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Our experiences

"We left Holland on Thursday via Vlissengen and we sailed for the majority of the crossing.  The course was spent thoroughly cleaning the boat for the next crew, then we managed to get the fastest speed all day when I was steering.  As an added bonus the Red Arrows flew over us as we passed Clacton.  We reached West Mersea at around 17:00.

I really enjoyed the trip to Holland, especially sailing in the inland waters.  I would have liked to visit more places in Holland because I had such a good time.  It was sad to leave Middelburg on Thursday morning.  I managed to pass the Competent Crew award as well, so hopefully I will be able to sail again soon."

Lizzie (Beccles)

"When I first stepped foot on the boat I was amazed at how all the space was used so efficiently.  I thought the boat was very impressive and I was excited about the week ahead."
  
On Wednesday I thought it was brilliant when we spotted dolphins in the distance.  They gradually came closer.  The best thing when me, Paul and Roo stood right at the bow and saw the dolphins right up close.  It was so calming.

Lottie

"The trip to Antwerp on Excelsior was my first sailing trip and I learnt all about sailing and many more things to do with the sea.

I climbed the rigging to the top of the mast and surprised myself by not being afraid of heights.

The food on Excelsior was very good and I was not seasick at all.  We caught 3 mackerel fish using hand lines from the stern of the boat.

I enjoyed Excelsior so much I volunteered to help at the refit during the winter.

Thanks you very much for helping me pay to go on the trip.  I am really glad I went as it was a trip that I will never forget."

Garath (Gt Yarmouth)

Tuesday got up at 7am and I helped with the engine checks.  Then we set off.  We did some straight sailing and some tacking.  During our first night sailing there was only four of us who didn't throw up.  It was cold, windy and very rough, but Ruth was keeping us entertained.

Tuesday night was excellent, we saw lots of shooting stars, the Big Dipper, Orion's Belt and the North Star.  It was very calm, but still very cold.  We could also see loads of phosphorescence.

Chill (Fakenham)

On Monday when I first saw the boat I thought it was huge.  We went to Tobermory and then onto Barra.  On Wednesday we ran aground on the Monarch Isles and I made chocolate brownies.  In the morning we were watching dolphins race us.  Thursday we stopped at Canna for a BBQ.  We set off at 8.30 on Friday morning to get back to Oban.

Steven

My favourite part of the voyage was when the sea was really rough and we were all singing.

Martin (Sculthorpe)

Scot caught a fish!

"Ruth held the record for puking 11 times, but she did it with true style, smiling and pulling in on the sheet at the same time!"
Our trip on Excelsior to Antwerp this summer was great.  I had not sailed before and I was not sure how I would get on.

The outward crossing went quickly.  There was no wind and we motor-sailed most of the way.  My watch was 0400 to 0800 and 1600 to 2000 hrs, and I helped raise the main sail, fold sail's, and steer the boat using the tiller on a course by following the compass.

In Antwerp we had mussels and chips and joined in the mussel fayre.  We went on a tour around Antwerp and I bought souvenirs for my family.

On the return crossing we had wind and did not need to motor at all.  This was the best part of the trip because we really sailed and did about 4 knots.  I learnt to plot our course and read the Global Positioning System.  We got back into Lowestoft at 2100hrs slept on board for the last night and cleaned up in the morning before leaving.

Thank you very much for your sponsorship.

E Hill (Gt Yarmouth)

Ruth resorted to eating potato peelings for as a dare.

My best moment on the trip was on the night when we had strong winds out on the Atlantic Ocean.  I liked it when the boat tipped and we could sail without the engine on.  I didn't have a bad moment I enjoyed it all.

Phil (Cromer)

I thought that whole trip was brilliant and I really enjoyed learning new skills, as well as having the unique opportunity of visiting six of the top five anchorages in the world in less than a week.  Cheers to all the staff.

Bof (Sculthorpe)

I am writing to thank the Norfolk Boat for donating money which enabled me to take part in a sailing trip to Holland in the summer.

We left from West Mersea in the evening and crossed the North Sea sharing four hour shifts between two groups.  The group I was in had the shifts from eight to twelve and four to eight so I saw both the sun set and rise.

We spent the first night in Holland at Hellevoetsluis where the last day of a steam rally was taking place.  We then travelled along the inland water ways stopping at Willenstad, Zierikzee and Middleberg.  We swam in an inland fresh water lake and went ten pin bowling.

We arrived back in England at one o'clock in the morning on the Thursday and spent the rest of the night at Shotley.  On the way down the coast to West Mersea on the last day we had the best day for sailing reaching speeds up to eight knots.  When passing Clacton pier the Red Arrows were putting on a display and flying right over our heads.

Both my friends and I passed our competent crew practical course in sailing which included steering, learning eight different knots and sail handling.

Bryony (Beccles)

Sean cooked pizza which was pretty good even if he did say himself.
"Thank you for offering me the place on board the Alba Venturer.  I enjoyed the trip round the Scottish islands because it was a whole new experience for me as I had only ever sailed little boats.

Hope to see you next year as I might be going again."

Phil (Gresham)
Tel: 01603 881121
Fax: 01603 881121
Email: info@norfolkboat.org.uk

Registered Charity: 285305

 The Norfolk Boat
Harrisons Farm House
East Tuddenham
Dereham
Norfolk
NR20 3NF