Expedition Log

Already I feel itchy to get back out there and am feeling trapped on land again. 

On the 1st of July at 13:30, 28 days and 1 hr after setting off, I set the record as the first female and first disabled person to complete a solo, non-stop and un-assisted circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland. 

I'm sitting at anchor on the Outer Hebrides waiting for the storm to blow through, having made it with about an hour to spare before the 30kts gusts started coming through.

Today I'm feeling odd, neither sad nor happy. Logically I know I am making forward progress, but all I see when I look out is the same view just sea, sky and sails. That makes it hard to feel at times like I'm moving at all.

As of this morning, we have officially smashed my original fundraising target goal of £30,000.

The slightly disastrous attempt of me re-arming and re-packing my lifejacket due to a slightly unfortunate incident which I will go into when I'm home to save my friends and family's nerves!..

The first day after the incredible send of for the start of Project Fear was brutal.

Our most recent test sail saw me and Fear sail around the Isle of Wight and back. 

I’ve been useless at updating my expedition log recently and there have been multiple reasons.

It felt so good to finally take fear back out to sea.

This may be a solo circumnavigation but I am certainly not doing this on my own. 

When I started this project, I bought Fear for £6000. 

The last job to do before she went back in the water was to apply her vinyl wrap.

After my initial mishap with the engine on my first Fear trip, it was important to do some engine maintenance.

Installing an electronic anchor winch was one of our priorities from a safety perspective. 

The current mainsheet tracks were the original ones from 1975.

One of the main jobs that needed doing was the reinforcement of the engine cover.

The quest for a clean bottom gets me off mine, but now I am paying the price.

The new jib tracks from Allen sailing have been fitted. It feels very exciting! 

Fear has had her mast removed and been lifted out the water. This is the start of her major refit. She will be out the water for a month which is a short period of time to get an awful lot of things done.

When I first started this project, it was a solo mad idea that I didn’t even think was possible.

People often ask me why my boat ended up being named FEAR. The inspiration came from two of my favorite quotes...

What exactly is the challenge i'm taking on?

I have a condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS).

Today was mast climbing day.

After an abysmal first sail, the one good thing that came out of it was identifying the areas I am struggling with.

Having had a successful sail back to Brighton Marina I was desperate to get back out to sea.

I officially purchased Klaus, now known as Fear this evening.