A North Sea Adventure

I cannot believe its over a month since I went on my Day Sail on the Black Diamond. I haven't had time to write about my experience so here goes.

In 1986 the Tall Ships visited Newcastle and I remember going to the Quayside several times with my family as we were fascinated by the ships both big and small.  I've always wondered what it would be like to actually go on a sailing ship so when I saw the Adult Day Sail advertised on the Girlguiding North East England website I just thought "Yes this is for me"  What could go wrong in a day, even if I hated it I was sure I could survive so before I had the chance to change my mind I paid my money.

Its a big step up and if I miss, the water is very wet!

The Black Diamond (http://www.sailingnortheast.co.uk/) is docked in Hartlepool Marina so early on Saturday morning my very kind husband drove me down. As usual I got there early but it turned out that I although we were told to arrive for 9:30 the correct start time was 8:30 as there is the safety briefing to go through and the very long job of getting into the water proofs and life jackets. The worry was we had to be out of the marina by 11:00 to catch the tide otherwise we wouldn't get out. But nothing was a drama for our very patient two-man crew (and apologies but I've wracked my brain and cannot remember their names so they will be Captain and 1st mate) .

First to arrive

When everyone arrived and safety talks done it was time to get kitted out. I already had on a t-shirt, thin jacket and my dads windproof and waterproof fleece (thanks to my sister for buying it for him a few years ago, I can vouch for the fact it was definitely windproof as I was not cold at all out at sea.) On top of that was waterproof trousers, jacket and life jacket and not forgetting the wellies.

Eventually we were ready to go, at the last minute I decided to take a sea sick tablet just in case as didn't want my day spoilt with feeling ill. So our Captain manoeuvred us out the marina into the lock and then out onto the North Sea.

It was a day of two halves weather-wise. The morning was rolling waves and strong wind so the sails were raised and carried us out to sea. Luckily the place I was sitting was slightly protected from the waves but some of the crew were getting the waves right in their face as we crashed through them. The boat was also on a very precarious tilt but as long as I didn't look at the people above me I didn't worry too much.

The Captain decided, considering the roughness of the sea that we would go into a harbour for lunch to make it easier to cook and eat, he had no arguments there. Until you are actually below deck you don't realise how cramped it is. There is very little room yet a lovely meal was produced by the Captain of pasta and garlic bread which we all devoured. Even the poor person who had been seasick felt able to eat some but I think she might have regretted that when we went back out to sea!

Then there were the instructions for the toilet which went on the lines of pull this lever 3 times and that one 3 times, do what you need to do and then repeat with levers. Never mind the layers of clothes you have to negotiate and I didn't want to even think about how small the actual toilet space was so I decided to refuse another cup of tea and just wait. As we sat and listened to all this lever pushing makes you appreciate a proper toilet.

Unfortunately, in the time we had been in the harbour the waves, rain and wind had disappeared and the sails were no use to us and the engine had to be used to move anywhere.

Returning home

The original plan had been to sail towards Sunderland and return, just as well we didn't do that as we might have been stranded. Instead we tootled around and learnt how to plot your position on a map using the coast and eventually headed back to the marina.

Pleased it's not me manouevering into dock

During the day whenever sails were put up and down or ropes were loosened or tied it was a general shout out for someone to help and I was never quick enough to volunteer or move (it was hard to move quick in a small space surrounded by people who are all a couple of sizes bigger than normal with all the layers we were wearing) But I did do some tasks and enjoyed the whole experience, I would do it again.

If you click here there is a write up on the Girlguiding North East England website and it is thanks to Guiding that I had this experience as I would never have done it otherwise

Going back to the Tall Ships I have a new admiration for anyone who is involved in this type of sailing. I don't know if I could cope with staying on a boat for any length of time but never say never.

When I lived in Whitley Bay my Mum and I would often walk along the prom and look out to sea and wonder how far the horizon was, well Mum I never reached the horizon but it was a good days sail.