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Eric went off on his own on
this one, so here's his account.
Just for a change from fell walking, I had a go at crewing an 80 tonne yacht. Andrew Harris, who is involved in the Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race, 2004-2005, had invited me down to Southampton.
Thursday night was a chance to meet other crewmembers at a dinner at Charlie Chan's restaurant, which was only a five-minute walk from the boats. Most of us then slept on the boats, which was in itself quite a challenge, those bunks take some getting used too.
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Up before seven and after bacon butty's and coffee, we got on our wet suits and life jackets and sailed out into the
Solent. It was raining at first but cleared later, we got down to some training and got the sails out of the hold and up on the 60 foot mast, no mean task.
We spent all morning on ropes and winch's and making sure we ducked when that boom came across.
After a light lunch it was race time the three yachts lined up outside Cowes and away we went. It was always very close and the competition was certainly keen. It was blowing a gale force five gale, which meant that the boat did a lot of tossing and dipping. It was a hectic two hours, but very exciting and wet. It was great to be able to experience what being on an ocean going yacht is really like. I wish all those taking part in the Round the World race on October 3rd 2004 all the very best, they will be away for ten months and go the wrong way round, when they get to Cape Horn.
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