Gavin and Stacey's First Encounter скачать в хорошем качестве

Gavin and Stacey's First Encounter

Gavin takes delivery of the sailing canoe for his Round Britain Challenge The Challenge I will set out at the beginning of June and hope to have sailed round most of Britain by the end of August. All the way round mainland Britain by boat is approximately 2,200 nautical miles and almost certainly too far to travel in three months in a sailing canoe with a cruising speed of a little over 3 knots (equivalent to a fast walking pace). Most sailing yachts, with engines, take longer than this to sail round Britain. Taking the Caledonian Canal across northern Scotland knocks off around 400 nautical miles, saving about two weeks, and avoids the dangers of Cape Wrath and the Pentland Firth at the top of Scotland - making the round trip a bit more achievable. Even so, allowing for days ashore during bad weather it will often be necessary to sail or paddle for ten or more hours a day with departure times determined by the tides. Maintaining this pace for three months will be physically and mentally demanding. Also, navigating the coastal waters of Britain in a small open boat, 16' long by 40" wide with no engine, is not without its dangers. So, it's by no means certain I'll be able to get all the way round and prolonged spells of bad weather could easily lead to long delays. However, I am determined to try and am sure it will be a memorable experience, whatever the outcome. A sailing canoe, especially designed for the voyage is almost finished. It's being built by friends at Solway Dory, http://www.solwaydory.co.uk/ , who at their own expense, have made several modifications to their Shearwater sailing canoe design, so as to increase suitability for long offshore passages. I hope to be able to find somewhere to get ashore at the end of each day's sailing and pitch a tent; however, an occasional night in a B&B or with anyone willing to put me up will be a welcome change and chance to sleep in a bed and recharge the phone, netbook and my batteries. If it's not possible to get ashore easily, due to surf, difficult landings or river mud then an alternative will be to sleep in the canoe under a canvas tarp. Sailing itineraries are very difficult to predict as so much is dependent on wind and weather, and I know that if I have a fair wind, I'll need to take maximum advantage of the opportunity to push on. However, there will be a few definite stopping points which I hope to be able to publicise in advance and I also hope to meet up with friends and work colleagues on my way round. Circumnavigation UK, http://www.circumnavigation-uki.co.uk/ , gives much detail on the preparations necessary for a UK circumnavigation and has links to related websites. Hospitality Action For over 170 years Hospitality Action, http://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/ , the Hospitality Industry Benevolent Organisation, has offered vital assistance to all who work, or have worked within hospitality in the UK and who find themselves in crisis. They support people; • With illnesses such as Parkinson's Disease, cancer and Multiple Sclerosis • Experiencing poverty, bereavement and domestic violence • With sick or disabled children • Of all ages with a large proportion of those assisted under the age of 60 Funds raised as a result of this sailing challenge fundraising appeal will be used for; • Grants for essential items including food, clothing and central heating • Supporting often isolated and lonely retired hospitality workers • Holding seminars via The Ark Foundation to tackle the sometimes devastating effects of drugs and excessive alcohol consumption for Industry students and employees The Ark Foundation, started in 2007, is now part of Hospitality Action and has worked with many leading hospitality businesses to help them protect against the devastating consequences of alcohol and drug misuse. I've chosen to support this charity because of; • Hospitality Action's excellent work with catering and hospitality workers • My frequent contact, through work, with people in the hospitality industry • And because in a previous life I worked in catering and understand some of the demands and pressures of the industry