Day 1: The crew boarded around 1pm, warmly welcomed by their watch leaders. After finding our bunks and being kitted up with wellies and extreme wet-weather gear we all gathered in the lower mess for the essential safety brief. First on the agenda was climbing the rigging, so it was action from the word go! This was a fantastic experience, climbing up the rat-lines onto the first platform. From here we could take in the view over the roof-tops of Poole and the awed passers-by enjoying their fish and chips. After a few members of the crew had ventured out onto the yards to release the gaskets we gathered back on deck for 'smoko’ (tea and cakes made by our wonderful chef Hammie). Not intending to stay in Poole for four days, we set about casting off from the harbour. Once into clear waters we set the sails, which involved a lot of heaving on ropes, grouped in our watches. We were treated to fair weather, so enjoyed spaghetti bolognaise on the deck, with great compliments to Hammie. A stunning sunset followed, and with the sails catching the light, this was quite a spectacle. With the Isle of Wight and Sandbanks now well out of sight, most of the crew were able to sample the comfort of their bunks. Those on watch however put on a few more layers and kept the Tenacious afloat until relief came with the next bleary-eyed watch at 12am.