Reflections on the Jester Challenge

I am sitting in a cafe overlooking beautiful Crosshaven,  reflecting on the Challenge and what happened. 

I am a little disappointed at not getting to Baltimore but this is overridden by a sense of accomplishment on getting so far. I realise that if I had not diverted to Rosslaire, I would have made it. 

 I discovered that Captain Rusty is a good sailor, who has all the skills to sail a boat single handed. The only problem is that he was let down by the brain of the other crew member!

My main issue was not getting enough rest. I had practiced 10 minute naps but  in reality I struggled to sleep and they just weren't enough. Roger - who is our local single handed guru - goes for 1hr 20 whenever he can and this works for him.

In terms of what happened with the steering: 

It was dark, the second night without sleep, after a frustrating hot day of no wind. My boat is not good in light airs and I think I got into an eddy current, which rendered the steering useless. I convinced myself that it was a problem while sailing - maybe keels - so took the sails down and motored. The steering was then ok.

The next decision was where to go. Rosslare was a bit further to go than Kilmore Quay, but much safer to navigate in the dark.

Once this decision was made, I totally focused on getting there and sleeping. I should have tested the steering again on the way - and would have found it was fine - but all I craved was sleep; 'must get anchored up and sleep!'

It was on this journey that I started to hallucinate: Vanessa was sitting at the mast ( her hair was rope!), I gave orders to imaginary crew members and the engine sound was a radio station with music and interviews. I sort of knew it wasn't real, but it was weird. 

The trip was unbearably long and once anchored, I just left everything and jumped into my sleeping bag. 

The next day I realised that I had made a mistake and came up with a plan to get back on track. It worked a treat and by Thursday night I was off Cork.

The wind then picked up and I was tacking into big waves. Still 60 miles to Baltimore, which would have taken me over 24 hours in those conditions. It was my second night after Rosslare and sleep was still a problem. I therefore decided to come into Crosshaven Marina.

My intention was to set off early today for  Baltimore but once I had moored up, I started to think that there was no need. I had learned all I was going to learn and I also need to rendezvous with Griff on Saturday. If I had further problems and did not make it, then meeting up with him could be tricky. So I am staying put! 

So apart from my pride, I am feeling pretty good. There are lots of positives and I now know that I have the abilities to sail singlehanded. However, if I am ever to do another singlehanded challenge, I must sort out my sleep regime. 

There are a couple of other guys here in Crosshaven  with me and they had similar problems. We have all been having a group therapy session! 

So that's it, it has certainly been the toughest challenge that I have ever undertaken, but would not have missed it. 

I'll end the Blog here - Griff and I will work our way home over the next week. 

Thank you for your support and kindness over the last week.

Jester challenge - The End

Aunt Posie gave me a bottle of ginger beer to celebrate finishing.

Well, even though I didn't cross the finish line - I still feel like celebrating! 

Thursday evening - 18th - Crosshaven

I have has a great 24 hours;  sailed at ridiculous speeds in the dark, seen a swhale  ( or was I hallucinating again), left Rosslaire....!

The winds got up again this afternoon and I was making slow, uncomfortable progress along the coast. There is no way I would have been able to sleep, so I decided to be sensible and pull into Crosshaven. 

It is beautiful here, a lovely end to the day.........and while having a cuppa, I have decided that I will end the Challenge here.

It has been an unbelievable experience and I have been through some amazing stuff. I am disappointed not to finish but I realise that I have been through so much, that I don't have anything left to prove to myself. It has been the hardest challenge that I have done and have learned a huge amount. 

A couple of people have also dropped out and everyone has had a tough week. My admiration to the guys that have finished - they really are incredible.

Ultimately it was my inability to find a proper sleep pattern  that held me up and led to me making some poor decisions. I will find a solution to that for the future.

So, I am going to relax for the first time in a week and do absolutely nothing tomorrow! 

Here is the view from my bedroom window. 

Thursday morning - 18th - good spirits!

Well, I finally had a bit of luck yesterday and through the night.

My plan was based on the wind happening as forecast - and that is exactly what it did.

I took some pain leaving Rosslare - wind and adverse currents - on the basis that  the wind and currents would be favourable when I reached my restart point. 

All worked perfectly and at 23:15 last night, I rejoined my original course and turned towards Baltimore (still over 100 miles to go!)

The wind was f5 - but I did not care - I

hung up all the sails and shot along at 7 knots - unheard of for my boat.

Later I had to reef but still kept up similar speeds until 08:00 today. Lighter winds now but still creeping along. 

Last night I went to my bunk as much as possible and got in quite a few 15-20 min snoozes - in between dodging fishing boats! I will continue this pattern all day and night - and hope that this works.

Not sure if I will make it without the engine but at least I will be a lot closer.

Here is my bunk - notice that I covered it in plastic, so I can lie down in full gear and also if wet. 

Wednesday 17th - 18:00 - rounded Tuskar Lighthouse

Just rounded Tuskar lighthouse and heading South. 

Feeling good - great to be going in the right direction again - well nearly. 

Wednesday teatime - 17th - off again

Ok - have got onto the fishermans dock - not easy grabbing for a ladder at high speed!

Also not easy to find your way out of a ferry port on foot!

Uphill to the petrol station but at least it was easy coming back!

Am about to head off again, back to my original track and then carry on.

Not sure how far i'll get, but I will motor if I have to.

I doubt if I will have signal now for a few days, but will post again then. 

Thanks for your messages of support - am feeling less tired and ready to get going. 

Wednesday Afternoon - 17: spirits rising

My spirits are rising after a good sleep and better weather forecast.

Just making bacon butties and then will have a quick snooze before trying to get up the anchor.

It will be well dug in after 24 hours of strong wind! 

Some fishermen came over earlier to check that I was ok - they had heard me talking to the Port Operations earlier. 

I have been killing done time listening to local SE radio. Very different from local UK radio - but also very good.

They have a regular section on funerals - where they read out details of all recent deaths. This includes name, names of the bereaved and full details of the funeral - including dates and times that the deceased will be lying at home for visits and when they will be moved to the church.

I like the advert aimed a young tractor drivers - make sure you have a licence and don't hold up cars behind! 

There were also some great phones-ins where the caller asks the presenter more questions than he asks them!

All entertaining and an incite into the country. 

Off for a snooze now. 

Here is my latest companion - Oscar Wilde!

Wednesday morning -17th. I have a plan....

Still quite windy here but it is going to ease off later and better for the next few days.

So, I have a plan;

Will take the boat across to the wharf -when the winds ease later - to get some fuel from the fishermen or perhaps a car ferry!!

I will then motor sail as fast as I can to the point where I left the original route  (6 hours) - then engine off and try again to reach Baltimore  under sail.

There is just about enough time to get there if the winds are kind, otherwise I will motor the final part if I have to. 

Just need to kill a few hours now. 

By the way - I did wash my hair last night. 3 solid day so of wearing a wooly hat was pretty grim! Managed to soak the floor - out of practice - I haven't washed my hair in a bowl since I was a kid!

Here is the view from my bedroom window.

Tuesday Evening - 16th - Ablutions

You will be interested to hear that this evening has been one of firsts; 

First wash since Sunday

First teeth clean since Sunday

First tidy up since Sunday and I have even hung stuff up. 

First clothes change since Sunday - and yes, that does include socks and underpants!

I might even wash my hair ..... although  sleep beckons!

Monday afternoon - 15th - No wind

Today was pretty rotten.... No wind and boiling hot!

I had a good night and made it to the South East Corner of Ireland. Had breakfast and all looked good until the wind dropped and I started to drift towards the Shipping Lanes.

I could have used the engine but it is not allowed under the non-rules - so I spent an hour slowly creeping away under sail in very light winds. Nightmare. 

What made it worse was that the guy next to me managed to avoid it and I watched him sail off , as I wallowed there for most of the day, as the wind then totally dropped. 

Anyway, sounds like we will have the opposite problem tomorrow a lots of wind. 

I must say that I am finding it much tougher than I expected!

Monday morning - 15th - Tuskar

Bloomin' heck, I was cold last night. It was very damp too.

I ended up wearing 2 layers of thermals, a fleece, gilet, mid layer jacket and my foulies - and was still cold! I tried to kip in the cockpit but it was too chilly. 

I decided that I had to sleep

below - not easy.  You basically check around the boat to see that nothing is around, dive below, set 2 timers for 15 minutes, then try to grab a few minutes kip. Not easy - hard to relax knowing that no-one is on watch;  plus there are the usual boat creaks and groans to worry about. Add to this interruptions from the VHF, the need to dodge commercial shipping and also to fill in an hourly log - doesn't leave much snooze time! 

One useful thing is an alarm that goes off if a ship is going to pass within 2 miles. A great safety feature but annoying if it goes off when you have only just got to sleep!

I  keeping well stocked up with food, so my mum will be pleased! 

Light winds today, so it is going to be a bit frustrating I think. 

Sunday afternoon - 14th. Irish Sea

I am currently in the middle of the Irish Sea - just entering the Shipping lanes. 

I can see a few commercial vessels already, so now is the time to start working out how close they will pass.

The wind caused some nasty waves this afternoon, which rolled the boat around and made it a thoroughly unpleasant afternoon. I spoke to Simon  (cognac) at 21:00 and he has found it uncomfortable too. He is putting up a better shown than me and is 5 miles ahead.

At 19:00 I ate Vanessa's cottage pie, which although delicious, took a bit of forcing down due to the sick making motion of the boat.

Things have quitened down a bit now and I have just watched the sun go down 

over the mountains of Eastern Ireland. If you look at the photo carefully, you can see 2 of the Jeater Boats on the horizon. 

Am starting to settle down to this weird life - just need to work out out to grab some naps!

Tuesday 16th : Rosslaire - what are you doing there?

After my frustrating windless day, I did get some wind in the evening. Trouble is that when I tried to head off on the port tack, the boat would not steer in a straight line. Fine on starboard but port is what I needed to get towards Cork.

I worried that something was wrong with the keel - so decided to head for shelter to have a look. I was halfway between Rosslare and Kilmore Quay - but Rosslare looked much safer to navigate to in the dark. 

So reluctantly I noted my position and put on the engine - it  felt safer steering that way, although still felt odd.

So after a frustrating trip - currents against me - I am now anchored up at Rosslare -Tuesday  lunchtime. 

I have looked over the boat as best I can, but can't find any issues and the boat sails ok here. I can only assume that I was in some sort of eddy, that made the steering seem wrong and turned the boat in circles. 

I was also very tired and my decision making was not great. Also, on the way here I thought that people were on the boat with me and chatted to them! I saw a dolphin and told Vanessa, who was sitting with her back to the mast ! Objects on the boat have taken on animal forms too. 

Sleep deprivation - two nights with just a few 10 minute kips - is a weird thing. I know that some of the other guys have had the same thing. 

The wind is very strong now , so I am stuck here, cursing myself  but at least I can get some sleep . My plan is to leave early tomorrow and resume sailing from where I switched on the engine . Not sure how far I will get, but will see what happens. 

All part of the learning experience , this really is tough. Other guys also struggling with breakages and lack of sleep too

Anyway, I'm case you wonders about the delights of  Rosslare - here you go!

Sunday 14th - noon. Race start

We started at 12:00 with a dash to cross the line outside Pwllheli.

I was rubbish as usual and almost last - but rule 1 - I am not racing!

As we headed towards Abersoch, the fleet split into two, with 6 of the faster boats zooming off and the rest of us in a clump. 

Good wind, saw us at over 5 knots all the way.

At St Tudwals, Mike and I were rewarded with a school of dolphins playing between our boats. Hard to get a good photo, but here is the best I can do. Magical stuff. 

Once past Abersoch it has got fairly rough and uncomfortable, with a rolling sea. The autopilot does not like it, but after an hour of messing around. I have got it to hold a reasonable course.

Now the slog begins - across open sea for 24 hours - only 3 gone so far - bloody hell!

Jester - Go go go!

Today is the big one - we will cross the start line outside Pwllheli at 12:00.

Am just having a breakfast at the Station Cafe, before heading back to the boat for final checks.

I had a shower this morning, so I will at least smell sweet for a short while - not sure when my next wash will be!!

Met lots of fellow Jesters last night - all with different stories and experience - a very interesting group.

I will write posts each day but I do not know how often I will be able to upload them - it may be that I have to store them up until I get to Baltimore.

Must say that I am feeling a bit nervous this morning - will be glad to get started.

Speak soon.....

Jester Challenge - 1 day to go

So today was the first time that all the skippers met up and we got to see each other's boats.

Quite a variety of vessels, some of which look like they could get across the Atlantic, let alone the Irish Sea! 

We had a briefing and it now all seems quite real. The weather forecast looks ok for the next few days, so we should get off. We also had to sign a ' blood chit' - basically a disclaimer to say that if anything happens to us, it is our own stupid fault!

Lots of last minute purchases going on and frequent trips to the shops for everyone - often to pick up things that were forgotten the first time!

We have a dinner tonight to get to know each other better and then full steam ahead tomorrow.

I have promised myself to be sensible and have set a few rules. 

1) I am not going to race anyone, regardless of the temptation!

2) I will try to get there non stop but if I get too tired, then I will stop - probably around Cork or Kinsale.

3) If in doubt, caution will be my guide.

4) I will try to eat custard at least once a day!!

I hope that my Mum approves. 

Our holiday is now over and Abigail came out today to pick up Vanessa. We have had a lovely week here as a guest of Aunt Posie. As always she has been very kind to us and we had some laughs along the way. Thank you.

Ok, must go now to put on my party frock!

Jester Challenge - 2 days to go

Spent today sorting out the final boat jobs, as well as buying the non perishable food. 

As always, I have a supply of frozen homemade meals - thank you Vanessa - that will keep me going. Corned beef hash is best  - just heat it up and eat straight out of the pan! 

The sink is in an inaccessible area - you have to be a contortionist to use it; not a 52 year old with a bad back! - so I try to minimise washing up as much as possible. One pan meals are the solution.

I have stocked up with loads of snacks and tinned meals - plus a ridiculous amount of custard! Jamaican ginger cake and custard is a real treat when you are hungry or feeling sick!

We also moved  today - the Jester  boats  are all being corralled together in the marina, for publicity photos tomorrow.

I have started to meet some of the other slippers and it is encouraging to hear that they are all worrying about the same thngs as me!

It will be good to meet more of them tomorrow. 

Nearly there - can't wait to get going now. Saturday will be a long day!

 

Jester Challenge - 3 days to go

Another touristy day today, no boat work.

Had a lovely lunch in the pub at Porth Dinllaen, Morfa Nefyn.

The only thing I did do was buy myself an insurance policy........ by visiting the guys in the Lifeboat station! 

Jester Challenge - 4 days to go

Not doing anything on the boat today, we are having a touristy day.

Following our usual holiday pattern, Vanessa is on the beach sunbathing and I am in a cafe, reading the paper!

I can't completely forget the sailing trip though. Every time we get phone reception - which is not often on the Llyn Peninsular - I am checking the weather forecast for next week! Not looking too bad at the moment.

More sunbathing tomorrow I suspect, then buying boat provisions on Friday. 

Jester Challenge - 5 Days to go

Frustrating day, every job that I did on the boat uncovered some other problem that needed fixing. 

I spotted water in the bilges, which is always the worst thing, as all sailors fear about leaks. 

The first thing to do is check that the water level is constant, to see if water is still coming in. Fortunately the level was not changing. 

The second thing to do is taste the water - is it salty or fresh. Salty suggests a leak below the waterline - not good! - whereas not salty suggests a leak above the waterline - which is less worrying. 

Difficult to tell through the hint of diesel(!) but it was not salty, so is probably rain water. 

Further investigation showed that a floor plate in the cockpit - which once supported a table - was leaking. It has corroded underneath and all the sealant has flaked off. I won't bore you with the details, but after much cursing and moaning - it is now fixed. 

Vanessa is oblivious to my problems - as she has her afternoon nap!

Anyway, the forecast is good for the next few days, so we will be visiting the beach and will forget the boat for a while. 

Jester Challenge - 6 days to go

We did quite a bit of boat preparation yesterday, including loading all the gear onto Crusoe Too. Much easier now that she is in the marina.

The trickiest item to get on-board was the liferaft, which I have hired for the trip. Expensive for sure but at least it keeps my mum happy! 

It is very heavy and tricky to handle. I managed to rig up a pulley system and laboriously lifted it into place. Being a typical man, I was not going to ask anyone for help, despite the marina being packed with helpful souls !

Now you might wonder, if it so heavy, how would I ever launch it if the boat was sinking. Well, believe me, if I was scared enough, then finding the strength to lift a  liferaft would not be a problem! 

Jester Countdown - 7 days to go

Vanessa and I are spending this week in Wales having a holiday, as well as doing some boat prep.

For those who know Vanessa - don't worry -  I am not making her sleep on the boat!

We moved Crusoe Too from the mooring into the marina today. Hafan Pwllheli have kindly given us a berth for the week. 

Had a minor issue getting out to the mooring though. The dinghy is stored in a rack here but was a little under inflated today.  Not totally suprising as it has a small leak - have been meaning to fix it for years! This is only really a problem when you don't have the pump with you...........

I have a spare pump on the boat, so decided to risk rowing out anyway. All very exciting, sitting low in the water, with some coming over the sides! I made it eventually, but was not particularly dry! All my own fault though.

I did find a good way to warm up afterwards - a sausage butty at Barry's Snack Shack. 

Jester Countdown - 8 days to Go

 Baltimore Pirate Festival:

The arrival of the Jester Challenge boats in Baltimore will coincide with the annual Pirate Festival.

This is a fun event which commemorates  the capture of the whole village by Algerian Pirates in the 17th century. 

We will be joining in and have been asked to bring along Pirate fancy dress. I have been working on my outfit and have made my own cutlass - perhaps I have too much time on my hands!

The reality is that I am keen to get started, so am finding ways to distract myself. 

Only a week to go...........

 

Jester Challenge - What is it?

On the 14th June, I will take part in the Jester Baltimore Challenge. This is a single-handed sailing event from Plymouth, and Pwllheli, to South West Ireland - a journey of 250 miles.

Around 40 boats will start from Plymouth and 10 other boats will accompany me from Pwllheli. The event is for small yachts and has very few rules.

It is an individual  challenge - how do you manage the boat, eat and most importantly, sleep, when sailing on your own for a week.

I am currently preparing for the trip and will post details when I can.

The event has very few rules:

The Jester Challenge is run on a ‘gentlemanly basis’ within the following guidelines:

• for sailing vessels between 20 and 30 feet (including multi-hulls)
• human power is the only acceptable alternative propulsion to that of the wind: rowing is permissible
• single-handed to Baltimore, County Cork
• one way
• stops allowed
• no time limit
• engines may not be used for propulsion but can be used to charge batteries. The sole exceptions to this would be the avoidance of an imminent ‘mayday’ situation; responding to a distress call from a fellow seafarer. 
• no regulations: skippers will be entirely responsible for the equipment they take, based on their own experience
• only hint of bureaucracy will be the signing of a form of indemnity accepting the skipper’s full duty of care for himself, his dependants and his fellow seafarers during his participation in the JC 2015.

http://www.jesterinfo.org/index.html

Scary Stuff!