Mr Motivator and the Bucket O’Shame

All started well in Barmouth, lots of free Power Bar goodies, bright sunshine, a nice offshore breeze, fish and chips, Guinness and Stugeron. Uncertain of my sea legs I was well stocked with potions. Doug and Ben introduced me to Autonomy (the boat) and showed me my bed for the week. The boat was bobbing gently and I felt good.

Sea Fever – a constant companion

The Captain

And we’re off, second over the start line; only to find our own personal hole in the wind whilst all around us the other boats were sailing away into the horizon. Eventually we caught the wind and away we went, quite exciting. Crash, bang, everything left lying around in the galley found its way to the floor as we tacked into the wind. I hadn’t realised quite how much the boat would crank over in the wind,  going below decks was out of the question now. I slowly became less chatty and began staring at the horizon lots. Doug had recognized what was going on and tried to distract me by chatting about the mountains we could see, but my nausea was not to be distracted. I was now feeling quite green as the boat cut through the chop at an acute angle. Some say sea sickness is in the head, I found it was all in the yellow bucket.

Doug

I woke up just outside Caernarvon to calm seas and the first leg up Snowdon. Feeling much better, I rammed some Power bar goodies down and got my kit together – ok maybe I won’t have to go home to my mum after all. Caernarvon was quiet at 4am, just a few revellers winding their home , ‘ey 118, 118, want some cider’, mmm no thanks lads. My strategy was to scoff as much food as I could whilst on terra firma, safe in the knowledge that I was crap on boats. Snowdon was beautiful at 0530, sunny with lots of cloud inversion. We passed some teams on the way down one of whom appeared to have been worse affected than me by the choppy seas – at least it wasn’t just me who was a landlubber. I slowed on the final run in on the road to Caernarvon (hadn’t eaten or drank for the past 14 hours) . Mr Motivator (for it is he) tried to assure me that this really was the last hill, only 400 metres to the harbour from this shortcut – we appear to be descending, oh look the road goes up again…

‘You don’t look tired at all Daddy’ said a disappointed voice. Mr Motivator appeared cheered by this, no-one gave a second glance to the bedraggled wretch behind him.

Mr M.

Lunch time, I was famished – hot chicken curry (Aldi tinned special), quick look at clock showed 0830, early lunch then!  Light winds prevailed so I was able to keep the food I ate, Whitehaven next stop.  We manoeuvred smoothly through the ‘Swellies’ in the Menai straights, two boats had run aground and a 3rd crashed into one of the grounded boats! The wind picked up outside the Straights but I’d switched potion and felt fine.

 

I was woken at some ungodly hour and told we’d be docking in an hour so you’d better get some breakfast in you.  On the bikes and smoothly out of Whitehaven, 16 mile ride to Black Sail Youth Hostel then a longish run (4-5 hours) over to Scafell Pike.  Legs were sore from Snowdon but we made good progress.  Mike and Sally were waiting at Wasdale Head with much needed refreshments – I managed to scoff a rice pudding in the style of a hungry 5 year old, much to the amusement of onlookers.

Naomi and family

It was at some point on this leg that Mr Motivator adopted the ‘married couple’ team running non-technique.  Let me explain…. runner1 runs consistently 100m in front of runner2, in the (mistaken) belief that this will ‘help’ runner 2 to go a bit bloody quicker. Runner1 then (eventually) stops and waits for runner2 to catch up whilst issuing stock phrases such as ‘well done’, ‘you’re doing really well’, ‘keep pumping those legs’ before running off into the mist again. Runner1 thinks he is offering support and positive re-enforcement and ‘helping’ with the pace whereas runner2 would like to poke runner1 in the eye with a sharp stick.  In retaliation to such barbaric and inhumane treatment I washed my hair at runner1, several times. Later, not much later, a new motivation technique began to emerge let’s call it the ‘cattle prod’; runner1 ‘shadows’ runner2 and should runner2 slow down, stop breathing frantically, or show any outward sign of not being about to keel over, encouraging phrases are recited; keep going, well done, good boy, biscuit, fetch.

Ben

The cycling back was the best bit….I sat on Crispin’s back wheel polishing my nails whilst he peddled like a demon. Crispin looked a tad breathless when we got back. James said it was the happiest he’d seen me all race!  We got out of the harbour just before the tide turned, feeling smug that the other teams would have to wait at least 3 hours, and then promptly ran aground!

The enforced rest didn’t do us so much harm after all… sometime later…. we realised that the boats in front were stuck in a windless area, and with much cunning we scooted off up the Sound of Islay in search of a more favourable tide and some wind. What a choice, none of the boats behind us made it through the tidal gate at the end of the Sound of Jura, and only 3 of the boats in front did, result!

Islay

We docked at Corpach for the final leg, Ben Nevis. Three teams in front; 17,19 and 25 minutes ahead, respectively. With trepidation I waited to see which motivational technique I was to be subjected to. Mr Motivator had seemingly used the time on the boat to do some extra motivational reading and had decided that I was to be trusted with setting the pace myself, a risky strategy given what a lazy pie eater I am. I already thought it’d be nice to be the fastest team on the Ben, and given that we’d only been one minute behind the leaders on the Scafell Pike leg it should be doable, it just meant that I wouldn’t have time to wash my hair en route, but I decided it was worth the massive sacrifice. We had a great run up the Ben catching Sea Fever near the Red Burn and emerging from the clag in front of the Aussies. The last couple of miles on the road were vile and with some great encouragement from Crispin I managed to keep going. My final sprint to line caught Crispin unawares and he was, regrettably, unable to maintain pace.

Second across the finish line, a completely unexpected result!

It was a great privilege to take part in the race and many thanks to the team for putting their faith in me. Which judging by the looks going around after the bucket o’shame incident must have been shaken. Many thanks to Damon too, although if he didn’t want to do it he could have just said so instead off hurling himself into a pile of rocks 🙂

Thanks again chaps for a great adventure!

Dozing in Dunstaffenage

Its taking longer to recover from sleep deprivation than I expected – but getting there now.  We left Corpach yesterday just after the last of the boats had arrived

I thought I might post on the final stages of the race from our perspective.

Our runners ran a blistering time in the lakes to let us get into the last lock with 15 mins to spare before the tide dropped too far.  Only one boat was ahead – EADS.  We made it through the lock – charged off out the harbour – and then 30 seconds later – stuck !  We tried reverse, forwards, hanging on boom, kedging off mast halyards – but we were stuck.  So having checked we weren’t going to settle on anything nasty (fortunately it was just soft sand and no swell) we plumbed depths all around us – and we may have been a boats width too far to the right – but the depths were only 10cm different.  Also when we eventually got off we touched twice on the way out in the channel – so I suspect its silting a bit.

Anyway – once the boat had settled – we set about apportioning the blame.  Doug was an easy target as he’d been on the helm – as was I as skipper – everything is always my fault – and in the heat of the moment I hadn’t been giving clear directions.  But there again Ben hadn’t been watching the back bearing on the harbour either had he ?  So it looked like the sailors were well and truly in the frame – but then snippets started to come out from the runners – they had been beaten by EADS by only 1 minute – surely they could have run faster – a bit ?  And then there were all the delays while Stewart washed his hair en route – and Crispin stopped for a chat with his mum!

Anyway we eventually got off half an our before the rest of the leading pack came out the lock gates on the rising tide.  These were all faster boats than us – and I was starting to understand how a fox felt as we got chased down on the way to Mull of Galloway.  We rounded this and headed up to Mull of Kintyre in the dark just rounding this on Tues lunchtime before the tide turned against us.  We could see boats stretched out in front up the sound of Jura.  We had Moby J for company (again!) after his little detour to the Isle of Man.

We worked out that we could make the sound of Luing if we averaged 5 knots – which was looking OK – so we settled in for a sail up the Sound of Jura.  Then suddenly we spotted all the boats starting to pile up off N end of Gigha as they lost all wind.  If we joined them we would never make the Sound of Luing.  We looked at options and the Sound of Islay was just opening for us – so after a quick vote we decided to go for it – everything to gain and little to lose (except perhaps a place to Moby J).  We jibed across and watched Moby J do the same – and we imagined the pencil chewing going on – should they follow us ?  In the end Martin said they decided that they had had enough time out on their own in the Isle of Man so decided to stay with the pack (I also suspect they were well and truely sick of the sight of us by this point)

The Sound of Islay route is at least 12 miles longer – and we had no idea what winds we would encounter on the far side.  We shot through the sound and speeds over 10 knots with the kite up managing to stop Doug from detouring via the distilleries.  The sun was just setting and everyone agreed it was the best sail of the trip. 

We shot out the far side and found 15 – 20 knots of wind – so shot up the W side of Jura with the kite up starting to imagine the finish in sight – and then the wind dropped completely and we spent the night unwrapping spinnakers, hoisting jibs, rowing – and generally doing anything we could to try and get the sails to fill in the nasty lollop that we found ourselves in.  We also desperately didn’t want to get sucked back through the gulf of Corryvreckan to rejojn the fleet waiting for the tide at the sound of Luing.

We crept up the W side of the Garvellachs – still not quite sure whether anyone had made it through the sound of Luing – and then we saw them in the early dawn– EADS, Team Whistler and Sea Fever ghosting across the bottom of Kerrara.  It transpired these were the only boats to make it through the Sound of Luing with Team Whistler being the last through with 5 knots of tide against them – getting wind just when they needed it.

It was now clear that we had a real race on between these 4 boats.  We hoped they might not see us at first – but we were flying a large rainbow coloured spinnaker – so not exactly in disguise – and how many cruising boats fly a spinnaker at 4am.  The wind was still frustratingly light for us all and they made the Lynn of Lorn just before us and sailed straight into a dead patch.  Time for more rowing, we were catching Sea Fever with our kite still full just – playing every last wind shift on the water whilst rowing at the same time.  Team Whistler were rowing hard and we weren’t gaining much on them. EADS were a mile or 2 in front.  Stewart knocked up a fantastic cooked breakfast to keep spirits up – while we went through the CD collection to work out the best track to play as we passed the Aussies…

Eventually the wind filled in from behind and all 4 boats were shooting upto Corpach.  EADS still in the lead – but being closed down fast by Sea Fever and Whistler.  Being faster boats every mile we sailed they drew slightly further ahead and we were desperate to keep in touch to give our runners a chance on the Ben.  Our runners were getting more and more nervous as we approached

Eventually we shot into Corpach with about 20 knots behind us (where was that all week?) – we were well by the lee – but didn’t dare waste time jibing – so we just made the mark dropped sails and motored into the jetty dropping our runners off less than 30 mins after EADS.  After a race like this – all 4 lead boats arrived within 30 mins of each other.

It was now all down to Crispin and Stewart – EADS were not catchable baring disaster – as their runners were of a similar speed to ours.  However Sea Fever and Whistler potentially were  – so still all to play for.  So while all our runners were way – we chatted with the other boats (and had a beer or 2) waiting for our runners.  In the end Crispin and Stewart ran a fantastic leg – lifting us into second place just a few minutes ahead of the Aussies.  Sea Fern won the Tillman – so something for all which was nice.

It was a great race with a very exciting finish – the other boats were good company – and Team Whistler are keen to get people over for their Tasmanian equivalent (P.S. Thanks for the shirt guys!)

We are slightly amazed – and very pleased with our result.  A couple of good choices at key points, fast runners and a big does of luck helped us pull it off.  All in all a very good team effort.  It would have been nice to beat Geoff and his EADS team – but it wasn’t quite to be – maybe next time ….

Doug has subsequently worked out that our grounding in Whitehaven gave us half an hours head start – without which we would  never have beaten the Aussies – so feel free to send the pictures !

Many Thanks to the organisers too for all their hard work – it is much appreciated even if we were too sleep deprived to convey it fully !

Waiting in Whitehaven….

We snuck into Whitehaven at about 4am this morning, arriving just before the first boats could enter – some of whom had beenw aiting for 2-3 hours for the tide to come in watching other boats (like us) catch up.

One boat Tactix got in before us as they drew slightly less – then it was us with 4 other boats all together.  The Tactix runners are very good – have held course record  or this leg in the past – that will give Crispin & Stewart something to chase

They reckon could be 8 hours – and last time we can lock out is … 12 midday – otherwise we have to wait until after 4pm – by which time many runners will have finished I suspect

Mind you looking at the wind – I’m not sure how much good its going to be being 4 hours in front – wind (such as it is – is due to fill in later).  Mind you every time I complain about the wind – I am reminded that we could be still trying to slop our way northwards to Whitehaven in a variable 3 – or worse still be perched on a rock in the Swellies

Bobbing in Barmouth

Well we arrived in Barmouth to find both boat and dinghy still there.  Trots look a bit fuller now with lots of toing and froing with long sticks and scaffolding poles etc as people try to rig oars having seen the forecast.

We just looked at last weeks forecast which showed much more wind – so we’re happy oars stowed firmly below.

Waiting for runners to arrive.  We’ve been scrutinered and seem to have passed – some slight amazement that we have’nt cut our tooth brushes in half and plucked every other bristle.

We also have our yellowbrick tracker device bolted on – and it seems to be working -  just goto http://www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk/ and click on teh live GPS tracking if you want to see how far we have rowed.

Now got to see if this uploads to the blog OK

Stewart is the new Damon

Team news… after many days scouting about for a replacement for Damon, who’s rib/neck/knee injuries have taken him out of the race, we have found what we need very close to home. Stewart Bellamy, work colleague of James and me at exeGesIS SDM, fell runner and mountain marathoner – and well matched with me for pace. He’s not entirely sure what will happen to his insides when the wind gets up, but to be honest nor am I if it gets really rough. Also he has a bit of a knee after mashing it on a boulder in the Jura fell race last weekend, but we fell runners take these minor irritations in our stride, preferably with several tons of ibuprofen.

 

Here’s Stewart at the Ras Diafol a few weeks ago.

Getting to Barmouth

Crispin has been giving me some grief for not posting – I don’t know where he has the time – probably doesn’t sleep.

Anyway – this sailing lark isn’t like running – it all requires careful preparation and planning – not just tearing up and down a few hills.

For instance Doug, Ben and I spent an evening the other night sitting on the boat with various scrutineering lists checking and cross checking. End result – we needed 2 gallons of fresh water in a new container and a few more in date flares (now got). We then had to put the dinghy back in the yard (which just happens to be next to the club and the bar was open ….)

I’ve also been sussing out the local opposition (local Sigma 38) and was somewhat relieved to hear that they didn’t seem a whole load more prepared than us – actually had a good chat with their skipper as found myself next to him at the bar in Dale (I had just fixed a bolt on hatch cover to comply ..)

But really its the whole logistics bit thats a head ache. For instance – next w/e (8/9 June) we are planning on getting boat to Barmouth – so we have another w/e in hand if weather turns really crap. This involves having to find some poor sods (sorry crew) who fancy a sail through the night hopefully arriving before the water has left Barmouth and in time for the pubs to open. Then you find yourself marooned in Barmouth c. 3hrs from home on a Sunday – and since Beeching there is no public transport. Fortunately Doug has come to the rescue and is bringing a bus up having convince his wife that she really fancies a w/e in Barmouth.

Then there’s food, getting to Barmouth again, getting back from Scotland – see – its all logistics and planning – not just running round in small circles.

PPPPPP – maybe !

Intimidating blogs and team moral

I’d like to come out in support of Damon over this – I can confirm Crispin needs a few lessons in how to encourage team members. For instance as I was getting hypothermic on the first of the 3 paps and he was running round in small circles like a sheep dog waiting for me to keep up – I said “well one down – two to go”. What I didn’t need in response was “yes – but thats the easiest one….” I then tried to give him a quick lesson on managing teams – but I think between my gasps – some of it was lost in translation ..