Day 1

Our group of intrepid sailors arrived at Plymouth nice and early about half 2 in the afternoon. As the boat was still being prepared, the group decided to go and explore the nearest beach. Students enjoyed climbing the rocks and searching for the sea creatures that lived there. Crabs, crawfish, and starfish were some of the creatures we discovered, delighting the students with their sea-creatureyness! 

After that, it was on board the Pegasus to meet our crew, Mike and Fergal. Students were very patient and listened closely as the crew did introductions and the safety talk about being on board. 
It was then straight to work getting ready for dinner (a day of travelling is hungry work after all), with a hearty meal of sausage, mash, peas and broccoli, which was polished off. With full bellies it was time for bed and the end to our first day. 

Day 2

Our second day began nice and early after a night where Mr Lewis gained a concussion (not literally) and Miss Millward put her foot through the bottom of the boat (again, not literally)!
Students were greeted with a feast of cereal before teams were divided up and the boat work began. The Silver Streak scrubbed below, the Eye of the Sea washed up and The Penguins scrubbed the deck. All very necessary and tiring work. 
It was then onto deck, lifejackets on and we started to set sail. This wasn't a cruise and the students helped with tidying, flaking and putting the fenders away. Teamwork was needed to hoist the main sail to get us ready for the open water; the students learned to work together by tailing and sweating the sail up. It was hard work but the task was accomplished and it is as off out to sea! 

Sadly this was the time that everyone was finding their sea legs so there were some sea-sick children (and staff... Mr Maull) so lunch was eaten on deck where the fresh air would help. Fortunately everything stayed down, despite some monstrous noises from Mr Maull, and the students regained their energy. They took turns steering the boat, enjoying the scenery, falling asleep, and saw some dolphins (possibly a whale sighting!) Staff learned the aerodynamics of sails and had their lesson for the day.

DUM DUM DUUUM!! Dramatics ensued when Óisin went overboard and a man overboard drill happened where the students kept eyes on poor Óisin whilst the crew did an emergency turn to get Óisin safely back on board! Well done everyone!

After such a dramatic evening, we arrived in Fowey - yes, where Dawn French used to live - in the afternoon, ready for an evening meal of fajitas cooked by the students with the help of Mr Lewis. The students were encouraged to offer the components of the meal to each other, rather than taking for themselves, which built their team spirit. 
It was then time for hot chocolates followed by bed for the tired sailors! 

Day 3

Our day started in Fowey and looking out of the hatch proved to be a wet looking day. It was another feast for cereal to fill out bellies and then happy hour - the hour where all sailors are set to work before the day starts. 
Once all tasks were completed, we decided to explore the town of Fowey. Ferghal and Mike set us a picture challenge for the day and then we were off! 

Our exploring took us through the town centre and one to the outskirts where the students were working together to decide the direction and the what our next destination was - democracy for the win! 

The students used their money to buy ice cream- ticking off a challenge - sweets and toys at the local shops, arranging their own money (got to get the maths in somewhere)! Then, in the rain, it was a traditional lunch if fish and chips (or sausage and chips for some) to fill our bellies. We struggled to find a fountain so we improvised and the swiftly ticked off several of the other items, finding the goodest dog, a fountain, and Rose, our most Cornish person who was born and raised in Polruan, just opposite Fowey. 

We decided that there was no better view than the Pegasus so that's where we took our last picture. Sadly, we couldn't find any police but I guess it must be nice to live in a place where they aren't needed as much! 

After our morning in Fowey, it is as time to set sail! Waterproofs on. Weather looking grey. We took to the seas for a bumpy ride, with the students loving, screaming and laughing at the drops and lifts of the big waves. There was also some praying to Poseidon for bigger waves to keep coming. We then settled into a calm waves and the students watched the sea and shore go by, a little cold but not too damp after the rain. Staff took part in a photoshoot with arrangements suggested by the students. All can agree that we looked fabulous! 

Upon arriving off the coast of Par, we anchored down and settled in for dinner of Spag Bol before Mafia. 
Sadly, we lost a few students during this game (not literally) but the culprit was identified - Miss Millward! 
After this it was down for bed ready for our next day. 

Day 4

We woke up and had some breakfast after an exciting night sleep being anchored off the coast instead of a pontoon. Once we were dressed and ready we gathered our swimming things and made our way on deck to board a dingy! The dingy was awesome, it was a small grey powerboat that took 4 of us at a time to the nearest beach. 

Once everyone had landed on the beach we played football, swam, searched for buried treasure, sun bathed and then for our lunch we had a beach bbq! Hot dogs and halumi! It was amazing. 

Once we had finished lunch, we played some more on the beach, we even built a dam to trap the sea water. Then we returned to the boat in the dingy after getting properly soaked by some waves. 

For dinner we had a curry and Mr Maull made enough rice to feed am army (mostly Mr Lewis's fault). The curry was delicious nonetheless. After that was finished we decided that it was such a calm beautiful night we could night sail back to Plymouth. 

We lay on the deck of the ship star gazing. It was such a clear night you could see the milky way and so many stars. Some of us managed to stay awake all the way until we arrived and had to out the sails up at midnight using the deck lights. It was very exciting. 

We haf set sail from Polkeris and sailed at night to Plymouth- we again anchored over night however this time it was off the coast of Cawsand.  

We were all so tired after a busy day at the beach and an awesome evening night sailing!

Day 5

After a late night under the stars, our intrepid team were treated to a lie in to rest up after the excitement of the night before. 
After a late breakfast, we were told what our last day was going to entail by Ferghal and Mike before getting ready and heading up on deck and getting ready to leave. 

No sails were needed today as we were treated to a leisurely cruise via engine power. The students took turns steering the boat through narrow straights and up the river, using the opportunity to take in the sights and experience of being on the boat for the last day. It was a sterling effort and the students were praised for their efforts steering the boat.  
We were treated to jacket potatoes on deck whilst cruising along before anchoring down under the Tamar Bridge where the students were told about Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the feats he accomplished. Some card games below deck kept us occupied whilst we were anchored. 

After this short interlude, it was back to driving the boat back to Yacht Haven. It was a peaceful journey and a final opportunity to drive for anyone that hadn't yet done so. 
Sadly, our journey had to come to an end and our circle was complete as we approached Yacht Haven again. The students helped to put the fenders out and get the lines ready so we could moor safely on the pontoon. All the work done, one team started on a feast of noodles whilst the other team helped to tidy up deck. After this, it was shower time for everyone (staff included) as the open seas are smelly work. Fresh, clean and full, we were back on boat for our final night onboard the Pegasus getting ourselves rested for our journey home in the morning