It's been a relatively quiet week this week which has provided an opportunity to play "catch-up" on a lot of long-overdue jobs, not least paperwork - grrr, I hate paperwork.

Behind Personal Atlantic, just as it was behind Personal Everest, there lies the proverbial mountain of paperwork.  Although my events are run "not for profit" with the primary aim of raising awareness for disabled sailing, it is a company, Personal Everest Ltd, under which the events are run.  So as MD of PE Ltd, I have all the joys of keeping company accounts, filling in quarterly VAT returns, the list seems endless, and all to do everything "above board" and keep HMRC happy.  All I want to do is go sailing, if only it were that easy..!!

Scarlet Oyster leaving Cowes

On Sunday last week, we were invited to the start of the Ellen Macarthur Trust Round Britain voyage which began from the UKSA in Cowes, IOW.  What a great day.  Scarlet Oyster, a 45 ft yacht is retracing Ellen's voyage around the coast of the UK.  She will visit 17 destinations and on each leg will be joined by children who are recovering from cancers like leukaemia.  All the details are on the excellent website, CLICK HERE to have a look. It is a wonderful cause and if you have not already donated, can I encourage you to do so by clicking the link to the left of this page.  My new crew member came down for the occassion - I thought it would be a good idea to introduce her to my world of sailing and some of my sailing friends. Thankfully she wasn't sea-sick on the ferry and wasn't frightened off by all of the "salty sea-dog" stories so that bodes well.  She starts in mid-June at which point I will formally introduce her to you all or, better still, I'll let her introduce herself to you..!!

Tim and Rosie on the Paddle last year.

I have two extremely worthwhile causes to attend this weekend. Sunday morning I'll be dropping Timothy off at the Upper Hamble Country Park for the 2nd annual Hamble River Paddle organised by Hamble Valley Rotary in aid of the charity Water Aid. Full details CLICK HERE. My son Tim took part last year with my fellow Rotarian Rosie "Rusty" Hinge and helped her paddle their canoe up river.  He loved it so much, he's invited himself back again for another go.  I hope Rosie manages to make the trip without throwing him overboard.

From there, I will be dashing across to Mayflower Park for the Deloitte Southampton Cycle-thon in aid of the Sailor's Society.  CLICK HERE for details. I have the honour of handing out some of the prizes in the afternoon. If you are around, do come down and give the cyclists a cheer as they raise money for such a great cause.  Thankfully the weather is looking favourable so good news for the paddlers and the cyclists. Hopefully I'll get plenty of good photos to post on the Blog.

Impossible Dream continues to make her way back to the UK. The last report was sent yesterday, south of the Ballearics in the Med, motoring, making good progress in calm seas and blue skies.

Well, Impossible Dream and her crew set off a week ago but bad weather forced an earlier than expected stop-over in Sicily. The crew are taking the opportunity to catch up on some servicing and repairs, they are due to be on their way again tomorrow.

It's been another busy week as I continue to chase potential sponsors and deal with the mountain of administration that lies behind a challenge of this nature. For example, meetings with potential PR agencies, speaking to production companies about the possibility of a documentary - whilst all the time trying to manage home life and honour my obligations in support of various organisations - I promised myself after Personal Everest that I would not get myself into this predicament again but I guess it must come with the territory - until I actually get the financial backing and, if the project is to maintain momentum, then the responsibility lies on my shoulders to get the work done (I'm not complaining, I think I secretly enjoy it).

On Saturday 25th April, I had the honour of being invited to the launch of Dougal, a custom-built, wheelchair accessible motor-boat platform at Fishbourne Sailability in the Isle of Wight.  It was a great day and you may have seen the write-up in my previous Blog.  I thought you'd like to see a picture of me at the helm.

If you didn't know already, one of my proudest associations is with the Rose Road Association. I've been a Patron of their Change My Life Appeal for just over a year now and they are the most wonderful charity catering for profoundly disabled children. In addition to the kids themselves, one of the strengths of the RRA and what makes the charity so special, is the people who run it; there are many I could mention, but Gary Thomasson who heads up the fundraising department and has been instrumental in raising the profile and funding of the RRA, is one of its stars.  It is very much a local charity so there will be those reading this for whom it has no direct bearing, but please do visit their site www.roseroad.org.uk and support them if you can.  On Tuesday this week, I attended a breakfast meeting for their corporate supporters and, in addition to announcing that they have raised £300,000 towards their £500,000 Change My life Appeal (which is fantastic news), they announced the November date for their annual Crystal Ball at the De Vere hotel in Southampton.  Elaine and I went last year and it was one of the highlights for the year.  This year promises to be even bigger and better.  I know I sound like a salesman, but I really want this wonderful charity to succeed - if you fancy going to the Ball, the details are on their website.  Picture below of me and various supporters - Gary is the guy directly behind me.

At 2130 last night, Impossible Dream slipped her mooring lines in Valetta marina in Malta and set sail on her journey back to the UK.  Mike and the crew are currently making towards Sardinia.  The route will take them out of the Med past Gibraltar and into the Atlantic before heading North back across the Bay of Biscay and back to the UK.  There is still a long way to go but it has suddenly all become much more “real” knowing that she is on her way back.

It’s been a busy week.  On Tuesday I got the news that two grant-making Trusts have made generous donations to the project (formal announcements to follow) and a major marine clothing company has also agreed to become a technical sponsor and supply our specialist clothing (again, a formal announcement to follow).  So obviously huge excitement and pleasure at the news.

It was Timothy’s 7^th birthday on the 22^nd April.  Amongst his cards was one stating great events in history that had occurred on the same date.  One in particular stood out, 22^nd April 1969, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston becoming the first person to sail non-stop around the world – let’s hope it doesn’t give Tim any ideas (or me). Many congrats to RK-J.

Some of the guys and girls taking part in Access Football.

On the same day, I had the very great honour of being asked to open a disabled football initiative in Southampton.  “Access Football”  is a terrific idea and they are lucky to have wonderful facilities and a committed group of people making it happen.  Although predominantly those with learning disabilities at the moment, it is open to anyone with a disability across the Southampton area.  Anyone interested should contact Jon Randall at the Chamberlayne Leisure Centre.

Yesterday, Saturday 25^th, I had another great honour, to attend as a special guest the launch of a new wheelchair accessible powerboat / water taxi at Fishbourne Sailability on the Isle of Wight.  The boat has been designed to take out disabled members of the group to watch the sailing, fishing or just being out on the water.  It has a second, swing-away steering console, like a duel-steering car, so disabled users can practice their powerboat driving skills whilst being supervised by a powerboat instructor – a great piece of kit.  Tim, proud temporary-owner for the weekend of Harry, the class bear, got to share the occasion with Gay Edwards, High Sherriff of the Isle of Wight.

My day was made today with a phone call.  I didn’t recognise the number, it began 00 88……  Intrigued I answered only to hear my dear friend Sarah Outen on the other end, phoning from her 16ft row boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean.  It was very moving as she explained the sun had just set on a beautiful day at sea, all by herself.  The stars were just beginning to show and she had been visited by pilot whales, yellow fin tuna and an albatross.  Isn’t technology amazing, it was though she were phoning from next door.  After 25 days at sea and at least 100 more ahead of her, she was in great spirits with apparently no blisters, no sores and still a plentiful supply of mars bars.  Do please check out her website, she’s an amazing girl doing an amazing adventure for a great cause.

Although that would be quite enough excitement for one week for most people, in 45 minutes I will be heading off to the Blue Reef aquarium in Southsea with Elaine, Timothy and 14 of his friends for his “Shark Party”.  Apparently it involves the birthday boy feeding the sharks – feeding them what, (or who), I don’t know – wish me luck.  Photos to follow.

A big thanks to Shelley Jory & Tracy Clarke at BBC Radio Solent's H20 Show for having me on the show last Friday and allowing Timothy to come along and see the inner workings of the BBC, although he was disappointed when he learned that Sally Taylor wouldn't be there.  You can dowload the show at THIS LINK, my bit is about half way through. 

I'm really pleased to report that the delivery crew fly out to Malta at the end of this week to bring Impossible Dream back to UK waters.  This really feels like something positive is starting to happen, especially after all the talking, finally the boat will be on her way back.  It's a long trip which will take several weeks, stopping off at Gibraltar.  Amongst the delivery crew is friend and himself a record-breaking yachtsman, Alan Priddy.  A couple of years ago, Alan sailed the yacht Lively Lady around the world, once owned by the yachtsman Sir Alec Rose.  No stranger to putting together his own marine challenges, Alan's journey took a group of underpriviliged kids around the world, a journey which quite literally changed their lives. Alan has now offered his services, and those of his charity, Offshore Expeditions, to help me achieve Personal Atlantic.  You'll be hearing more of Alan later.  He will also be forwarding me details of the return delivery from Malta which I will be posting on the Blog.

And finally, fish, dozens of them, caught by my goodself and fishing buddy Paul on Sunday south of the IOW. After months of nothing, it was great to actually catch and eat some fresh fish....!  So no more taking the mickey about my lack of fishing prowess!!!

This morning over breakfast in a hotel lobby, I found myself overhearing a bizarre exchange between 2 men, and I was one of those being discussed.

 The conversation related to the BBC’s “The One Show” last night. There was a piece on sailing which concluded with Matthew Pincent interviewing quadriplegic Hilary Lister.  Hilary is attempting to repeat my circumnavigation and sail around GB.  She tried last year but was defeated by bad weather and kit problems. The piece on TV, although stating she hoped to be the first female quadriplegic to complete the voyage, it made no reference to my trip in 2007.  “So what?” you might say.  Well, for no other reason, by ignoring what has gone before, it is an insult to all of those who made it happen; sponsors, crew, friends and family.  There is also a danger that history gets re-written and, with the journalists always keen for stories of “the first”, they are allowing themselves to overlook the facts.

 But then I hear this guy in the hotel say to his colleague, “I’m sure some guy already did that last year”.  To which his friend replies, “it’s not the same, that guy could move his arms”.

 “Move his arms!!!”  They were referring to me. I was dumbstruck.  These two, fit, healthy guys, discussing the merits of two quadriplegics, and just because I have 25% arm mobility (0% hand mobility), that somehow made my achievement less “newsworthy”.

 And then it kind of dawned on me that people have no real comprehension of quadriplegia.  Quadra means 4 in Latin.  It is when all 4 limbs are effected.  I broke my neck at the 5^th cervical verbrae, and it paralysed my triceps and all my wrist, hand and finger movement is non-existent. All the movement I have above my chest is a severely reduced bicep function and no feeling at all in my arms and clawed hands.  But because I have adapted a trick movement which allows me to move my paralysed arms around, it has, in the minds of some, made me “less disabled”.  

I know Hilary well, we are friends.  Like me, she hates being referred to as courageous or brave.  We are just getting on with our lives the best we can in difficult circumstances.  Even though I can just about “move my arms”, like Hilary, I can not get out of my chair unaided, I can not get onto a bed unaided or go to the loo unaided; being a quadriplegic is bloody tough and it makes you reliant on others to exist – it is that which I hate the most and, I would guess, so too would Hilary.

 Yes I am lucky, having a bit of arm movement does allow me to steer my own wheelchair and to put food in my own mouth, but it is not without pain and discomfort to do so.  Unfortunately for me it would appear that little bit of movement makes my story less impressive – 109 days away, visiting 51 destinations and sailing 1,500 miles (all without self-steering and using my teeth and limp arms to pull ropes.

 So when I hear people who don’t know the true meaning of quadriplegia suggesting that someone who can move their arms is “less disabled” than someone who can’t, I do get quite upset.  This isn’t a case of “she’s more disabled than you”, it’s about recognising the strength of the human spirit which drives us, not the strength of our limbs.

 In case you are wondering, no, I didn’t introduce myself to the men, I was too saddened by what I heard.

Click here for the BBC interview.

Me with Sarah and Ellen

(Sarah's boat in background)

If you are joining me for the first time, then you may be one of the many who saw me on the BBC today.  Roger Johnson has just left my house having filmed his piece for tonight's programme much to my wife's embarrassment as she is having her highlights done and had to bid him farewell with a skull cap pulled over her head and the smell of peroxide in the air.  Oh, the pleasures of being female.

Web traffic on the site has been building steadily in recent weeks and it is thanks to all of the publicity which has been generated in the press.  We had a whole page in the Portsmouth News last week and I have done interviews for forward publication in a variety of magazine and journals including Yachting Monthly, Beautiful Britain and the RNLI magazine to name but a few, so watch out for them.

All the publicity helps to raise the profile of the project which should, hopefully, attract a sponsor.  We have had several good leads with potential sponsors but the dreaded "credit crunch" has been a considerable factor for those considering sponsorship. I remain, as ever, optimistic, and the challenge will happen regardless of whether we find a sponsor, but it is such a wonderful opportunity, it would be a shame for a company to miss out on the journey.

Talking of journeys, my friend Sarah Outen has set out, for a second time, on her attempt to row the Indian Ocean.  If you have not done so already, I really would encourage you to visit Sarah's website www.sarahouten.co.uk and read her blogs and view her tracker.  Crikey, I thought I had a difficult task ahead of me, but it is nothing compared to what lies ahead for Sarah.

If you haven't already registered to receive updates on this site, then please do so, it's very easy, we only ask for your name and email address.  And if you haven't explored the rest of my world, why not visit www.geoffholt.com where you will find a vast collection of information.

Phil at the wheel of Liberty

You may have seen Major Phil Packer on the national news or in the papers recently. Phil was injured in Iraq last year and, following his rehab, has devoted much of his time to raising £1 million for the Help 4 Heroes charity by undertaking as many and as varied sporting challenges as he can.  When I heard of Phil, I contacted him and suggested he might like to come out for a blast in my powerboat. After a week of balmy warm weather with light breezes, yesterday it all changed and decided to blow a NW force 6.  Once in the lee of the land, we managed to open her up off Calshot Spit hitting 30 mph but coming back was a bumpy and rather wet affair.  So we went to the upper reaches of the Hamble where the sea state was much calmer. For more details on Phil and his magnificent efforts, visit www.philpacker.com  Fortunately, he's recovered some motor movement in his legs so he's planning to do the London marathon next month.  At 2 miles a day, it's going to take him a while.  Any potential sponsors, contact him through his website.

After 10 days at sea, my friend Sarah Outen www.sarahouten.co.uk effectively rowed a huge circle and is now back where she started from in Freemantle Australia.  Calling it her "warm up lap" and not in the least bit downhearted, Sarah is hoping to head off again soon on her attempt to row the Indian Ocean. A magnificent challenge if ever there was one.

Registrations on this website are going really well.  Since the launch last week, we already have more than 100 members so thank you all.  In the next few days we hope to have an automated notification system set up so you will get an email each time my Blog is updated. If you haven't already registered, then please do so. It's free and takes less than a minute.

Tim & me at Twickenham yesterday

England 34 - France 10

Spent a great day at Twickenham yesterday watching England beat France 34-10.  I won't gloat. It's not as though it was on the cards. It was Tim's first visit to Twickenham and first time watching England. He was pretty starstruck, and we had front-row seats.  He proudly wore his own team shirt, No. 10, for Fareham Heathens where he plays in the under 7's.  Talk about opposite ends of the rugby spectrum.

Saturday night, Elaine & I were entertained by the RNLI who kindly invited us to the magnificent Lifeboat College in Poole for dinner.  Paul Atterbury, the chap from the Antiques Roadshow was guest speaker and we were treated to a fascinating insight into the making of the programme. He also spoke about Poole Pottery which is right on their doorstep.

So, how are things progressing with the Atlantic campaign?  Pretty good I must say.  You'll know that the websites are now up and running.  A complement of 4 delivery crew are flying out to Malta on the 26th April to sail Impossible Dream back to the UK where she will undergo some work to make her ready for the sail later in the year.

As I write, I have my potential carer staying out my house at this very moment.  I have had a tremendous response to my search for my personal carer to accompany me on the voyage and it has not been an easy task to find the right person.  First and foremost, it was essential that the person was qualified in the care of someone with a Spinal Cord Injury.  I require some quite specific help in order to live each day so that was the main criteria.  Second, was that they have no experience in sailing / yachting. Well, after several interviews, I'm fairly certain that I have found what I'm looking for.  I'm afraid that I can not reveal their identity yet, there is still much to discuss and for both parties to satisfy themselves it is what we want, but I'm quietly optimistic - more details to follow soon.

The search for a primary sponsor continues but I remain optimistic, we are certainly generating a lot of interest around the world and there's a main feature due shortly on the Rotary International website.

I must quickly mention my friend Sarah Outen. You may recall that Sarah was one of my Personal Everest crew and has plans to row single-handed across the Indian Ocean.  Well, she left Perth on Friday for Mauritus and is already 70 miles into her 100+ day adventure. You really should visit her site www.sarahouten.co.uk and join her email list. She is one of life's happiest and joyous characters.

And on that note, Timothy has just come in with a cut and grazed knee.  First day in shorts for 6 months and this is the result.  At least no tears. Unlike the French yesterday. Allez les blancs...

Another year older!!!  Elaine, Tim and me at the local Chinese restaurant celebrating my 21st birthday last week.

Well, time is slipping away fast and we are now into March with less than 9 months to go to the start of my Atlantic bid.  I'm at the same stage I was with Personal Everest, if you've read the book, you'll know what I mean.  It's that calm before the storm. I must have a dozen or more balls in the air and I predict they are all going to come down all at once in the next few weeks.  We are still looking for a Title Sponsor so if you can think of anyone, let me know. The success of Personal Everest was all the more amazing considering the weather that year. And now I face another, equally challenging set of circumstances. But this time it's not the weather, it's the economic climate. Jeez, what a tough time to be finding money.

On the positive side, my 2 web sites are now live. www.geoffholt.com and www.personalatlantic.com, both the products of my good friend and clever IT whizz Richard who has endured my fanatical attention to detail to get the right end-product and he's worked some amazing technical wizardry on www.geoffholt.com. Please do register your details on www.personalatlantic.com so we can keep you updated with all of the latest news.

I have also had some meetings with OC Technology about fitting cameras to the boat to capture footage on the voyage itself.  OC Group is one of Dame Ellen's company's and in the next few weeks we've got some exciting news about supporting her charity, the Ellen Macarthur Trust. Please donate to this very worthy cause using the widget on the left.

In another exciting development, I have now shortlisted a couple of potential crew members.  They will both be coming to spend a few days with us at home so they can assess if they will be able to tolerate living with me on the boat for a month - Elaine will no doubt give them some useful tips.

Preparations are also now under way to bring Impossible Dream back from Malta in April.

The talks continue and I'm delighted to have been asked to be guest speaker with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston at Trinity House later this week at the launch of Clipper Venture's new events calendar. What an honour that is for me.

I must quickly tell you that I managed to go fishing at the weekend, the first opportunity in weeks. Friends and family know that I love my sea fishing and there's not much I like more than bobbing around in the Solent, rod in my hand, flask of chicken noodle soup in the other, just watching the world go by. And for the first time in months I caught one, only a Whiting, too small to keep so we put him back.What a great day.