Tim Campbell

Natalie's first day on a sailboat. After a train journey, she arrived; dinner was made, followed by an early night and an early start. No wind, so it was a motor to Puffin Island, anchored and had lunch. After lunch, we motored back, and the wind arrived, but with limited time, we motored back to your swing mooring.

Standing waves through the Channel, passing the lighthouse and a few excited screams.

I don't know, I wasn't very well and I spent most of the time asleep. I know Eva wake me to show me the seals on Puffin Island...

Calm, gentle waters (1.5 knots) and wind (max 13 knots). Motored beyond Puffin Island and practised tacking... Sailed back through and practised anchoring near a wreck. Had a sleep for an hour to be sure there would be enough water at the mooring. Experimented with a bungee cord as an autopilot, which was great because it allowed me to do quick jobs. Water in the bulge came from what I now know is called a 'stuffing box'. I worked out that a brass syringe thingy is full of grease and that you need to twist it to keep the oil in the stuffing box so it didn't leak... More reading about this... Rowing to shore in the blow-up dinghy whilst rubbish. It was terrible to row; it had leaks in the floor and was blown off course by the wind. Oh, and that I don't really know how to sail!!! A lot to learn.

Mixed conditions and spent a day waiting out a storm

It was such a long time ago. All I can remember is being sea sick and being knocked off my feet in the middle of the night, by the waves washing of the deck of the boat. Liverpool, Port Patrick, Bangor NI, Holyhead, Caernarfon, Menai Bridge, to Liverpool. MWF 6.