In two days time we should hopefully be on our way to Lanzarote to join Impossible Dream, just the small job of packing to get out of the way first, a few IT issues to resolve and some paperwork to clear up and then we're off.  Most of the heavy items were stowed on ID before she left, including the essential Christmas decorations, so it should (should..!!!), just be a matter of packing some warm-weather clothes, some suntan lotion and my copy of "Sailing the Atlantic for Dummies" - a great book, lots of pictures, it comes with a free compass and everything.

Dawn, Elaine, Susana, Alan, me, Tim

A huge thank you to everyone who braved the attrocious weather last night to come to our farewell bash at the King & Queen in Hamble.  I lost count at 50 people, but it was great to see so many friends and family there, I'm only sorry I didn't get a chance to speak to you all.  I won't mention everyone, but I would just say a big thanks to Dawn & Alan who drove down from Wales - if you've read the book, you'll know that I first met Alan & Dawn on my sail around GB a couple of years ago.  For those who don't know of the K&Q, it's a pub in Hamble - I've been going there since 1982 (I was not 18 until 1984 - you do the maths). It's been the location for just about every start / finish of every major yachting event in the UK, so it was a fitting, if not exactly the biggest of venues. Thanks too for all of the kind and generous emails, texts and "good-luck" cards from people who couldn't make it, they mean a lot so many thanks.

Our farewell card from everyone 

I'd like to quickly thank the Royal Yachting Association.  On Thursday this week, I was awarded the RYA's Francis Elkin Award at their annual awards ceremony in London. The award "recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution, in time, effort and personal endeavour in enabling people with disabilities to become involved in sailing".  It was a real honour to receive the award and very humbling too.  Francis Elkin was an ex-Chairman of the RYA and he was also a Trustee of RYA Sailability during my time as Chairman, sadly he died a few years ago and the award was created in his memory.  For a video of the ceremony, CLICK HERE.

The RYA Awards were presented at No.1, Great George Street in London which is the HQ of the Royal Institute of Chartered Engineers.  It should have come as no surprise then that the HQ of Engineering should have designed what I believe to be the most amazing wheelchair lift I have ever seen - and I've seen a lot of them in the past 25 years.  Take a look at this video. I'm afraid you will have to turn your head 90 degrees (blame Elaine) but do watch it to the end to see what happens to the steps.  CLICK HERE

I'll sign off now. Next Blog from Lanzarote this coming week and they will be increasing in frequency too, hopefully two or three a week as the departure day draws closer.