Getting ready.....

Whilst I was interviewed by Radio Stoke this morning, Roger skippered Blue Star on her journey to Hythe ready for the big sail away on Sunday!

Me being interviewed by Lee Blakeman for Radio Stoke

Blue Star arrives at Hythe marina (photo courtesy of the marina office)

Guest Blog Post from Dan.......

Here is a reminder about the purpose of this sailing trip, and why it's so important to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Cystic fibrosis affects around 10,000 people in the UK and causes problems mainly with the lungs and the digestive system, with both becoming clogged with thick mucus.

Currently the median age of survival for someone with cystic fibrosis is 41 years old. Each week five babies are born with cystic fibrosis, and two people die.
There is currently no cure, but the condition can be managed with medication, physio, exercise and nutrition.

The condition affects everyone differently, but for many it involves a rigorous daily treatment regime including physiotherapy, oral, nebulised and occasionally intravenous antibiotics, and taking enzyme tablets with food. Some people with cystic fibrosis will have a feeding tube overnight.

For those who are very ill with cystic fibrosis and with very poor lung function, daily life can be a struggle as basic tasks can leave them breathless. Some patients use a wheelchair to get around, and use oxygen to help them breathe.

Five years ago I would have regularly joined my father on his sailing trips for a few weeks at a time, and it is an indication of the nature of the illness that these days that is simply not possible as I am not well enough.

I am delighted that he has decided to do this as the money raised will go towards funding vital research into new treatments and improving day to day living standards for those battling the condition, and I wish him all the best for his fantastic adventure.

Dan Goodwin

Shakedown week over.....

....so we finished off our shakedown week with visits from Kevin, and from Jean-Francois and from Chris. Finally.....the wind subsided and we were able to go to Lymington where we had the electric circuit powering the bow-thruster checked out, and on Friday we went sailing in Southampton Water - see the following film clip: Pieces of Eight 2 - Shakedown week sailing in Southampton Water

In Southampton Water I spotted a small boat out sailing ...Kudu! Was it the same Kudu filmed during the attempted circumnavigation by Nathan Whitworth - see https://www.youtube.com/user/onkudu - I guess probably not?

The boat heels over in the strong winds!

Margaret and Geoff leave without a sail, but hopefully they had a good time! (Many thanks for your donation Margaret and Geoff!)

J-F and Chris (Roger in yellow) enjoying sailing in Southampton Water

Cliff with Ace when we got back

Unfortunately Dan is still in hospital, and Jess is not well either :-(, so Diane is looking after Ace.

The week has been important, and we managed to:
* rig the sails (yep, pretty important for this exercise!)
* fix a water leak from the engine (thanks to Kevin's eagle eye)
* fit dan-buoy and fire blanket
* check that the reefing systems worked OK
* noted that there seemed to be no more water leaked from the anchor locker area, although we are still suspicious of this potential problem
* note that the auto-pilot doesn't work properly (when selected, the boat goes immediately into a tight spin, pirouetting almost on the spot! Very alarming when we first selected it!)
* check that the anchor windlass works OK
* figured out how to use the bow-thruster (you have to turn it on first!)
* became acquainted with our new chartplotter
* noted that the wind speed indicator is a bit temperamental - works some times and not others - not sure why
* note that the starter battery had become discharged - we charged it up again and it seems OK now, but we'll need to monitor it

....and our new radar will be fitted next week hopefully; we get the auto-pilot checked out too.

Then we're ready to go!

Update from shakedown cruise....

First of all we had Madeline and Jeanette join us on board - there first time on a yacht. It was a 'bit blowy' on Sunday so we didn't sail until Monday, when the wind was somewhat lighter. They had a great time, and would like to sail again with us when the opportunity arises. Roger's friend Bob also joined us for the day, and also enjoyed himself and said he might be interested in the Cape Wrath leg! (Sign him up!).

Cliff stand on the pontoon chatting with Bob and Madeline

Madeline shares a joke with Jeanette

On returning to the marina there was a coming together of a boat (ours) and an anchor (not ours) - result: Anchor 1 Boat 0 and a bent stanchion (now replaced) and some hull polishing needed. Lesson about manoeuvring a yacht in a strong cross tide and wind re-learned! Ouch!

The other great thing that happened was that we brought our 'new' outboard motor, for use with inflatable dinghy, on board. We bought it of a very kind man from Lymington, Mr Pitt-Pitts, who I cannot help but notice has made a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Thank you very much Brian - we have not met, but we are very grateful for your support!

 Our 'new' outboard

By Tuesday the wind had built up to storm force 10! No sailing. but the yacht was careering around like crazy despite being in a marina 2 mile upriver! The forecast for tomorrow is similar, so no sailing likely, which is disappointing for Margaret and Geoff who have joined us for a few days. It seems they will return home having not sailed, but they are still having a nice time on board.

Way..heyyy!!!! .......We met Tracy Edwards!!!!

Round the world race sailor Tracy Edwards, holder of many world records in sailing and all round super-woman, came to give a presentation at Stafford Coastal Cruising Club last night! Suffice to say it was brilliant! Many of us bought copies of Tracy's book, all she had been able to bring, and had it signed by her. Fantastic!

Tracy with me

Tracy with Pat Garnett (past Commodore of SCCC) and me

Pieces of Eight!

OK! I managed to make a short video of the launch of Blue Star. I will try to do several videos during our figure of 8 trip around Great Britain. You can see all the links on the Videos page to the blog.

It took me ages to make the first one - you probably think its still rubbish, but I think I've spent long enough on it.

Here is the link anyway:
Pieces of Eight 1: Blue Star goes back into the water, April 2015

Back into the wet stuff......

The boat finally went back into the drink a few days ago. Roger and I spent a few days doing maintenance jobs and checking for leaks etc, after Blue Star was lowered back into the water. There were a few 'egg cups' of water and oil, and we are trying to track down their source. Not easy. There were lots of other 'simple' jobs that needed doing too, but when they came to be done they somehow metamorphosed into intractable time consuming activities. Even re-fitting the lazy bag took ages because for some strange reason the support batons wouldn't fit into their pockets. We ended up sawing the ends off to make them fit! We wondered whether the bag had shrunk during valeting? Still more jobs to do....but we are getting there!

Here are some photos of the boat being taken by the tractor to the crane, the crane putting the boat back into the water, and a photo of Roger christening the boat with a glass of champagne!