Regular readers will know that I am going to live on a sailing boat with my husband as we have to move soon. We are selling or giving away worldly goods and doing up an old Maxi 95 sloop.
As it has been 15 years or so since I did any sailing, and pre-cancer/chemo, I thought it best to go on a refresher sailing course with a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) instructor.
Last weekend I got on a run as a team of five of like-minded individuals also honing their skills. We sailed from Shamrock Quay in Southampton to the Isle of Wight, where Cowes Week brought sailing boats from all over the world.
The severe treatment for my Hodgkin Lymphoma left my body and brain somewhat disorientated. I describe my brain as living in a town where a bomb has hit and roads have been blocked off. I have had to find detours and rebuild. I had been having terrible balance problems since the treatment, but following a number of NHS exercises I have not had any accidents for about a year now.
Although I was used to sailing I had been extremely nervous about going out, especially onto the Solent, which requires strength, skill and alertness due to its tides, geographical structure and the many number of different vessels using its channel.
This weekend course really helped me to regain my confidence and sort out what I could remember and what I needed to practice.
I feel brilliant!
Congratulations! Did your balance work OK while you were on the water?
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I do take my hat off to you both
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Brilliant! What fun. Even the weather was kind by the look of it.
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How courageous and full of adventure!! Well done, you! I look forward to posts about your sailing exploits.
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I’m full of admiration. Well done.
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To General G Tony: I got a quick glimpse of your comment but it disappeared for some reason. We hope to be based in the Solent somewhere – there are so many marinas to choose from and may stay between Bristol and Chichester on occasion. We don’t really want to go further than the British Isles and Ireland. We did all that Europe stuff many years ago.
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Hi Sol. That is strange that my comment should disappear.Your husband and yourself really do have a spirit of adventure. All the very best, Tony
PS Ireland seems quite a distance to me!!!!!!
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That rough Irish Sea!
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This is just wonderful! I’m so glad you got out, and enjoyed it. Did you edit your post? I thought there were some details about the s/v Opposition. Wasn’t it part of the Fastnet race? i took one look at that varnished transom and thought, “Oh, my! That’s a beauty!”
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Your blog suddenly has double everything, down below. I wonder if that’s why a comment disappeared? Strange things do happen!
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I must have accidentally hit a button – that’s the usual cause.
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I just put captions on the photos – if you click on them you can read them clearer. Ted Heath had a succession of boats called Morning Cloud – one was in the America’s cup. This one “Opposition” appeared in The Fastnet race and another was hit by a storm in a Fastnet. I think that a few drowned that year.
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I read “Fastnet, Force Ten.” I need to get it back out and re-read it, now that I know someone with “connections” to it!
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People have written such lovely comments about this post – but sadly they have disappeared.
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Not sure if my comment went through; here’s another try… I’m sorry to learn of your cancer diagnosis — I hope it’s gone, or will be for you. And I hope that in your move that you will find an accommodating welcome and a nice home. Peace and forgiveness.
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Thanks Randy! The NHS cured my Cancer but left me somewhat disabled for some years. Doing this blog has helped enormously. Rents are very expensive here in Southampton and we are a bit fed up of having to move, so we have bought a cheap old sailing boat to do up as mooring fees work out so much cheaper. Peace to you too and may your God go with you.
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Oh, dear… Reply didn’t go through, either. Glad there were others to help you, for what would we be, would we not?
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Wonderful pictures, there really is no feeling like being on the water. Is Queen Victoria’s bathing house still on the beach? The one that used to roll into the sea to protect her modesty?
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Yes. I think so – I must confess I have never actually been on the beach myself.
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So happy for you!
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Thank you
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I loved seeing the Isle of Wight, especially that luscious mansion at the end of the beach up the lawn. How marvelous that you will be off on a new adventure. Will you have wi-fi? And blog?
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Many of the Marinas offer free Wi-fi which will cut down a lot of expenses – we can watch TV on our laptop. Some even have bikes for going into town and give free cinema tickets.
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Wow! When do you leave your house?
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When the other landlord finds a buyer – we thought we would be out by now.
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A lovely post.
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Thanks Mike
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It’s good to know you’re doing what it takes to be knowledgeable sailors! I love the name of your boat, Solent. Are you in any of the photos?
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This isn’t my boat – it belongs to the training school, mine is still in dry dock and I am renaming it after my daughter. I am currently drawing pictures of my daughter’s eye to put it at the bow. If you sail on the Solent which is busy you just have to know your stuff.
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I’m so easily confused! Sorry. You call yourself “Sol”, so I thought the boat being called, “Solent” must be yours. Geez. That’s lovely that you’re calling the boat after your daughter! I’d like to see your drawing when you’re finished. Have a super weekend! 🙂
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I didn’t think of that – I shall keep that in mind for my next project. Thanks
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This sounds like an amazing adventure.
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Necessity the mother of invention – Pluto
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Wishing you a wonderful journey…
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Thank you
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You are far braver than I. Mooring that boat at Cowes made parallel parking look a doddle. It looks like fun though.
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It was exciting
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Sorry to get to read this and discover your fight with lymphoma! Keep going gal!! Garfield hugs! Your tenacity keeps you going and you will be right as rain💚💙💗💖
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Thank you Garfield, I am almost back to normal now. Hugs to you too.
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Hooray!! Positivity always 😊😚
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