Introduction

Sailing To Scotland:

Date:- 27.12.10
Name: Morgen
Crew: RD (Richard Dempster)
From: Port Solent
To: N/A
Comments:
The idea of this Blog is in part, to copy the log from my good ship Morgen. Morgen is a Hanse 312 which I purchased in Oct 2010 in order to enjoy some easy family cruising in the solent area of the UK. But as these things do my imagination ran riot. Others may call it ‘midlife crisis’. I decided that I wanted to sail from the south coast of Britain, Port Solent, to the Kyle of bute in the firth of clyde in Scotland. I decided at the same time I would do this for charity and the charity we chose was AICR (Association of International Cancer Research) I thought this was particularly appropriate as we have been donating a small sum of money every month via direct debit for the last sixteen years since both of my parents ‘John and Mary’ passed away with small cell lung cancer and liver cancer and a very close friend passed away with Mesothelimia last year. Unlike many other events this is not about how fast I can achieve my goals, but about whether I can achieve my goals. I am a relatively novice sailor only having completed passages in the Solent. At about twenty miles at a time. And this is by far the biggest challenge I have ever set myself, Not only in the logistics of the thing but in the physical challenge, mental challenge of navigation and seamanship and of course the planning which inevitably goes in to something of this nature. I have run mini marathons for charities before and entered other charitable events however I feel this is by far the biggest challenge I have ever undertaken and there is real difficulty and unknown problems which I will have to overcome. From mechanical breakdowns to the fear of the sea and being isolated. Unlike other events I have entered I really don’t know if I can achieve / complete this challenge but my goal will be to do so.

I intend to Sail from port to port taking my time and only venturing out in good weather. I do not care how long this takes me as I have taken a couple of years off from full time work. A few friends have jumped at the opportunity to sail a few legs and do there bit for charity. I have a family as you can see from the photo and will be returning to them every so often. After a short break I will then proceed with the venture and return to Morgen. Hopefully the best of both worlds. I will also be accompanied by the family pet a fifteen month old German Shepherd by the name of 'Freddie' Suffice to say he will only accompany me on the more appropriate legs.

                                                      

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