All set, ready to go!

Just your average stroll through Dartmouth with Paul, carrying a spinnaker pole through the streets and then on to the dinghy! We are all ready for tomorrow now...

Our beautiful spinnaker sail!

Raven Round Sainsbury's...

The boat is now fully stocked with food after a thrilling trip to Sainsbury's...

A visit to Downton Primary School

Last week I was asked by my daughter Laura to visit her year 2 class to talk about my trip. Their topic is 'Coast to Coast' and they are learning about the coast line of the British Isles. We had a great afternoon - especially when some of them had the opportunity to inflate life jackets and blow the horn! Laura and her class are going to track my journey as they learn about the coast. See videos and more photos of the children and I here: http://www.downton-pri.wilts.sch.uk/children/year-2

Poor Raven has no mast!

This week has been a very eventful one! Earlier in the week we sailed Raven to Plymouth to the riggers to have a complete check up.
On Thursday I received a phone call from the riggers to say they had removed the mast and it had a serious crack in it! Serious enough that it was too dangerous to sail around Britain!
After a day of stressful phone calls to the riggers and a get together with Richard we decided to have a new mast.
The riggers have promised Raven will be ready with a few days to spare before we set off on May 3rd!
I have a few more grey hairs this weekend!

Raven in Force 6 from Brixham to Dartmouth

Here is a little taster of what to expect during the forthcoming trip - now only two months away! If you cannot watch this video, follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4f6aV4R9LU

RAVEN OUT OF THE WATER

This weekend in-between the storms I've been giving Raven its annual anti fouling. Lots to do before Raven goes back in the water in early March!

Not long now!

I have decided to start this blog to inform family, friends and fellow crew about my preparation for the journey. Hopefully, I will be able to continue this blog when I am on board!
The boat is currently out of the water in Kingswear, having a thorough health check and annual maintenance. I have been busy buying charts, a wind generator, an extra anchor and an AIS transmitter.

I will endeavour to update this blog as a record and memory of my experiences. Not long now!