Wednesday 5 October 2011

Homeward Bound!

I deduce you will have guessed by now that I'm dragging my feet writing these final words. I'm trying to make the experience last for as long as I can. However all good things come to an end so they say. Apart from that I am being pressured by some loyal fans to 'get on with it'.

I spent a day in Rothesay tidying Ruach up. It is surprising what you gather on a boat during a three month cruise. But as this voyage draws to an end it's time to clear out. Harbour guides from here and there, tourist maps, the odd magazine with that 'must read' article I saved for later. You know the type of stuff. I also put another coat of varnish on the for'ard half of the starboard gunwale. The finish looked really nice....
 .....well it did until the heavy short sharp shower pitted it's surface and gave it an unsightly bloom. Ho hum! More work to do.

While on Bute I showered in the splendidly restored Victorian toilets (well, not actually showered in the toilets of course!). This is a bizarre tourist attraction, can you imagine 'Roll up roll up', 'Come see our toilets now!', 'only 20p admission', 'All the fun of the fair'. Both gents and ladies are welcomed on the tour!
While I was showering the attendant came and locked the door to the showers for me to maintain my modesty as there a were bunch of people taking the tour while I showered. Take a look here to see some more views

The paddle steamer Waverley came into Rothesay on it's way through the Kyles to Kames before returning back to the Clyde via Rothesay again.
Well, you know what I've been like for getting aboard other boats during this trip, today was no different. I was given a tour of the engine room of the Waverley and spent a little time at the helm. This boat is such a graceful old lady. What a fantastic opportunity.
Waverley's Engine Room

Steady as she goes!

At this point I'd like to mention the fantastic result we have with the charity giving. To date, including donations, gift aid and matched giving we have raised over £3000 for the Alzheimer's charities.
Following discussion with Alan Midwinter of Alzheimer Scotland it has been decided to channel the Scottish portion of the funds to a project in West Lothian that helps a group of people with 'Early Onset Alzheimers'. This does not necessarily mean people who have been recently diagnosed with dementia, but is a group who have been diagnosed with dementia at an early age. It is very moving to hear of the vibrant people whose lives had been so badly affected by this disease; it is also a surprise to hear that there is no funding for such groups other than charitable donations. Your donations really are making a difference.
Hopefully you will not think I've nagged you too much over these months for a donation. But if you are considering making a donation, stop considering! Click one of the links right now.
www.justgiving.com/David-Hippey for the Alzheimer's Society
In addition you can now give direct from your mobile: just txt to 70070,  SAIL51 20 to donate £20 to Alzheimer Scotland. Insert the amount you want to donate in place of the 20. These txts are FREE and all of your donation goes to the charity.

The following day, Saturday 27th August, was the day I had announced to the world that I would be returning to my berth in Largs marina. So at 10.30am I raised sail on Ruach for the last time on this voyage.
The winds were very light and there was rain in the air. I ghosted across the relatively short distance between Rothesay and Largs to arrive bang on time at 13:00.

Homeward bound - The final trip


The wanderer returns. Ruach arrives back at Largs marina

A great 'Welcome home!' From Penny

Some more of the reception party.

This video of my return was posted on YouTube by my friend Pat. 

Well, that's about the end of my little journey. I hope you have enjoyed following the progress of Ruach around the coast of Scotland.
There may well yet be another couple of posts to this blog, as people have asked about the technology used to put this all together, plus I may have some confessions or 'out-takes' to post; then finally as I'm currently anchored to my desk back in my day job there is the 'what next' to contemplate. All I can say is 'Watch this space' 


If you are having trouble donating at the justgiving sites (behind company firewalls, don't trust the internet with my card details or just don't want to give that way, etc) you can mail me a cheque direct. To do this just send me an email and I'll send you the details. Alternatively you can donate by txt'ing SAIL51 £20 to 70070 (replace the £20 with the amount you want to donate). TXTs are free and all your donation goes to the charity.

Don't forget to drop me a note at onpassage@dhippey.co.uk to sign up to be informed when blog updates appear.

Please share this site with your friends and family
( Especially the rich ones :-)  )

If you came to this blog from the main website www.eventoftheyear.co.uk you will hopefully have had a look around the site and be aware of what I'm up to, both the adventure itself and the fact that I'm aiming to raise awareness of dementia in our society and to raise money for the Alzheimer's charities.
I'm doing this trip for fun and funding the trip myself, but while I'm on this venture you can do your bit to by supporting the Alzheimer's charities through either www.justgiving.com/david-hippey or www.justgiving.com/david-hippey-scotland

Catch you next time.

Regards,
David H.