Personal Blog of Ellen MacArthur

Over the past two weeks I’ve spent a good deal of time at Bradwell Outdoor Centre at Bradwell-on-Sea on the UK’s East Coast, sailing with the Ellen MacArthur Trust. Each time we visit Bradwell, there are smiles on everyone’s faces, and a good time is had by all.

The centre really is amazing and the staff are awesome. We did everything from kite flying, sailing, canoeing to picnics on the beach and cycling.

We even camped for a night at the ‘packing shed’ which was fantastic! It is an amazing old wooden hut which sits on stilts above the water just off Mersea Island. It was restored in the 80’s and 90’s and has been used for all manner of activities ever since. There is no power to the packing shed, just a small generator which can be run when the evening turns to darkness…. the most fantastic and mythical place to spend a night! Waking in the night to hear water lapping around the wooden legs of the hut was very special. Once the generator had stopped and the lights went out, there were ghost stories being told in the young people’s quarters. It really was a place to let the imagination run wild!

There were a whole host of volunteers, returned nurses, and of course our EMT staff. I wish that so many others would have been able to peek into the fun that we had during those weeks!

Thanks once again for all the hard work from everyone at the Trust and at Bradwell for giving the chance to 60 young people to have an absolute ball!

ellen

Skandia Cowes Week ended on a real high with all the partners to our BT Team Ellen sailing team gathered on the balcony of the iShares Cup village hospitality tent at Shepards Wharf in Cowes to watch the traditional firework display. Only one of my dogs seemed unimpressed by them!

During the week, we managed to get over 200 people out on the water, either on the BT Open 60 boat or BT Extreme 40, or failing that, on an accompanying rib! Thanks to everyone who came along and to all our team who helped to organise this. The feedback has been truly fantastic – one gentleman (who should probably remain nameless!) even commented that, although his wife might not agree, it had definitely been the best day of his life!

After writing this blog, I will be heading for Bradwell Outdoor Activity Centre in Essex to join the Ellen MacArthur Trust’s Activity weeks, for some sailing and canoeing. One group of us will be heading to the beach to sail Picos, another will be sailing two Oyster dinghies round the estuary and the third will be going down the river and canal in canoes – it was so much fun last year, I can’t wait to get there!

It’s been a busy week so far during Skandia Cowes Week for us at OC, and it’s not yet over! We have been racing the Extreme 40’s for the past three mornings, out on a course which takes us out to the west towards Gurnard. These boats never cease to amaze me – or the 5th man, different guests whom we have on board for the morning races. The team onboard of Walshy (Andrew Walsh), Ed (Barney) and Oli (Dickens) are great, and not only do we get out there and race, but we also have a laugh at the same time.In the evenings, there have been all manner of events, the ‘Ellen MacArthur Trust Ball’ on Monday night being the most incredible for me - a huge, huge thanks to everyone who helped us raise £60,000 to take even more young people sailing! - from our arrival at Osborne House in a horse and carriage, to the amazing conversation we had on stage with Vicky Stokes. Vicky first came sailing with the Trust in 2007 and returned this year as a volunteer. She was the real star of the evening!Before dinner the Red Devils impressed us all by descending from the skies on to the lawns in front of Osborne House. At the dinner itself, we made the important announcement that next year we will be doing a Round Britain “Voyage of Discovery” for next year, supported by Skandia. I’m really excited about this event, the sailing will be fantastic, but the visits by the young people to the hospitals they were treated at on the way will be really amazing. You will be able to find out more information on the Trust website: www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org Anyway, must dash as I’m working away at home for just a few minutes before heading out again on the Extreme 40. Bring it on!ellen