Diary
June 29, 2020
Sunshine and sailing
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With restrictions being eased throughout the UK at various rates, we have had the difficult task of trying to understand what this means for each of us and our activities. There have been bubbles and face coverings, agreement for some and not for others. Even for keen rule followers it has been a bit of…
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June 8, 2020
We are beginning to hear terms like ‘returning to a semblance of normality’ or ‘things feel more normal’ but I want to pause and actually think about whether we really do want to return to what was considered normal before this global pandemic. Old normal was not sustainable for the economy, people and, more importantly,…
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May 4, 2020
Well, April has come to an end and we are rapidly approaching seven weeks of restricted movement. The death toll from Covid-19 appears to have moved passed the peak as a result of our social distancing measures and the fantastic work carried out by the NHS. Together with our neighbours, we have regularly stood to…
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April 17, 2020
Adapt, Improvise & Overcome
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That is what the US Marine Corps are taught. A mindset that allows them to deal with any physical, mental or spiritual hardship. When forced to, like we have been recently, we can adapt. Change can take place quickly, but it takes time to transition to an ongoing behaviour. In the UK we have experienced…
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March 30, 2020
Isolation – Week One My fitness regime often includes signing up to an exercise class or having a planned session. That way I feel committed which makes it much harder to find an excuse not to go. Once you have made the effort to get as far as the gym doors you may as well…
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March 18, 2020
Isolated but not alone
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I know a bit about isolation and would go so far as to say that I have self-isolated on two occasions. When I took part in the Vendee Globe, I spent three months at sea alone and on the Aviva Challenge I was alone at sea for six months. My home for that time was…
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February 28, 2020
February reflections
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I am exhausted from battling the wind and rain from what feels like never ending storm cycles battering the UK this month. But, in reality, I am complaining about the muddy dog walks, the endless cycle of dirty dog towels and a few roads closed due to floods or trees down here and there, which…
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January 30, 2020
A busy start to 2020
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It’s been a very busy, constructive and celebratory start to the year for me. The growth of the double handed mixed offshore class has piqued the interest of many sailors and I am among them. So, I was excited to have the chance to reunite with Henry Bomby and be invited onboard his Jeanneau Sunfast…
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December 19, 2019
As we approach the end of an eventful 2019, I reflect on a year that has been an interesting mix of activities for me personally. I have competed in a variety of sailing events across the globe and been fortunate to sail with some talented teams and individuals along the way. Being invited to speak…
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December 4, 2019
Sailing now and in the future
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As we come towards the close of 2019, life has been a good mix of sailing and speaking. In the last edition of The Ocean Race I had the pleasure of sailing with Francesca Clapcich onboard Turn the Tide on Plastic. Francesca had launched her latest project at the Barcolana in October and invited…
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