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So it arrived at last, my next Clipper installment. L2 is designed to consolidate the basics and also push on to the next level of sailing knowledge. I joined with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Will I be good enough? Will I remember anything?
Fortunatly we had a fantastic skipper, Simon, and first mate, Carol, who put us through our paces with a mixture of humour and fun but always with a full explanation of why and how to go about things in a safe and efficent way. They asked us a million questions and we did the same of them, so I definitely feel I've learnt something. And as always the mix of people was really interesting. I had a great time and have made some new friends along the way. I will always ask for the tea order with a smile and think of David and his northern accent saying " How many teas, white, one?" The reply back - can I have coffee or a hot chocolate? David " You're not f*****g listening, how many tea, white, one?!!!!" And of course endless renditions of 'Let it go' from Frozen when we were tacking and spinning off the sheets. Thanks for that Carol!
We started the course with a day of sea survival traning including how to abandon ship, enter a liferaft and how to stay alive until rescue. Great fun but a sobering thought if it were for real. We also practice Man Overboard drills alot you'll be pleased to hear!
We didn't have much wind this week but at least that gave us the chance to put ourselves through our paces, tacking, gybing, MOB drills - practice, practice, practice. The sun gave us all a rosy glow in the pub at the end of the week! We even chased down a Peppa Pig Balloon.
Sea sickness got to a few of us, some more than others. Fortunately I took some tablets and forced myself to eat and drink and after 24 hours it was ok. I hope it doesn't put the others off as they were such a great bunch. Sea sickness is so debilitataing - damm you inner ear!
We sailed up and down the solent and did our first over night passage which went well. Back to watch keeping - tiring but my Gauss sleeping bag was a triumph - warm and cosy - and oh so welcome after coming off deck. I slept like a baby.
So L3 starts tomorrow. Out on a Clipper 70 for the week after some more sea safety training.
I have moments when this seems like a dream. It really is me doing this. I have moments when it's frightening and overwhelming. It really is me doing this. Big oceans, Big waves. So far, Big smiles.
L3 here I come! xxxx
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