Crew Preparations

Location: Walthamstow, London

Blogger:  Jenny

So, dad has asked me to give a quick update of how the preparations for our departure are going in the UK. Both of us have resigned from our jobs and we have handed in our notice on our rented flat. I only have four weeks left at work. It's getting very close.

We've been busy learning about sailing and getting prepared for the trip. This began on a very cold and wet Competent Crew course in March this year in the Solent. The conditions on the last day were pretty challenging and a ripped foresail (see below) gave us a taste of the problem solving often required on board a boat.

*nb - photos taken the next day safely in Poole harbour!

Two trips with mum and dad, first from Kafalonia to Sardinia and then a couple of weeks ago from Gibraltar to the Canaries complete our limited experience. For us this gave us the chance to have a proper run at some passage making and to build on the skills we learnt on the Competent Crew course. Dad is an excellent teacher, so we've had master classes in a number of the tasks on board and now feel much more confident that we will actually be useful members of the crew. We've also had a chance to do watches on our own and are ready as we can be for the big crossing.

We also recently attended a very interesting, if slightly terrifying Sea Survival course in Southampton. We learnt a lot about "worst case scenarios" (sinking) and even had the chance to practice getting into a life raft in full wet weather gear and life jackets (in a swimming pool). We learnt loads, although hopefully it will be a complete waste of money and we will never need to put in to action any of the stuff that we learnt. Mum and dad are doing the same course in a month or so.

I am the Team Petronella Entertainments Officer so have been busy finding things for us to do during the crossing. So far the list runs to Cribbage, 3/4-part harmony singing (a recorder has been purchased), cards and cryptic crosswords. Other suggestions on a postcard please (or in the comments section). We've all also suggested meals to have on a couple of days - one fresh(ish) and one store cupboard. The world-famous pasta-tuna-mayo is going trans-Atlantic.