The morning was cold and quite still when we got to TDA at around 6:45. We were driven by three teachers, Mr Draper, Mr Hartwood and Ms. Rodriguez. Mr Draper drove us very safely in the minibus, which was filled with good tunes and good vibes. Excellent song selection from our makeshift DJ Ms Rodriguez, who even took some requests from her passengers. After about two hours. we stopped at a services centre where the extortionate prices of the kiosks resulted in almost everyone gravitating towards Burger King (just like Mr Draper predicted), except Alisha, who decided to get hashbrowns from Subway. Unfortunately, due to traffic, we got to Portsmouth about two hours late, and it would have been even later if not for Mr Draper’s excellent navigation skills. He found a back route that shaved about 45 minutes off our travel time.

Arriving at Portsmouth, we got a trolley, in which Mr. Draper decided to release his inner child and ride like a toddler in a shopping cart. We finally came into contact with Gunwharf Quays and the glisten of the seawater tempted us to on-board the Challenger 4. At the Marina, our trolleys full of luggage were collected by Watch Leaders, Mike and Sarah

Once on-board, we spilt up into two groups after being showed around our new home for a few days. We started learning about the safety precautions of sailing and different ways to make sure we stay safe if anything happens. We left Portsmouth and motored to Cowes in the Isle of Wight and Meryem was on the helm. She managed to avoid hitting anything. After we arrived and put the boat ‘to bed, we had dinner and then got showered. Off to bed. Sweet dreams!

Samuel.

Today we sailed from Cowes to Poole each of us had to help with rising the sail which we found quiet challenging the weather was good and it was a little windy. Many of us did feel sick due to the large waves such as Macy, Meryem, Ketzia and Greater who had to take a break. For breakfast we ate croissants and Pain au chocolate which was very nice and filling. After that, some of us learnt how to sail and were told many historical facts.

For lunch we ate beef pasties with beans. After we arrived at Poole we got to explore and go to the beach where we came across a naughty dog named Bert kept splashing us with salty sea water and mud (Gracie got soaked) and for dinner we got to eat fish and chips not only that, but we got to admire some cool motorcycles due to the bike off festival. Some of the bikers were very intimidating.

We then got showered put on some sparkly gold face masks and gave Mr draper an apricot brightening face mask to help relax him ready for the journey ahead tomorrow. We also had some social time and had some giggly moments, during this time Mike told us about his favourite rappers and many stories.

By The Skibidi Fanbys

Today was a very adventurous but tiring day. We got up at half seven, as usual, and immediately set out in preparing the boat for sailing. We had cereal and toast for breakfast today. It was a bit quicker today as we were all getting used to the routines involved in prepping the boat.

We left Poole around 9 a.m. and raised the sails after about 45 minutes. We were sailing against the wind and the tide, and the boat was heeling at a nearly 45-degree angle. The people sat on the high side (port) were nearly standing, while people sat on the low side (starboard) of the cockpit were grabbing onto the boat looking backwards into the roaring waves.

Many people had a power nap however we done a very good job of cleaning, cooking and working as a team. The Skibidi Fanbys made pasta for lunch, and most people had theirs above deck to avoid seasickness.

The Challenger 3 boat CHALLENGED us (ha-ha) to a game of football, but they stood us up. After looking for them for half our allotted free time, we decided (led by Ms Rodriguez) to spend a few minutes in the park.

When we arrived in Yarmouth, we got free time, which included free ice cream and splitting into two groups (boy vs girls) to see who could buy more red or blue items (it was tricky as we only had a budget of £10 and half an hour to complete the task). The blue team purchased seven lollipops and a few other bits, totalling 11 things (on the advice of Basan) while the red team bought an infinite number of tomatoes. The colour blue was not a very good one. The ice cream was nice, but the wind was awful.

We had chicken curry and rice for dinner. There was also some naan and poppadom. After dinner we put face paint on Mr Draper and finished this off by colouring his hair with hairspray. Then it was time for bed.

By Greater