Promotions

I'm delighted to record that cadet leading seamen Charlie Boutwood and Josh Crawford were promoted to cadet Petty Officer in the light of their achievements this week.

DofE Gold Award ventures in open sea are very rare - and we are trying to find out how many have in fact been completed in the half century of the Award. It's certainly a first for Shiplake.

Success

All now ashore, and passed this aspect of the Gold award.

Many thanks to Bob Rhodes for pictures at sea - and biggest thanks of all to Nigel Boutwood for letting his clean, tidy boat be taken over by the expedition and preliminary training. Nigel repaired most of the damage as we went along ...

Photography at sea

The aim of the expedition includes exploring the history of the Solent area. Brough focusses the long lens on Osborne House.

Working the chart

Navigation at sea is one of the demanding tasks for the team. The Solent has many shallows and other hazards, as well as a busy shipping lane.Fergus is working out the next course, while Josh is at the stove.

Luxury cuisine

One advantage of sailing over walking is that you can take a cooker and plenty of food. Josh has emerged as the best chef of the team, producing superb breakfasts while under sail.

Under assessment

Hampshire DofE manager Bob Rhodes has been monitoring progress from a RIB, and at times from on board. He is the official assessor who will decide if the venture meets the requirements of the Gold Award.

So far Charlie's helming has impressed him.

Newtown Bay

The planned dinghy landings proved to be too risky in many places, but the expedition managed to pick up a mooring in Newtown Bay, and row ashore to a convenient jetty.

Last day

The final leg of the expedition takes Cadenza back to Itchenor on the morning tide. With luck all should be complete by the afternoon.

Two good days

Strong winds and brisk tides gave fast passages - when the team used the two together. Tuesday afternoon saw Cadenza working the strong southerly against the ebb through the Needles channel, successfully picking up a mooring off Yarmouth.

Wednesday brought gusts to F7, and some fun trying to moor off Calshot. Here the boathook decided to go swimming. Then we crossed to Osborne bay to anchor and enjoy the view.
We ended the day in Cowes, showering,replacing the boathook and admiring a gathering of classic boats.
Pictures will appear when comms permit.

Off to Hurst

Breakfast: bacon sandwiches and hot chocolate. Today 's mission is to visit Burst Castle by dinghy, then anchor off Yarmouth for the night.

Off Beaulieu

After a brisk sail into southwest force 4 winds, Cadenza is now approaching the Beaulieu river. The plan is to anchor overnight. The menu: sausage and mash with chicken stock gravy.

Strong winds

The strong winds continue today (Sun) so we decided against making for Bembridge on the IoW. We now plan to start the venture from Itchenor on Monday morning, making for Beaulieu.

Brough at the helm

Off watch

Setting off

Today the team completed their training phase, and met their assessor for the first time. Next meeting will be at sea off Cowes on Monday.

Fuelling

At Chichester marina

Under way

After solving a mechanical problem, the expedition practice phase is now under way. Weather is not great, with strong winds forecast, but easing tomorrow.

Lying at Chichester

The crew are now planning the next three days.

provisoning

Chichester

Seagull sounds - crew due soon.

RN Section go gold

Charlie Boutwood and Josh Crawford, along with Fergus Roberston-McIsaac (Army) and Brough Downey (RAF) are starting final training for their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award by mounting a sailing expedition in the Solent area. We hope to monitor their progress for the RN Section blog.