On Friday 28 May Nellie and her six-women crew cast off from Hythe and sailed to Lymington to join nine other boats dedicated to complete a crossing to Cherbourg in order to raise money for “Help for Heroes”. The Solent already showed large white horses and streaks on its waves, but the forecast was worse: persistent rain and a southerly wind force 5 to 7 increasing to gale force 8. Our crew had not sailed together before, and most of us were not familiar with Nellie, a Hanse 411. We decided to weather the Saturday in Lymington, one crew member dropped out, and five of us left on Sunday morning 30 May at the crack of dawn to slip out of the Needles channel while tide permitted. Saturday’s near gale winds had whipped up the sea, so the going was pretty bouncy. The good news, however, was dry weather and a westerly albeit very cold wind. Nellie took it all in her stride, and with force 5/6 on the beam she bravely rode through the waves. After ten hours under sail and with most of the crew on their feet, we steered in force 6 touching 7 into the harbour of Cherbourg. Relief, excitement, and the vivid experiences of the eight yachts which made it to Cherbourg, that day, coloured our well deserved French meal in the evening. This was not leisure cruising, it was a minor or major challenge to each of us for various reasons. We were committed to raise money for Help 4 Heroes, and hope that you will join the sponsors, if you have not done so already. Donations can be made electronically through the web site www.ladieswholaunch.org.uk tag ‘Just Giving’ (and please mention Nellie), or on the individual sponsorship form of Alja Schmidt on the notice board in the hall of the Little Ship Club.

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