In a bit England.

So, here I am on the eve of the voyage. I am a complex combination of nerves and excitement. Everything is in order; I have all the necessary gear. In fact, I think that I have too much equipment for my level of experience - turning up in a brand new sailing jacket, brandishing my Leatherman, with my head torch set to 'blink' might be a bit much. The phrase 'all the gear, no idea' springs to mind. I'm just glad that I managed to talk my Dad out of buying me a spork - I would have looked like a right prick sat there eating with a plastic spoon-fork hybrid whilst the others ate with cutlery.

I hope that I enjoy my travels half as much as I have enjoyed talking about them. No one has been spared a casual reference to the trip. I even told the attractive shop assistant in the sailing shop just because she asked me what type of sailing it was that I would be doing. She was momentarily impressed, that is until my mum unleashed a barrage of questions about the different levels of waterproofing. There is a lesson to be learned here; don't go shopping for cool shit with your mum, it doesn't work. I have to admit though, I have taken great pleasure in peoples' reactions, the only problem is that I have spent so long talking about the bloody thing, I now have to go and do it!

All the other lads are out there already. James and Jack have been there for a week so I am just hoping that there is still a boat to board when I arrive. I'm almost positive that Jack won't have got himself arrested in the space of a week, although you can never be sure with him. Blair, Sam and Chris flew out over the weekend, so that just leaves me. I am actually quite looking forward to the flight; I'm flying BA so I'm expecting good things. Although, no matter who you fly with these days, you are guaranteed at least one child aged six months or less within earshot. There is nothing quite like the screech of a child whose ears have not equalised to help you relax into your eleven hour flight. But, then again, why shouldn't a child who is too young to form memories see a bit of the world? I also cannot wait for the possible humiliation of the full body scan at Heathrow; a room full of strangers analysing your naked profile is bound to ease you into your flight. As if that was not enough, once I have sat in what can only be described as the stress position,with my knees in constant contact with the chair in front, I then have the pleasure of being interrogated by US immigration. So, actually, on reflection, I am not looking forward to my flight. On paper, it bares striking resemblance to torture. I am more of a Business Class kind of guy. I am hoping that this is obvious to the person checking me in so that they can give me the upgrade I deserve.

Well, the next time you guys hear from me, I will be in the City of Angels. Until then, pray for me.

Hello.

In two weeks time I, as a broke History graduate, fresh from university and with minimal sailing experience will be setting off to meet five mates to crew the Black Wind, a 55 foot sailing yacht, 3000 miles from the West Coast of America, through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic Ocean to the UK. 

This trip will be a true adventure as we leave behind convention and the well trodden path, in order to do something inspirational. To succeed, the crew will need quick learning, resourcefulness, bravery and a strong instinct for survival!  The trip will remove us all from our comfort zones and throw us together into an unforgiving situation that we must all deal with in order to survive.  

Hopefully, our story will inspire and motivate you guys to capture the essence of real adventure, as you follow us through hard times, providing a first-hand account of what such a trip entails. I will describe the practicalities of undertaking such a voyage, and will create an account of the trip, including the details of life on board.  Also, by witnessing some the most breathtakingly beautiful parts of the world I will be able to share the experiences with you lovely lot in an on-line travelogue.

The trip starts on 1st December when I fly to Los Angeles to join the boys to embark the Black Wind.  We sail south to Panama stopping off in Mexico, Guatamala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica via the Panama Canal, a truly incredible experience in itself.  From there we will set course for St Thomas, via Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The trip is estimated to take five months in total, and would be a remarkable trip for any sailor to attempt, but it is especially daunting in my case as I had never stepped foot on a yacht before June! 

The trip is going to be like no other; the boat is a work in progress (for example, when we reach Mexico, we are dry-docking in order to paint it ourselves) and the ‘motley crew' come from different backgrounds and with varying degrees of sailing experience.

A little bit about the Crew:

James - He is the owner of the boat and will thus be our skipper for the voyage. He has had a colourful past and has the tattoos to prove it. He is a top bloke and is the mastermind behind the whole trip.

Jack - Probably the craziest person I have ever met. He is the ex-infantryman whose thirst for adrenaline the army failed to satisfy. He intends to join the French Foreign Legion when we get home - a desire which pretty much sums him up. He is the character that will make the trip most interesting - I fully envisage us having to leave ports early as Jack comes sprinting down the dockside being chased by angry villagers. Oh, and he is a Geordie. Enough said.

Blair - As bent as a 15 bob note but we love him. He promises to install a sense of calm in the wake of Jack's destruction. At 25 years of age, the flamboyant Kiwi has a real passion for sailing and has his heart set on making the ocean his office space some day.

Chris - The cheeky cockney chappy. Matching Blair in years, Chris is along for the ride - just desperate to do anything to get him out of Sutton. He is a top lad but is the 'ditsy' one of the crew - his inquisitive nature often results in some hilarious musings and his lack of observational awareness has seen him talk about people who are sat right next to him. Watch this space for a good laugh!

Sam - I haven't actually met Sam yet, but from what I hear he is worthy member of the 'motley crew.' As one of the two with adequate sailing experience, I am sure that he will save our lives on more than one occasion. I just hope that he has the patience of a saint!

Me (Kris) - I am the dreamer of the crew. Currently in the middle of my post-uni 'gap year',  I view this trip as a chance to quench my adventurous thirst. I also find myself daydreaming about becoming a commercial sailor/travel writer - living the life of old riley amongst the waves, lavished with beautiful girls and monies. The reality of the situation is that I will get home from this trip by the skin of my teeth and will be an unemployable mess. As the posh boy of the crew, I intend to be Jack's translator - I don't think America is ready for him uncensored.

The Vessel - The Black Wind has the appearance of a pirate pimp palace. Having been impounded three times for drug trafficking and also served as an offshore location for lesbian weddings (rumoured to have housed up to 44 lesbians at one stage), she is a tough old gal. Decked throughout with leopard print carpet, flame riddled toilet seats and a banging sound system, she promises to get all the ladies. I look forward to living inside her for five months!

So, there you have it. Follow us on here or on http://twitter.com/#!/BlackWind2010.

B' bye.