couple of Weeks ago, I was lucky enuogh to take a trip on the Sailing Training Vessels, Lord Nelson,One of only two sailing ships in the world, built to take Disabled people afloat They can help run the ship alongside more able persons. My employer Go Ape, provide instructors to assist the Jubilee Sailing Trust, when they need additional buddies which enable disabled persons to take part on a voyage.

Fifty years ago I sailed as crew on the Sir Winston Churchhill, competing in the Tal lShips race from Falmoth to the Skaw, I was the youngest crew member and had a great time. This time I will be amongst the oldest, assisting less able persons to learn the ropes.

Monday

Not a good start to the trip due to delays in coach travel from Chesterfield to London, broken down vehicles on M1 where there were roadworks and heavy commuter traffic on first day of working week. I had to activate my contingency plan, as I missed my connection to Southampton by 5 minutes. I rebooked on next coach but then this failed to depart on time due to a traffic accident on the Mall. I eventually arrived 20 minutes lateer than expected. Not a happy bunny.

The ship was a hive of activity and I needed to play catchup, sorting out my bunk and stowing the contents of my bag into lockers. Recieving a set of heavy duty oilskins, as a contingency and being provided with my watch card. I had held everyone up so the rest of the afternnoon being introduced to the permenent crew, safety rules and ships routine. The Lord Nelson had just finished a refit nadwork had been delayed so that the Captian decided we would stay in port for the night to get things squared away and give everyone time to get to know one another.

I volunteered to be on Morning Harbour watch with my buddy, Peter, an 80 year old who has sailed with the Jubilee Sailing Trust on many occasions . We just had to make sure the ship was safe and the crew did not get lost. This was quite easy as the mooring lines were steel cables used to secure the ship whilst its engines were undergoing maintenance. All hands were called for breakfast at 0800 and the ship was prepared for sea. I was appointed a member of the mooring crew, with duties as bowman in the Doti boat used to ferry the linesmen back aboard ones the lines had been cast off.

Tuesday

It took some time to manoeuvre down Southhampton water, past Calshot spit, through Hurst Narrows and out past the Needless to the open sea. Now the chance to put our training into practise squaring away the yards and making sail. The weather was cool but the winds built up and by the time we were duty watch again, in the evening we were storming along at 10knots in 35 knots of wind. Many people were suffering from sea sickness. Crossing the shipping lanes was interesting and a couple of ship had to be called up on VHF to remind them that we were under sail and requst they modified their course.

Thursday

Following a rough night, the morning saw the Lord Nelson approching the French coast, with a plan to anchor off the Island of , however it took some time to negotiate with the authorities to obtain clearance. The large tidal range, combined with rocks and shoals and currents added to the challenge. I was on the helm at this time and there was constant pressure to keep on the correct track to avoid any incidents. We finnaly anchored in a wind over time sitiation and most people went ashore by DOTI boat to stretch their legs, before we set sail again for a night passage to St Marlo.

Friday

The overnight passage was quite short and we hove to for part of the night to await entrance in Daylight. Once again I was part of the shore crew so had to cut short my breakfast nadgo ashore at the Lock gate for mooring duty. Unfortunately there was no way from the lock to reach the quayside designated as our berth, so we had to signal to the DOTI boat to pick us up and transfer us to the Quay.. Once there we soon had the ship secured and the gangway set up to as to be able to take voyage photo's and have a night ashore.

Saturday

Following a restful night we set sail towards Alderney, where we had plans to anchot, however the winds were not favourable to the ship headed across channell to Portland bill, for a final sail along the the Dorset coast to the needles. I took the opportunity to go up the mainmast in the afternoon sunshine, spotting landmarks from my youth, until I saw a particular dark squall approaching, which took us aback and required us to wear ship as the wind turned through 360 degrees.

Once more I was on duty in the evening and on the helm coming through Husrt Narrows with its heavy overfalls as we sought out a safe anchorage for our final night at sea.

Sunday

The following morning, saw me joining the other Go Ape guys and a couple of more able voyage crew harbour stowing the main course as the Lord Nelson made her way up Southampton water.