No more sailing for me
It turns out that perhaps I should have taken my surname more seriously after all. I am indeed a Trout. I love being in the water rather than sitting on top it. My sea legs aren’t what I’d thought they would be.
Last weekend I took part in the Hamble to Cherbourg race across the English Channel and It was then I decided not take part in the Transatlantic race 2015.
We set off at 7pm on Friday night and arrived in France almost 24 hours later.
It was about halfway through the race that I decided that maybe this is not for me.
The reason I have dropped out of taking part in the transatlantic is simply because I wasn’t looking forward to doing it. 101 Things among lots of other things is about having things to look forward to and doing the things you want to do in life. Unfortunately doing the transatlantic race filled with more dread than it did excitement.
France made me realise just how long 2.5 weeks on a boat actually is. The rest of the team absolutely love sailing but I find that it is not something I dream of doing anymore.
When I did Angelride in the States I found that I actually enjoyed cycling. I loved being on a bike and seeing the scenery change. It was incredibly tough and when I got to a hill my heart would drop a little but but once I got to the top i knew there would be a part where I could go downhill and go as fast as I possible could. I absolutely loved the downhill bits. After France I now wonder what parts I will enjoy or look forward to the most when on the Atlantic. I fear the novelty of being in the middle of the Atlantic might ware off pretty fast.
To do this race is not just about the 3 weeks it would actually take to sail across the Atlantic. Doing this race affects my entire trip from here on in. It puts both further financial and time constraints on my trip and would mean that I’d be rushing around. The beauty of the first part of my trip was that I had the freedom to go where I wanted when I wanted. I had planned only one thing before I left the UK and that was Raleigh international. The rest I just discovered as I went. What a wonderful and rare way of life to have.
There are some decisions I’ve made on my trip so far which I questioned when I made them. When I decided to go to the States I thought it might be a bad decision but it all worked out. As soon as I made the decision not to take part in the transatlantic I knew instantly it was the right decision and I haven’t regretted it.
I did fret about the money I’d spent on the sailing that I did do. Sailing, which I didn’t realise is very expensive. For a brief moment I thought ‘oh no what have I done?’. I don’t have much money left so this was a big chunk of change to spend on something I am no longer doing.
After a chat with Kirsty I then realised that I had achieved and learned so much by trying something new. I took part in an in shore racing event and experienced the thrill of a sailing competition, I sailed across the English Channel, I experienced my shortest visit to another country ever when we stopped in France for a quick beer (see pic) but most of all I made some new friends and that can never be a bad thing.
I said lots of things in previous posts about what I hoped to achieve by taking part in this race but I was reminded by my brother that this is my trip and I should follow my heart and do the things I want to do. I know this is selfish but I’m not sure how many opportunities I’ll get to do a trip like this, so first and foremost I need to make sure it’s one that I enjoy and I am excited about.
I just want to say a huge thank you to the crew of the Scarlet Oyster for affording me the opportunity to take part in this wonderful challenge. I think the Ellen MacArthur cancer trust is a wonderful charity and one which will continue to help a lot of people.
I will be cheering you on from terra firma and I wish you all the very best for future.
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