Frans big adventure... the end
by Sophie Mackley 26 Jul 2010 22:08 BST
15 May - 25 July 2010
After 72 days, Frances Gifford, sailing her Wayfarer 'Viper' with various crew has completed her sail around Britain.
Having started on Saturday 15 May, Frances returned to Waldringfield
sailing club on Sunday 25 July. Crewed by 22 different people
representing a range of different racing classes; National 12, Lark, RS200,
B14, K6, Merlin Rocket, Lark, Firefly, Laser 4000, Wayfarer, Dragon’s,
Fran has finished a month ahead of schedule.
Fran’s adventure started on a sunny day back in May and since then she
has sailed through fog, rain, hail, sun and storms. She has had to
contend with being stormbound in Cornwall, Wales and Scotland,
replacement rigging in Rye, a stolen outboard in Wales a broken
centreboard and water-logged boat in Scotland, locks, lochs and high
harbour walls – to read the full account see her daily blog www.fransbigadventure.com
Fran says; ‘I have sailed with 18 great friends, one brother, one
sister-in-law, and two nephews. All of whom I hope enjoyed their leg.
I have been offered hospitality by more friends, family, family of
friends and other previously unknown members of the sailing and
harbour-world fraternity than I could have possibly imagined.’
So far Fran has raised over £4,000 for her chosen charities –
the RNLI and Shining Life, donations can still be made online.