Birthday racers
It is 3.30am and the music is thumping, so loud I can barely hear myself speak. A single light bathes everything in a red glow and I’m unsteady as I walk across to get a drink. Am I in a nightclub? No, I’m on a catamaran owned by the Disabled Sailors Association and we’re motoring through a night-time Portsmouth Harbour, on our way to the start of the 90th anniversary Round the Island Race. The gun fires in around three hours’ time and it’ll be at least 20 hours before I get any sleep. Better make it a strong coffee. This is going to be quite a birthday party.
Keep an eye out
Nine hours later and we’re off St Catherine’s Point under low cloud and dark skies. The Needles are behind us and we’re rolling north east for Bembridge. “Keep an eye out,” calls skipper John Douglas as he takes a break from the wheel.
“If anything comes within five foot of us I’ll shout,” calls our blind crewman Mick Hughes, a former pilot who lost his sight in later life. Howls of laughter ring round the boat, followed by murmurs of appreciation as another round of coffees appears from the galley. Our early start from Portsmouth has seen
