Sunday 27 April 2014

Celtic Challenge 2014 - Final Preparations

With just a week to go until the Celtic Challenge, final preparations and training were the order of the day.  On Saturday, Macsen and Elen were taken and launched from a point between Beaumaris and Penmon.  The waters were initially choppy under an onshore wind making the going difficult.  Once beyond Bangor Pier and into the more confined waters of the Menai Straits, the going became more pleasant and a short stop was made for refreshments at The Gazelle.  Thereafter it was a breeze home to Plas Menai save for the brief strong winds by Plas Newydd.

Holly, Pete, Trevor, Angie & Helen aboard Macsen en route for Britannia Bridge
  
Sea sickness is likely to be the team's greatest foe during the crossing of the Irish Sea so all are going armed with Kwells, Stugeron and the like as prophylaxis.  For those who do succumb, £50 buys you glasses that cure by providing a false horizon and thus steady the cochlea in the ears:

Gael Force Boarding Ring Anti-Motion Sickness Glasses - £49.99

  We've been experimenting and come up with cheaper versions of our own:

 Mk 1 homemade specs filled with (I kid you not) soap colouring and vodka!!
£0 - watch out Porthmadoc!  Hic!!


 5 minutes later we have.....Mk 2 - this is a fast 
moving technology!!

The progress of all longboats during the celtic Challenge can be followed using satellite tracking at the link below:
  



No comments:

Post a Comment