Team Torbellino

It was with a degree of trepidation that we approached Hamble for the first of the Welcombe Hills school sixth form sailing trips. Eight students and their teachers were meeting us ready for a 4-day voyage on Merrilyn-the newest of the Rona Sailing Project yachts.

Would they like it? Would they be sick? Would they cope with the pressures of living on a boat with lots of other people? Was this going to work?

We needn’t have worried…

We divided into two watches, learned how not to block the loos and we were off…

Despite some early sickness from both staff and students, we soon settled into a routine. One watch cooking and cleaning and one watch sailing.

The sailing proved to be the easier part with the students soon learning the rudiments. After a lesson in clipping on and off, we soon moved on to hoisting sails, tacking and steering. Over the course of the trip, our crew gradually transformed into a well oiled machine capable of carrying out basic sailing manoeuvres whilst smiling, singing and fishing.

Cooking was slightly harder, not least due to the extremely demanding menu provided by the Rona sailing project. But, day after day, we rose to the challenge; conquering seasickness and producing such delicacies as roast lamb, roast ham, apple crumble and even making tinned tuna taste good. Every meal was followed by a mammoth wash up with everyone taking their turn.

Over the week we visited Cowes and Portsmouth by night and explored the Solent by day. We visited the Naval base at Portsmouth, ate ice creams in Cowes and anchored off the bay where Queen Victoria once swam. We even got to the pub once or twice.

All in all it was a wonderful trip. Getting to know the students and staff of the Welcombe hills School was a privilege. The level of commitment and professionalism of the staff was awesome. Most of all, the students were fantastic. They threw themselves into the challenge, worked together as a team and smiled and laughed so much of the time.

As we drove back up the M3, songs from Pirates of the Carribean still ringing in our ears, we planned more voyages, happy in the knowledge that the money raised through Team Torbellino is being properly used.

And then, strangely, we had a burning and irresistable desire for a drive thru' MacDonalds.