Falanda Sailing

 I had my first public talk at the Southampton Boat Show on Saturday, which, although completely terrifying, turned out alright!  I managed to get all I wanted to say out, despite being so nervous that I said it in just over 20 mins, half the allocated time! Not sure if anyone could actually understand what I was saying, but they seemed to like the baby pictures, and I got to announce my next plan: The Mini Transat 2023!  Immediately after I'd finished, it was @Murdoch McGregors turn, and he talked about his trip around Britain, as the oldest person to ever do so! He told his story brilliantly, and I was even invited up for some pictures with him, at the end!  I got to spend the rest of the day walking round the boatshow, and of course, talking to as many people, and businesses, as possible!  However, unfortunately I also have some bad news; after an sending an email to the Mini Transat organisers a while back, to make sure there isn't an age limit for the race...

 I set off, this June, following my dream of singlehandedly sailing around Britain, not expecting anything to come of it. I had an amazing, but challenging time, and returned back to Topsham as the youngest person to do so. To be nominated for two YJA awards before even returning back to school, was a massive surprise, and I was honestly taken aback. On Friday, I attended the awards ceremony at the Grand Cafe, in Southampton, and was completely honoured just to be there, amongst some of the most successful sailors on the planet. I'm not sure you can imagine my amazement when I was announced winner of both the YJA Stoneways Marine Young Jounalist of the year, and YJA Stoneways Marine Young Sailor of the Year awards.  Being presented with the awards was amazing, (although slightly embarassing, as I hadn't a clue what to say, and the incredible gold medalist, Shirley Robertson soon announced that I found interviews boring!!). As well as being shocked that I had actually won them,...

Completely amazing to have been nominated for 3 awards following my trip around Britan this summer!  I have been shortlisted for the YJA Marine Young Sailor of the year, and YJA Marine Young Journalist of the year awards, for which I have been invited to the award ceremony this friday. It's great to been nominated for such amazing awards, I never imaged the trip would lead to anything so incredible!  I have also been nominated for the Seahorse Sailor Of The Month award, which you can have a look at via the link below, and of course vote for me if you like!! https://seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month Yachting Journalists' Association   Seahorse Sailing Magazine

 After a failed attempt to cross the channel on Thursday with mum, I spent the whole of Friday varnishing and cleaning aboard Falanda. On Saturday we  took both boats down the river to Exmouth, where stayed for a few nights for some quiet. On Sunday I took a friend for a sail, when we got to try out my spinnaker again, and swim off of Falanda, whilst sailing! The wind soon picked up however, so we got a nice sail in (accompanied by dolphins!), before I found out the stitching on the Jib was starting to go. On Monday morning mum showed me how to repair the stitching on the jib, before we headed back out to sea, heading for France! Because of Covid restrictions, we knew we couldn't actually land in France, so sailed to a point 12 miles off the coast, before turning around and sailing back again! There was plenty of wind, so we had a cracking sail the entire way, with 2 reefs in the main to reassure mum that the mast wouldn't fall down. Reaching the french border at 2am, we celeb...

 Yesterday, after a gentle sail at under 3kts for about 10 hrs, the wind died completely, and we decided to head back in towards the Exe. The forcast (origionally 15+kts!) gave the wind dropping even more overnight, and neither of us fancied drifting about in the Shipping lanes in the dark. This meant we had to motor up the Exe in the dark, which is never easy with the hundreds of moorings, and mud banks dotted all over the place. Luckily we were in by midnight, and Falanda is now sitting nicely on her mooring in topsham. Special thanks to our local boatyard, W Trout & Son, who have supported me before, and during my trip around Britain. They have been really helpful, offering easy access berthing, craning, and great advise.  You may remember I found a leak in Falanda's hull only days before setting off in June. Trouts boatyard were able to lift her out the water overnight, while me and dad sorted the problem out, and checked the bottom. They have always been there to help...

 The first couple of days back after a big trip are always hard, and despite being hectic, the last few days have dragged out slowly. I've been busy doing (lots) of interviews, which are always slightly embarrasing, and boring to do. After it being just me and Falanda for so long, its weird to have to talk to people, and get used to life at home again. With all the night trips, and early starts, me and dad were almost in a state of mental tiredness for the duration of the trip, but after a while, you get used to it. Because sometimes you are leaving port at the dead of night, and arriving at the next one early the following day, its quite a strange feeling to walk up at 2am, completely rested, and raring to get going again. Sometimes I found myself sitting in the cockpit at 3am, holding the tiller, just waiting for the next day to arrive.  At sea, managing sleap is one of the most important things, because with coastal sailing, you have to be awake and alert all the time. Espe...

At 82, Murdoch McGregor has become the oldest person to sail around britain, in his little boat 'Artemis'. I was lucky enough to meet him in Oban, as our paths crossed - Murdoch went clockwise, the opposite way round to me.  Murdoch is raising money for Mental Health UK , and has already raised almost £8000. I think he chose a brilliant charity to support, and although some people struggle a lot more than others with their mental health, it's important we try and support each other. Falanda has helped me, but there are many others without access to boats, or the sea, or as many kind people I am surrounded by. Help Murdoch reach his fundraising target, as he has just done an amazing job of his circumnavigation - at 82!! Link to his JustGiving page is here:  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/murdoch-mcgregor1 Newspaper article on his completion of Murdoch's trip: https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/19531958.an-inspiration---murdoch-82-completes-trip-around-uk/