{"id":3989,"date":"2019-01-11T15:19:33","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T15:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/?p=3989"},"modified":"2019-01-13T15:47:33","modified_gmt":"2019-01-13T15:47:33","slug":"antigua-to-portsmouth-day-1-introducing-the-best-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/antigua-to-portsmouth-day-1-introducing-the-best-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"Antigua to Portsmouth Day 1: Introducing the Best Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Antigua<\/div>\n

The first of the blogs from the FCS crew on Challenger 4 as they set sail from Antigua to Portsmouth and make one of the epic journeys that sailing is all about.<\/p>\n

We’re Going To Barbuda!<\/h2>\n

The journey begins..\u00a0with us running away from the ‘not-so-Jolly Harbour’, nine members of our\u00a016 person crew having been struck down with a mysterious sickness bug, more\u00a0or less overnight.<\/p>\n

Some of the crew who slept on deck that night witnessed\u00a0a steady stream of their new found friends stumbling across the deck in the\u00a0semi darkness and hoping their aim over the side was true.<\/p>\n

Others were seen\u00a0waddling down the pontoons in some haste to get to the marina toilets. If\u00a0you have ever seen the Exorcist…<\/p>\n

The skipper made a wise decision for us to head to Barbuda and escape the\u00a0miasma. We anchored overnight to recuperate and sanitise the boat. A few of\u00a0our crew members commented on how different Barbuda looked after hurricane\u00a0Irma. I’m glad to say we had a peaceful night with only one further
\ncasualty.<\/p>\n

We started our voyage properly on Tuesday with a brilliant upwind sail with\u00a0the toe rail in the water. Our first overnight sail brought us a starry
\nclear night, phosphorescence in the wake and 20 to 30 knot winds.<\/p>\n

This did\u00a0much for crew morale as we settled into the watch system.<\/p>\n

Watch It All About?<\/h2>\n

On a daily basis 3 or 4 crew get a watch off sailing to do the cooking and\u00a0cleaning for the day. Our watch, the ‘Best Watch’, set the standard today
\nwith popcorn, bread and butter pudding and mango surprise.<\/p>\n

We also had a\u00a0mother watch crew member sort out that stench from the starboard side bilges\u00a0which turned out to be liquid courgette and aubergine, having only been at\u00a0sea for two days! We had thought it was tomorrow’s mother watch!<\/p>\n

Signing off after 1.5 hours overtime, we’ll be back with our next blog in 4\u00a0days’ time.<\/p>\n

Myles,\u00a0Ryan,\u00a0Chris
\nMerja selvisi tulematta sairaaksi. Ilma on kuuma ja taivas ja meri ovat tosi\u00a0suuria. (Merja survived without getting sick. The air is hot and the sky and the sea are great.)<\/p>\n

The Best Watch<\/p>\n

You can read more blogs from this voyage<\/a> or other Atlantic Sailing Adventures here <\/a><\/p>\n

Book Your Own Atlantic Adventure<\/h2>\n

If this blog has inspired you to have a voyage across one of the world\u2019s oceans then start speaking to the team in the office. They can assess which Atlantic voyage will be good for you and, if you need it, which RYA course<\/a> would take you to that level.<\/p>\n

Fill in the form below and they will call you back.<\/p>\n

\n\n