Britain was a
shambles at the time of the Vikings, but quickly and uniquely built a
financial, technical, and political infrastructure that kept our sailors
healthy and our ships at sea for long periods. With Napoleon defeated and the
Industrial Revolution in full swing, the role of the Royal Navy was changing
rapidly when ‘Beagle’ was launched at Woolwich in 1820. The focus had
moved from making war to suppressing piracy, discouraging the slave trade, and
charting the oceans.
Many a cruising
yachtsman begins the sailing life in their tender years, racing dinghies or on
the family boat. It’s not always the easiest of pastimes to start from scratch
in adult life, but that is just what Anne Noon did. In just a few years, she
has gone from novice to navigator and from classroom to the South
China Sea. In this talk she will share the highs and lows of the
voyage and her experience of cruising around the world from the glittering
waters of the Swedish Archipelago to the beautiful Falmouth Estuary and further
afield in the Philippines
and the South China Sea.
In 2005, Juliet and
her husband embarked on an Atlantic circuit with their children (then aged 6
and 8). They gave up their careers, sold their house and many of their possessions,
and said goodbye to family and friends. Juliet’s talk is an overview of their
year away; the joys and challenges of sailing, life as a family in a confined
space, the ARC, home education, unexpectedly good fishing, and photographs of
some ‘on’ and ‘off’ the beaten track places, including Antigua, Grenada, the
still erupting Montserrat, and the incredible Tobago Cays.
23rd October 2009 is a day that the Chandlers and their family will never forget. While sailing in the idyllic Seychelles archipelago, their yacht Lynn Rival was attacked and seized by Somali pirates. Six hellish days later they were forced to abandon ship near the Somali coast and were taken inland for a further 382 days of captivity. During this time the gangsters sought to extort money from their family, friends and anyone else who took an interest.
CA London BBQ and social evening. Bar opens 6pm. Food from 7.30pm. Tickets £10. Guests welcome. Please book with thenCA Office so we can make sure there is enough food.
