the GB challenge, a dinner, a celebrity presence (tbc), a viewing of Blue Star, and of course the sail away itself! More details later!

I am also really looking forward to the visit of Tracy Edwards to present to Stafford Coastal Cruising Club! It is a real honour to have someone of Tracy's standing to visit us. Tickets for this event will go on sale soon at the Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford, where the club is hosting the event. Don't miss out!

Cheers!