I chartered a yacht in October 2009 out of Gosport so my Sister (Sarah) and I could scatter the ashes of our Father: Alan Hewitt. A storm raged in the Solent that day, and our family huddled closely in the cockpit as we motored out of Portsmouth Harbour into the rolling swell of the Solent. As we laid our Father to rest, and scattered roses amongst the waves the sun appeared from behind the dark clouds. A promise made long ago had been fulfilled.
On returning to Clarence Marina I had noticed a number of boats moored up, emblazoned with ‘CLIPPER TRAINING’ along their sides. I asked our Skipper about them and he told me that they were the boats used to train the crews who race ‘around the world’. In the mixed emotions of the day, this totally captured me! I had dreamt about sailing and had only ever experienced ‘holiday’ day sails, or a week or two on the Broads with Sarah and Dad.
Upon returning home I ‘googled’ CLIPPER VENTURES, and before I knew it I had sent off for a prospectus!
For a month and half I mulled over the idea, discussing the opportunity with Catherine. I also thought it might be good to read up on the subject a bit, and luckily enough I discovered the perfect book: Sea Change – by Ian Dickens (The Great – Great Grandson of Charles Dickens no less!).
The Author had taken part in the 2000-2001 race, and had brilliantly recorded his experiences in this book! I’m not the quickest reader in the World, but finished it within a week! For me it addressed two concerns: 1) How do I broach the subject with family & friends..and work! 2) What happens when you get home after the Race.
Of course, one of the key issues was the cost of the Race. I could just about afford to one leg (People have sold up/re-mortgaged to fund a full circumnavigation!). The other key factor was time. Could I get the time off work? Would they understand? –Would I have a job to come back to? All these questions filled my mind for the remainder of 2009.
I made my final decision based on one overriding rationale. I have had some very stark experiences over recent years (Losing some people very close to me), and it all underlined one fact: Life is far too short. I believe that we cannot wait for things to come to us. We have to have a ‘dream’. Sometimes that dream comes close, but is always off in the distance, so we have to run after it! Chase it as hard as possible until we catch it! Then all we have to do is wrestle with it and make it your own! I sent off my application, asking to take part in Leg 1: Atlantic Ocean. A race from a UK port to Rio De Janeiro.
Christmas 2009: Application had been accepted, and now I had to await my official Interview at the London Boat Show in January 2010! Amongst the celebrations of Christmas, I would slip away into day dreaming about this adventure!
