Its all go go go.

37 Days 13 Hours 26 Minutes 10 Seconds to go.......

The time is flying and with every day that passes my excitement / nerves increase having a wee knock on effect on my Crohn's at the moment, god help me on the day :)

Everything seems to be going to plan though, sponsors are coming forward with amazing offers and Liverpool Marina are now 'onboard' as the sponsor for the journey. Currently the sponsors' logos are being incorporated into designs on the hull of Zuma, which is very exciting.

Zuma is due to be lifted out on the 8th April to be scraped down, and anti fouled and all the art work placed on the hull, then when she's back in the water, an engine service and fit the lazy jacks and then she's nearly ready to go...

Its all becoming very very real now and I simply can't wait to go.

62 Days 16 Hours 54 Minutes 16 Seconds To Go ...

The Web Site is now up and running, with a massive thanks to Christos from Shroom Studio who's dedicated his time and effort to compiling the Web Site.

http://www.paulhardakersailing.co.uk/


Just over two months to go before commencement of the round Britain Sail and the nerves are setting in already.

Unfortunately the Liverpool Boat Show has been cancelled, which will have a detrimental effect on the target to be raised for the charity, as I was hoping to use the boat show as a way of gaining maximum publicity for the charity and subsequent raising of money.

Besides the bad news about the boat show everything else has been going great, I've now purchased some essential items such as a chart plotter RC400, fridge and sailing boots. I have have received some very nice gifts, firstly all the west coast and half of the south coast charts along with new anchor chain, donated by Kenny and Linda from Liverpool Marina. Also Rob has kindly provided Bosuns chair, generator, pare fenders, battery charger, new ocean going coat and waterproof trousers, 100m of quality rope, spare charts, battery charger, spare shackles and bits and bobs. Thank you very much.

Also on the sponsor side of the trip, GJW, a boat insurance company from Liverpool, have reduced my insurance premium as a way of donating. Pets Pantry of Old Swan have kindly agreed to supply all the food and essentials for Finlay on the trip and donate to the charity, in return for advertising space on the sides of Zuma.

So all in all things are looking pretty good, apart from the boat show being cancelled. Currently I am in the process of trying to find some larger sponsors for the trip, but this is proving hard with the current economic climate being the way it is, but I am still hopeful.

Thank you so much to the people who have already donated to the charity, its breath taking to see the generosity of people.

Dolphins

Four months and counting !!!

Well, its not long to go now, I am currently getting routes, marinas, sponsors, loans of equipment and various other tasks completed, theres a lot more to do than I thought and it's almost turning into a full time job !!!.

Christos has jumped onboard (not literally) from Shroom Studio and is currently designing a web site which is fantastic news and a great help to raise awareness for the Crohn's and Colitis Charity.

I am currently phoning around manufacturers asking if they can lend me some equipment that I am short of, in return for advertising space on Zuma.

My wish list includes :-

Fuel, clothing, Autohelm, Charts, Wind turbine, Epirb, and if I am really lucky a radar system and plotter.

These will only be required for the trip and will be returned when I get back at the end of July 2011.

Everything else is going to plan and I'm just ticking the days off the calendar.

My route has now been provisionally plotted, but may change due to weather and winds.

Practise sail

Back on dry land ...

After the short sail to Conway, I am now counting down the days to May 2011.

The Conway sail was a great trip, even though at the time I was wondering what was I playing at, but I needed to put myself in some tricky situations to know how Zuma, Finley and myself  coped and I'm pleased to say it felt good, Zuma handled well and Finley hasn't shut up since he's been back.

Ive decided to do the 'around Britain sail' for charity now, so I am not the only one to get something out of the trip, the address is http://www.justgiving.com/paul-hardaker.

Any donation would be appreciated. The trip doesn't commence until
early May 2011.

Thankyou.

Waiting !!

I never realised that the weather could be so variable at this time of year.

Zuma's all ready now, I am just waiting for a break in the weather then I am off.

Will keep you informed as soon I am off.