A week later

Mon 5th June

We have had a week to recover from our amazing, not to be missed, sailing and running experience. Trevor and Josie are now fighting the elements bringing the boat home from Fort William, having taken the train back up to Fort William on Saturday. They were storm bound in Corpach yesterday sheltering from 70 mph gales. Jackie has done a mountain marathon this weekend in the Lakes and is now totally exhausted! John has spent the last week Munro bagging and has gone from sailing exhausted to walking exhausted.

A very big thank you to everyone involved and everyone who sponsored us.

Richard Stradling, our home based support, who supplied us with daily wind conditions and put together a brilliant blog.

Our land based back-up crew Bill, Josie, Helen and Christine who drove many miles around the country, catching up and patiently waiting for us in port at all times of the day and night.

Andy & Rachel who slept out on Snowdon on the Sunday evening when we did not turn up - quote from Rachel "it was worth it for the sunrise".

Josie for trailing us in the car on the very hot road runs to and from Snowdon, supplying gallons of water and Andy's delicious homemade flapjacks.

Christine at Ennerdale hostel, Pauline & Alan at Black Sail Youth hostel and Gail & John at Wasdale Head, who gave us food, water and inspiration to keep running and cycling on the Scafell Pike day.

Ed & Kath for turning up at Whitehaven to wave us off.

Richard & Bev who had an enjoyable stay at Wasdale Head but were too early to support us due to circumstances beyond our control!

Christine, Bill and Helen for supplying us with more food and water at the Ben Nevis Inn, at the start and end of the climb.

"Josephine", Trevor & Josie without which it would not have been possible!

Twelve50 bikes of Frodsham for giving us advice on our bikes and servicing them before the race.

AMEC for fund matching the SOS children donations.

Meryonydd Yacht club for organising the whole event; it was amazing seeing familiar faces from Barmouth crop up at places all over the British Isles.

Everyone who offered us support and advice.

So far we have raised £4,000 for our chosen charities:
St Anns Hospice, Heald Green
Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Chester
SOS Children
Round Table Children’s Wish

A very big thank you to all who have contributed so kindly to these worthwhile causes.

Over and out

Trevor, Phil, Jackie, John & Richard.


Pictures below show Phil and Jackie crossing the finish line. The whole team with their medals. Saying thanks to their sponsors and charities – twelve50 bikes, SOS children and Round Table Children’s Wish.

A full set of pictures are available on picasa.

Results summary

Mon 28th June

Here is a summary of the results for the Silver Surfers, compared to the max, mean and min times of all the other boats competing. Times are given for the Sailing passage and the Run section individually, plus the combined time for the whole Leg.

























There appear to be a few errors in the times given, but not for the Silver Surfers (although it would affect the mean and minimum vales).
Fantom, sailing passage #2 time should be 40:54:00 and not 20:45:52
GFT Adventure Aggregate sail time should be 87:13:00 and not 20:45:52
Ben Folds Five Aggregate sail time should be 113:44:00 and not 20:45:52

Results available

Sun 27th June

Results are now available for all the Legs on the website at http://www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk/teams/results/ (although a few obvious mistakes in some of the numbers - they look reasonable for the Silver Surfers).

Finishing words

Fri 25th June - 16:00

Finishing - achieving our goal. We finally drifted into Fort William at 9 30 this morning and despatched our runners to Ben Nevis. The support crew were there as a whole, good to see them. We also got a finishing horn. The big news is that we won the last inn trophy, our tactical nous proved second to none.

Would we do it again? It definitely has a 'bug' about it. Let's see if the motivation is still there in a few months time.

Trevor feels we need to improve our rowing technique.
Richard great week, great people, great adventure, too many pies.
Phil says a busy day is a happy day (I think he's had too much sun).
Jackie, life on the ocean wave, amazing experience, good fun, exhausting, wouldn’t have missed it.
John fantastic experience so much to learn and a very addictive activity.

Now for the first beer in a week.

Over and out.

Finished!

Fri 25th June - 14:00

Jackie and Phil (with medals) after completing the run up and down the Ben (background - without clouds now).

Congratulations to Jackie, John, Phil, Richard and Trevor!

A word of thanks should also go out to the support crew - Bill, Josie, Helen and Christine plus numerous others during the week (I will add the full list when I get home and find the sheet).

PS. Got the list now: The following helped or tried to help, apologies if I have forgotten anybody. Gail and John, Alan and Pauline, Rachel, Andy, Richard and Bev, Ed and Kath.

Josephine in Corpach

Fri 25th June - 11:00

Spoke to Bill - sitting having a drink waiting for Jackie and Phil to return from the Ben - and apparently they landed at about 09:30.

This picture sent by John of Josephine sitting in Corpach, with a few clouds showing in the background. She is sitting next to No 6 (team Kishinoor) and No 19 (Team Torbellino).

Arrived - but not quite sure when

Fri 25th June - 10:08

Just got back to my computer to see that they have arrived! Not had time to call anyone to find the exact time of arrival, but here is the proof. Assume that Phil and Jackie are on their way up the Ben now.

Within sight

Fri 25th June - 08:55

Passing the town of Fort William (on the right) with the final destination in sight. Only the run up the Ben (shown in blue) to do! Looks like another warm day.

A further text from Jackie

Thu 24th June – 22:45

Trevor, John and Richard rowing now to try and make Corran Straits and Fort William with favourable currents (midnight to 6 am). If not, stuffed in this flat calm! Phil and Jackie banned from helping!

A text from Jackie

Thu 24th June – 21:15

All getting a bit cabin feverish as we move very slowly up loch Linnhe against the current which will change in our favour at midnight. Bill, Helen, Josie and Christine having dinner at Corran Straits hotel – breakfast would have been a better bet for seeing us sail past! Phil and me watching football, drinking hot chocolate made by “Trevor the specs”, wondering when we will be racing up the Ben. Views special and plenty of time to enjoy!

This is the position about 30 minutes later.

Almost there (again)

Thu 24th June – 19:30

Just off Lismore – about 20 miles to go?

More words from John

Thu 24th June – 14:00

The final stretch, great reach up the north channel followed by dead calm off the Mull of Kintyre for 6 hours, wind picked up meant that we could use the Sound of Islay (10 knots both wind and current) with perfect timing, in company with Prairie Oyster and Siggi Mae. Now another great run towards Lismore still racing Prairie Oyster. Siggi Mae reaches way faster than we do and is way off in the distance now.

Trevor has re-taped his glasses and if he looks to the right he always sees blue sky

Now the challenge of Lismore and Corran narrows before our runners complete our race with Ben Nevis

Positions below are from about the same time. You can see their tracks going between Islay and Jura.

Oh Mull of Kintyre

Wed 23rd June – 24:00

Here are the positions, at about midnight, of the boats that left Whitehaven on Wednesday evening.

Of the boats in the leading pack, all but one have reached Fort William, and some of the teams will have completed the run by now. Apparently it is party time tomorrow evening (Thursday) – which is about the time Josephine could arrive in Fort William.

Words from the boat

Wed 23rd June – 21:00

First, an e-mail from John:

Fantastic performance by the runners on Scafell. Left on the first tide with a good wind, only to run into a huge hole in the wind! Slopping around outside Whitehaven is not funny, (blew the runners sleep pattern too) especially as later boats avoided it by sailing more to the Isle of Man. Umph!

Had exactly the same but for a shorter period off the Mull of Galloway.

Now sailing the north channel, reaching fast under spinnaker, exciting stuff. Looking forward to the challenge of the Scottish locks


Second, a text from Jackie.

Wanted to check that the poem was on the blog – yes it is, see post from Sunday (A poem for the Silver Surfers).

Trevor tried a beer during football but claims to have lost the taste! Missed the goal because all hands on deck at that time untangling spinnaker! Sailing towards Ireland at present to avoid currents sending us south! Raining!

Progress on Wednesday

Wed 23rd June - 17:00

Looks like about 5 boats have arrived in Fort William. Silver Surfers are making steady progress together with their pack of boats who left Whitehaven yesterday evening. The picture below shows just their group. As you may have guessed, had to take a bit of time off to watch another sporting event. Meanwhile, I hope our crew have been concentrating on the sailing.

The Results at the Three Peaks Yacht Race website now appears to be up to date as far as the Snowdon and Scafell Legs go. As I understand it, the “Pos” column in the middle of the table is for the sailing leg, and the “Pos” column at the right is for the total sailing and running in that leg, so is not the overall position by the time you get to leg 2.

A further text from Jackie

Wed 23rd June – 06:00

Very uncomfortable night for everyone. No wind, choppy sea and rattling sails. Wind, speed and mood just picked up!

The end of a great day

Tue 22nd June - 23:00

Last post of the day, the group of 7 boats with the Silver Surfers in the middle have left Whitehaven about 15 miles behind. Now it's the long sail up to Fort William. The results given on the official website are still well behind the current status, so only a few of the numbers make any sense. Hopefully it will be up to date by tomorrow.

A text from Jackie

Tue 22nd June – 19:45

A text from Jackie, after their return from Scafell Pike, which I have converted from text-speak to blog speak.

Great run today! A bit cooler! 8 hour 59 min 25 sec on Phil’s watch. Great support en-route, Christine at Ennerdale YH, Alan and Pauline at Black Sail, Gail and John at Wasdale Head (between school runs). Bill and Helen at base, Ed and Kath turned up to wave us off! Trevor, John and Richard ate and did not drink [alcohol]. Left at first lock opening! Very bumpy now 7 knots.

And a few pictures sent by John at about the same time. Richard on deck and Phil below. Looks like an easy life!

Departure from Whitehaven

Tue 22nd June – 17:20

A quick chat with Bill at about 17:20:
Yes, Jackie and Phil arrived back at 5:00 pm, meaning they completed the course in 9 hours, exactly as planned. Since the lock gates to the harbour would not open for at least another 30 minutes, there was time for a shower before getting back on the boat. Apparently, Jackie though it an unnecessary luxury, but was outvoted 4 to 1. At that moment there was a shout from the skipper to get back on the boat ready for departure, so end of call.

First picture shows them waiting by the lock gates at about 18:00 and the second one is about an hour later with three of them several miles from Whitehaven and a few more boats just leaving.

Words from the team

Tue 22nd June – 15:00

Arrived at Whitehaven 8 this morning (high tide -- lucky) our runners are going well, could be a good time and we will leave at 5 which is the first opportunity for the tide anyway. Has our luck turned?

Thoughts from last night’s sail:

Trevor - Long [sail], appreciated Jackie waking up to pack the chute [spinnaker].
Richard - Good to have a long spinnaker run.
John - Classic Irish sea, glorious sunsets, variable winds, smooth to wind over tide lumpy in 5 hours, welcome to the washing machine!

The runners slept through the lumpy bit but loved al fresco hot pot to sunset over the isle of man.
Next is the Mull of Galloway with tides against, more eddie sailing and close to land stuff.

Arriving in Whitehaven

Tue 22nd June – 08:00

Apparently it was spuds and hotpot for tea last night – must of worked well as they have made good progress up to Whitehaven with a group of 6 other boats and two a bit further behind. Tracking pictures below show the situation at around 02:45, when they were east of the IOM, and then just as they were arriving at Whitehaven marina at 8 o’clock this morning. They hope to do the cycle/run leg in under 10 hours (the Leaderboard is being updated at present, so I can’t check any other times, but the fastest I saw last night was about 7hours 10 mins.) and so should be back in Whitehaven around 18:00. I hope to get some update from the non-runners when they have had their breakfast in Whitehaven.

The longest day - part 2

Mon 21st June – 23:00

This is their position at about 23:00. The wind is forecast to be picking up a bit more, mainly from the south or south-west, so progress should continue to be good, but it is just a forecast! Based on this, Bill departed from Helsby during the evening to spend the night in Whitehaven, ready for an expected arrival on Tuesday morning.

The map also shows the cycle section (light-green) and the run section (blue) up to Scafell Pike. Boat No 3, EADS Innovation Works, has now taken a reasonable lead after the Scafell Pike section, passing Team Whistler (No 20). They appear to have some crack runners as their time up Snowden was very fast (under 3hour 40min – click on Race Leaderboard at the Three Peaks Yacht Race website) and I assume they have performed equally well here (no time to check the detail yet).

John’s summary of Sunday evening and Monday morning

Mon 21st June – 15:00

Once our brave runners had returned from the heat (Phil got cramp) we blasted out to get over Caernarfon bar and go around the island. Our timings and wind for the shorter route were poor. However about 11 pm the wind disappeared and we ended up sailing currents, getting to Holy Island about 4. We decided to anchor off and catch the better currents and winds in the morning. Going around Holy Island sailing eddies and the last of the unfavourable currents was a challenge, we the started the long haul to Whitehaven with a cruising chute, Trevor’s sailing music and beef burgers courtesy of Jackie.

Next stop Whitehaven we hope (rather yet another becalmed episode)

The racing is fun, despite our myriad of mistakes we are constantly passing and being passed by our near competitors.


And this is Jackie doing what a good runner does - resting hard.



















This was their position at about 17:00, with a group of 6 other yachts, as mentioned by John.

Some pictures from the support crew

Here are some pictures taken by Bill. In chronological order:

Rowing practice in Barmouth (I thought it was just sailing and running!)



















Team photograph in Barmouth



















Kit check before the run, in Caernarfon.

























Josephine off Caernarfon.

The longest day

Mon 21st June - 10:30

Our crew would have experienced sunrise over Anglesey on this, the longest day of the year. Here is their position a good six hours after sunrise. No word from them recently. If anyone has anything to report, send me a text or leave a comment.

A new race is developing

Sun 20th June - 23:00

As we reach the end of a long summer’s evening, for the observers it is approaching time for bed and thoughts of a Monday at work, out near the NW tip of Wales a five boat race is developing. It will be interesting to see how things look come the morning.

Moving swiftly on

Sun 20th June - 20:00

They have opted for the route to the west of Anglesey, and looks like they are not the only ones. Great to see them moving again, and wishing them a nice evening sail to get the team back together. If they keep a good average speed it will be at least 20 hours sailing to Whitehaven, so a full night (and more) on the water and another mountain run in the afternoon.




















I have to tell you about the cricket. Warwickshire batted first and managed a relatively poor 126. Lancashire looked well on target, reaching 100 after losing just 2 wickets. However, with some good bowing, Lancashire were on 121 with just two balls to go . . . yeeeeeeesssss a 6!

John’s summary of the first 20 hours of the race

Sun 20th June – 17:30

Great day in the race, fantastic start at 4pm Saturday followed by a lumpy beat to windward (one direction thankfully) to Bardsey. Managed to be over powered a few times till we reefed and then made up substantial ground on those who didn't. Bardsey sound was our first adventure and we were going nowhere until we really understood the lady who said 'keep real close to the cliffs'. If you don't the current just makes you go backwards and forwards on the same line!

Once round Bardsey we had a nice sail amongst a pack of ten or twelve boats which cumulated in our reaching Caernarfon bar amongst the first of our group, only for us to be becalmed and see the following boats sail (or row) past our static position. We should have rowed a lot harder, by not constantly pushing we ended up in an unfavourable current and lost a vital two hours before we had enough wind to get through, whereas our worthy competitors got through before the current and made the tidal gate of the swellies, not only that we made our runners do Snowden in the midday sun (just heard they are walking the last 4 miles)! Finally to add insult to injury the unmarked sandbank just outside Caernarfon decided we should go nowhere for two hours (landed the runners by dinghy from stranded yacht!) and that meant we missed any chance of the High water gate for the swellies (it was tight anyway).

So now its decision time , wait for a Swellies gate (low water at midnight!) or go around Anglesey. In order not to divulge tactics to those going for the Last Inn cup that can remain a state secret till we do it. (will we be 6 hours behind or 18 hours behind, to go or not to go...) Having heard a race favourite has grounded in the swellies maybe not...

So near and yet so far

Sun 20th June - 12:30


Almost arrived in Caernarfon but a bit stuck at present. Phil ready to run.

















I'm off to watch the T20 cricket - so no posts for the next few hours - come on Lancashire!

A Poem for the Silver Surfers

This was delivered before the start, but posting now as something to help keep the spirits up on this fine but frustrating morning.

To Captain Murphy (and the whole crew).

Good luck in your race today, you’ll blow the competition away!
And when it comes to sailing boats, yours will zoom by as the others struggle to float!
The wind is good and the water clear, your pace and skill will fill the competition with fear.
So stretch those sails and turn the wheel, the race is there for you to steel!

Frustrating times (frustrating tides)

Sun 20th June - 06:30

No wind and the tide is going the wrong way, so stuck just outside the Straits! The first boat is just setting off from Caernarfon - they are allowed to use the engine apparently.

Getting close to the Menai Straits

Sun 20th June - 03:30

Received a text from Jackie at 03:00 to say that they have got up ready to run, but that the wind has dropped so they will be delayed now.

Towards the end of Leg 1

Sun 20th June - 02:00

The first two boats have arrived in Caernarfon.

Midnight of day 1

Sat 19th June - Midnight

Continuing progress NE up towards Caernarfon, but difficult to estimate their ETA. (Have some doubts about the minute-by-minute accuracy of the tracking as No 19 has spent some time on-land, but is now back on the water!) Several calls from Bill and Josie in Caernarfon, where everything appears well organised for the arrival. Also contact with Rachel and Andy on top of Snowdon - apparently it is quite busy up there tonight. At least most of us can get a bit of sleep now.

Tracking - past Bardsey Sound

Sat 19th June - 22:00

Past Bardsey Sound and heading NE back up the coast towards Caernarfon.

Tracking - approaching Bardsey Sound

Sat 19th June - 20:00

Screaming along towards Bardsey Sound (between Bardsey Island and the Peninsula), John at the helm.

Tracking position at about the same time.

Tracking - 2 hours in

Sat 19th June - 18:00

Well on their way across the bay towards the Lleyn Peninsular.

Tracking - the start

Sat 19th June - 16:00

All of the boats lining up off Barmouth for the start. Look for No 16 again. The white line shows their track since leaving Barmouth.

Tracking - before the start

Sat 19th June 15:00

Use the tracking at the Three Peaks Yacht Race website http://live.adventuretracking.com/tpyr2010. This was the situation at 15:00 - looks like they are moving out to prepare for the start. The Silver Surfers are No 16 in this image (right at the left-hand edge).

and this is a picture from the boat, looking back at the rest of the fleet, at the same time.

Team photograph

Saturday 19th June.


Unlike England football games, the Silver Surfers team has been known for ages, but it is good to have a new official photograph on the morning of the start. Here they are in Barmouth, concentration in their eyes, courage in their hearts, steel in their nerves and not a drop of alcohol in the blood.

The wind is picking up, exceeding 20 mph at times from the north during the afternoon, so likely to be an exhilarating first leg.

Good luck to them from us all.

Arrival in Barmouth

Friday 18th June - Barmouth.

Trevor arrived late morning and we spent the afternoon getting ready for our safety inspection at 3pm. Passes with flying colours. Headed for land to watch football........ aaaaarrrrrggggghhhh!!!!! and had a few drinks at the club house (- except Jackie who is still abstaining!).

John & Jackie

Baking news

Friday 18th June - Helsby.

"Cakes, cakes and more cakes” - SolutionsPT employee Wendy Snell is well know for her baking skills and has put these to good use in baking a supply of cakes for the event. These were delivered to Phil on Thursday - the big question is will they ever make it to the boat?

Room on Deck

Thursday 17th June.

Pwlhelli - Loaded boat up with provisions to find limited space. In Trevor’s absence has a bit of a nosey and a good sort out. Amazing what you can find on a yacht! Serious sailors usually don't take 2 fridges, microwave, TV, DVD, hoover, BBQ (several), champagne flutes, multiple large cushions, feather duvets, surf boards, wet suits, mono ski, fishing gear....... but we have got them all !!!

Motor over to Barmouth uneventful although again had a couple of dolphins bow riding with us!

Very hot on arrival, could have been abroad!

Met the organisers, looking forward to the race ahead.

John and Jackie.



Josephine in Barmouth - you may recognise the rail bridge in the background.

READY STEADY GO!

Wednesday 16th evening - Running shoes and kit selected, Food bought, bikes serviced, yacht ship shape, bags packed and van loaded. Thank goodness for the camper van. Bill, Jackie and John off to Pwllheli this evening in order to hit the early morning high water on Thursday and sail the yacht to Barmouth for scrutinnering and safety checks on Thursday/Friday. Ready for the big day Saturday. Rest of the team rendezvous in Barmouth on Friday/Saturday.

Jackie (Wed 16th June)


ready to pack the van.