In early 2019, I felt I needed a challenge and decided to pursue a personal dream of sailing – an unusual goal given that Warwickshire is so landlocked.
Having consulted Google, I learned about the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) who provide opportunities to sail on tall ships. I had a good look through their voyages and initially chose a short one from Portsmouth to Poole which lasted for 3 days.
When you arrive on board you are assigned a buddy who is there to offer any support or assistance you may need, like finding your way around the ship. It was great because I had the opportunity to do everything that everyone else was doing – although I did get out of mess duty on my first voyage but I wasn’t going to complain too loudly about that!
Whilst on watch in the afternoon, it dawned on me just how relaxed I felt – I had left my worries on-shore and it was just me and the sea. I followed this trip with a longer London to Edinburgh voyage.
At about the same time, I heard about VISA GB (the Visually Impaired Sailing Association). I was invited to join them on a short sail from Lymington to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.
VISA GB do not have their own boats, so I was told simply to make my way to Brockenhurst train station with my sleeping bag. I was duly met at the station and my adventure began. What a great experience, meeting lots of VIP sailors, sharing experiences and generally having a wonderful time.
This all prepared me for the big trip. On 12th October 2019, seven visually impaired crew members, a sighted Skipper and a sighted Mate set out to Majorca to begin our VISA GB sailing holiday.
The VIP crew departed from different airports with the expectation that we would meet up at Majorca airport. The Skipper and his Mate would arrive later. Despite language problems we were able to find each other and our luggage – thanks largely to our mobile phones.
Being a guide dog user it always comes as a bit of a shock to the system to have to revert to using a cane. I had prepared myself, as I knew my mobility skills would need to be in tip-top shape for negotiating narrow pontoons and their presenting obstacles (namely ropes, wires and lights).
After being shown around the boat by a rep from the boat hire company we made ourselves at home and unpacked our things. Once the Skipper and Mate had arrived, a shopping party was assembled for the first shopping mission of the week. Meanwhile, the rest of us stayed on board getting to know each other and waiting for the shopping party to return.
One good thing about sailing is that there is a place for everything – and due to the limited space available there are few opportunities for people not to put things back where they had come from. This really makes life easier for VIPs who spend a lifetime tripping over other people’s paraphernalia.
The following day after a very leisurely breakfast and the safety briefing, which included being shown how to put on our life jackets, we set off for our first day of sailing.
We spent the next seven days exploring the Majorca coastline. We all had numerous opportunities to try out the tasks on-board, including dropping and lifting the anchor, helming (steering), managing the sails, mooring the boat, casting off, and even refuelling at the end of the week!
It was a great opportunity to develop new friendships and learn new skills with people who understood the real meaning of the word “empowerment”. The week culminated in a get together with another crew who were following in our wake.
I hope that my story inspires you to explore the world and fulfil your dreams. We should not be defined by our sight loss, we may have to adapt our approach and it may take a little bit longer, but what does that matter? It is that sense of achievement that is the most special and fantastic feeling in the world.
Travel Tips
1. Plan ahead – break tasks down into simple steps that are easier to manage
2. Exercise patience – getting flustered only makes things worse
3. If you can use a smart phone, then Google translate can help with communication whilst navigation can help with finding places
4. Take a photo of your luggage, you can then ask someone to help you collect it off the conveyor belt
5. Remember to enjoy yourself – adventures can be great but try to build in some ‘me’ time
