My Last Channel Crossing

A few days ago I set out to cross the English channel from St Malo to Portsmouth. Yes, you’ve guessed—it was the Brittany Ferry. It was an odd experience. For a start I was not in charge. It was bad enough not being involved in the decision making, but when we were informed that the decks were dangerous and therefore “out of bounds” because of the bad weather conditions, then I was not even able to see what decisions were being made and that was really bad! So I was cooped up below in my cabin as the boat bumped and lurched and shuddered as it hit each wave. But was it waves?
I don’t know—I was not allowed to see. I felt strangely redundant. I wanted to be where the action was. I wanted to feel the wind and the spray on my face (however cold!!). I wanted to be part of the trip. But in truth I was just a piece of baggage; an item that the crew were paid to get from one side to the other. Not even the great food in the restaurant could console me.
And at that moment I found a new excitement in sailing Morning Star or Dayspring. Even when I am not in charge I am involved. Whether we get to our destination or not depends in part on me, not only in my experience at sailing but also my ability to join in with the others and be the team that helps to get us all to our destination.
And that great feeling you too can have. Get yourself booked onto a trip!