38000 feet and flying high - literally

Well shipmates our journey is at an end as I send the last blog to my fellow bloggers.

 A Great last night with all the watches from Tenacious. We all ventured out together to have our final supper together. Descending on a Chinese in Las Palmas. The first steps on land following a long sail from Lanzarote sailing in some lumpy water...most of us were walking like we were on the moon...motions of waves...but that soon ended after we sat round talking of our experiences on board ship. 

For me personally this trip has been 4 years in the planning and I am so pleased to have been able to share it with Mike and Alison....this is what it's been all about....my journey comes to end but Mike and Alison's will continue. Thank you to those that shared it with him you know who you are. I can't end without mentioning the Jubilee Sailing Trust who made it all possible. Thank you to Captain Simon and the crew who were fantastic.

Quite simply we all came together as strangers and we go home as friends.

If you would like to know about this brilliant organisation and how they help change lives take a look at their website www.jst.org.uk

Ahoy I see land and it's bloody freezing must be the UK

Well the adventure finishes in Las Palmas

Well, where to start,!  A great voyage finished today with she who must be obeyed taking the helm to bring tenacious into las palmas without a hitch.  She has always liked working under the instructions of a man. In this case captain Simon!

Then back on board for a shower and shave not my legs though! Now waiting for the bar to open before we go ashore to racy las palmas for a eat as much as you like Chinese. Not Bad eh? See you soon me Hearties!,,,

Mike 

I am so proud to have steered this beautiful ship back into port this afternoon- pretty nerve wracking with Captain Simon firing orders and trying to avoid all sorts of cargo ships as we circled to wait for the pilot to climb on board. Today has been brilliant👮 but last night didn't end so well 😷😟 and I vowed I wouldn't do it again but after today and especially with more dolphins it's a yes! The voyage crew have all been so friendly which has more than made up for the cloudy weather. Thank you so much to everyone who got us here but the biggest thanks of all to Jamie who initiated it all and has been such a support ever since Mick's stroke and especially on this trip! Thanks too to Lisa for sparing him for the week! Alison x

What an adventure! Well I really didn't know what to expect from this voyage but haven't we had fun?! It was really made by the wonderful people on board but especially on our watch. I really enjoyed getting to know Alison and Mick who added so much to the group. Mick's cheeky sense of humour and Alison's cheerful tunes kept us entertained this week. It was great to see the two of you go aloft! Don't be strangers guys, I hope this is the first of many more adventures for you. Clare.x

Well, Mike is pretty fly for a white guy!! I use to think my first watch ever was the best, then Mike looked at me and said 'shit tha baaddd' and l knew he was one of me and l was in for a good trip!! I didn't realise that Mike had supported walking till he nearly fell on me, that had to have been the cosiest hug I have ever had- thanks Mike.  Had such a lovely trip and it was Mike, Ali, Jamie, bill and Maggie who put that bit of salsa into the mix 😆 ginger nuts loves you long time xxxx Mo

The fileigh WI rep from Devon can only say that this has been a most positive experience! Now for the correct lingo! What an amazing time.  Great people. The sea. Night watches.  The moon shining through the yard arm at midnight.Pilot whales shimming in ,up the rigging, loads of laughter, achievement, food, and food!!!!! Maggie

It has been a lovely jubblys week, and we all survived it.  Such good to laugh and smile whilst on watch.  Learnt loads from you, especially about donkeys.  Will remember the enterprise and board meetings.  When you make your fortune I need to be a part of it.  Take care keep adventuring in the smal and big things.  Hazel

Well what a good time was had by all Jamie talked me into coming to help out with Mike......it turned out that Mike helped me. I learned so much from Mike and Ali so my thanks goes out to all three

and also to the great team we had and the JST for being there to provide the experience...Dave

The Climbers

Alison and Mike with the support of the JST crew - Ali, Heidi, Brunt and Ben conquered climbing the mast. Alison has a great fear of heights as some of you may know. Also avery emotional moment for Alison, as Mike was hoisted aloft with the support of the voyage crew pulling on ropes. A very Big Thank You to Ali and the permanent crew for giving Mike and Alison the opportunity to share a special moment together.

Current location

Lattitude 28,436859

Longtitude -13.893705

Plug in and find out where we are today. Setting sail at 09:00 for Las Palmas wind behind us.

Breakfast call time to rise and shine!

What time do you call this...

Well it's 6.15 am and you may well think what's he doing writing a post at that time

Quite simply Dave's wrist watch has the most pathetic alarm I've ever heard and he set it for 6 am.  Dave Dave Dave we are on  holiday. 

Today's plan is to go aloft and the set sail for the windy island of Fureventura. For those of you who are not familiar with nautical terms...going aloft means climbing. For the people who have no fear of heights, this is their opportunity to climb the mast and then walk out onto the yards (they are big cream things running horizontally across the mast)

Both abled and disabled crew on the ship get the opportunity to go aloft even if you are limited in movement or a wheelchair user. Watch out for the video tomorrow to see Mike's experience 

Up Up and Away - Alison conquers new heights and Mike casually lifts off

Hello their shipmates. Well after a night on watch and Clare taking the helm making good speed and Alison slowing us down we made Lanzarote....beautiful sun and a slight wind. All tied up alongside and Alison had no choice but to climb when Mike decided to take the next step...anything is impossible no matter what life throws at you...inspirational and a honour to be amongst people that show no fear. Here are just a few selection of our photos from a day that Mike and Alison will never forget!

Mike and Alison its a moment you will cherish no matter what life throws at you.

A new King is Born - Donkey King

It's official and the blog needs to announce Mike is officially loved by Donkeys. Having visited a vineyard producing its own wine and olives...we were greeted by a herd of a donkey's and they seem to love Mike....all of the puns were flying...Donkey Kong...Donkey King....One Hung low...

It was then off to the next stop but unfortunately we were quickly stopped by the only road works on the island...a quick detour and chat with the local guarda civil, we were offered a police escort they must have known we had the new Donkey King on the coach...but their directions took as back to the road block...eventful...

Picture Gallery

Let me introduce Georgia...that's not Goergia in the picture

Sorry shipmates but this lady insists on being mentioned....not in our watch....enough said.

Mike and I are on harbour duties tonight 12 - 2.. What that means we get to say who comes on board or not...quite simply if you haven't got your watch card you are not getting on...we have lots of responsibility...check for fires on board...normal caused by ladies hair driers...generally we get to chat and eat and drink lots of coffee to stay wake into the early hours....tomorrow we are going on a cheese and wine tour....will keep you posted shipmates.

Plain Sailing on calmer waters!

Day 3: After a dry piece of toast brought to him in his pit...that's a bunk...Dave finally surafced from the the big white throne and decorating the side of the ship. Alison still feeling a bit gingerly and Mo has taken a liking to Mikes ginger nuts....biscuits that is. Jamie still on mess duties...as Mike takes the helm...Dave plays with his parrot and Maggie continues to keep us entertained. Clare our Virgin helmsman bring us safely along side to Gran Tarajal...28.2118 Longtitude -14.0209... Take a look...a beautiful place.

The Crazy Gang

Green around the Gills

Day 2: Done well. Ate lots. Sailed....By the way that's our Watch Leader a lady of many words.

Well we are now on day 2...an eventful time...Dave had breakfast...manage a tight grip on it...only to recycle it 3 hours later over the side he was as green as his outreach trousers lol...

Meanwhile Alison was greener still but Maggie kept it all light hearted...the only green related to Maggie was her jacket. Jamie was on mess making and eating food....sickening...sorry no vomit photos that just wouldn't be fair...

Mike is conquering all his fears and challenges and an inspiration to others. Mike undertook his first night watch whilst all the others fell to their bunks being slightly worse for weather...Dave you light weight...Mike was acting as look out on the starboard side...only to see a few stars and a flashing light which was a false alarm, only to discover it was Maggie's torch!...I won't tell you where she was flashing...to naughty to report but it's a bloody good read in the Captains Log.

The High Life or is that Bottoms Up

Where are we Mike?

Latitude 28.1400 Longtitude -15.4240...answers on a postcard

Going Aloft

Everyone to Musta stations

Good evening shipmates. So what's happened since we last updated you. We have met Tom who suffered a brain injury at the age of 11, Jerry from my home town of Southampton stroke survivor and Simon inspirational but bloody funny...no sailing today...going aloft tomorrow....currently having a Guiness in an Irish Bar with Dave and his parrot and Margaret the bosun's mate...Leiws Dave says he's missing out reach but could you send us a couple of commodes...urine bottles....and free standing toilet frame.

I thought I would share you the first picture by night of the ship in all her glory.

Better than Work - Start as you mean to go on!

Well we finally arrived after a smoothe flight and listening to Dave snore and dribble on my shoulder. It has also been reported that my good self was catching flies....but that's just a rumour.

We are sat in the marina in the sun, 20 degrees of heat and a nice glass of red. Bags are on the ship and this is our relaxing time until we board.

I have just been reliably informed that Alison's sons are big Pompey fans. Gus, Ben, Alex...also Phil....where are ya....how many cobwebs are there in your trophy cabinet...and has the club shop re-opened!...COYR

Lingerie Expose

Security alert caused by Alison's baby doll nightie....as usual Alison exposes herself to get through security...for carrying liquid which wasn't even wine from last night...Mick can report that he celebrated burns night with a wee dram of talisker..currently having a full english breakfast build up our energy sources....Dave has gone for the healthy option of a croissant so English....that's all for now shipmates

Who are the Canary 4

I think it's about time we introduced the Canaries 4. Whose who!

This whole adventure is for the sole purpose of 2 great people who had their world turned upside approximately 4 years ago. Mike suffered a severe stroke, which affects 250000 people a year some of which will not be as fortunate as Mike. Mike is one of the lucky few that will go on to make a recovery. For some that recovery is a long and winding journey and for others it can be a complete and full recovery. Mike is still on his journey and its with the love and support of Alison, his family and friends that Mike is about to experience adventure like no other. It's great organisations like the jubilee sailing trust that make it all possible...but that's for another blog when we will video their motto inclusion rather than exclusion.

It's an honour and pleasure to share this experience with Mike and Alison and one we all won't forget....the other 2 myself and Sea shanty Dave will be revealed later.

Where's the Wind Gone

Morning shipmates. Well with a day to go until we fly out to board Tenacious in Las Palmas Gran Canaria. The Canaries 4 thought they would update the sailing enthusiasts amongst you. As you can see the wind forecast is light winds which will be a great for Mike and Alison to settle their stomachs. Forecast is light winds for most of the week with average temperatures of 17 to 18 degrees. So it looks like ginger biscuits won't be needed after all

Canaries 4 - Weather update

Sea Sick tablets - Check

Captains Blog - January 10th 2015

Entry read it was decided that the Canaries 4 astutely named after Dave Hales interest in birds one of a feathered variety, should meet.

So we set our heading lattitude 51.943042 and longtitude -1.211233 for our secret rendezvous somewhere off the M40 nowhere near water but some beautiful views of golden amber nectar.

After the quick introductions it was down to some serious conversation about our Sailing adventure which consisted of is it hot enough for shorts, what factor sun tan oil do I need and Dave's odd thought would vaseline be needed.....mmmh where am I sleeping thank god I have the top bunk!

Having finally decided whether or not ginger biscuits were better than sea sickness tablets we got onto more pressing issues of Mike and Dave and the songs they were going to sing whilst on watch or for those of you who are not familiar with sailing slang....look out. Those of you that do not know Dave he's a bit of a dark sea horse....musically talented on his fiddle and ukulele.

This would be the ideal time for those of you tuning into the blog for the first time to send in your requests to Mike and Dave. We will endeavour to video them and post on the blog. Mike and Alison want this to be an interactive blog....it's my first time blogging....so not too sure how you get your sea shanty requests out at sea....but just in case you feel like being part of Mike and Alison's adventure you  can email your request to sendmeasongatsea@gmail.com 

Mike will be sharing his location interactively via itouchmap.com and sharing a range of GPS co-ordinates via the blog as Wi-Fi reception isn't that great miles out at sea. Just plug in the co-ordinates and see where the Canaries 4 have been. Try it out with the co-ordinates above to find out where our first rendezvous took place. There's a treasure chest of gold for the first blogger response.

The Adventure begins....but let's explain to our fellow bloggers how we got to this day!!!!

Hi, thanks for visiting our blog.

Having undertaken a 70 mile cycle ride around the Isle of Wight on July 2nd 2011 to raise money for Mike and his wife to experience a Tall ship adventure we are finally ready to set Sail from Las Palmas Gran Canaria on January 26th 2015 with the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

Mike suffered a stroke 4 years ago which has left him with limited movement on his left hand side. Having spent the first 6 months at Oxford Centre for enablment Mike is now a long way along his journey on the road to recovery.  

The Jubilee Sailing Trust is a registered charity whose mission is to promote the integration of people of all physical abilities through the challenge and adventure of sailing tall ships on the open sea.The ships have been specially designed and built to achieve their mission.  They are an example of what can be done to enable people with very different levels of physical ability to participate fully.  They are also a reminder to people of how important simple design changes can be to making an environment inclusive. 

This will be a wonderful opportunity for Mike to be able to experience adventure sailing and to continue his journey towards further recovery.

Joining us on the adventure is Mike's wife Alison and my work colleague the one and only sea shanty Dave Hale and his parrot named 'Pieces of Eight'

Enjoy the blog as the adventure unwinds.....stayed tuned shipmates