A Pen Awayfrom Sailing Dream

Browsing through the Gibraltar Chronicle one day Richard Benady's father noticed an article offering the chance for his son to sail on Gypsy Moth 4 around part of Australia. The Gypsy Moth was Sir Francis Chichester's yacht in which he circumnavigated the globe single-handedly in 1967. The United Kingdom Sailing Academy(UKSA)and a group of like minded businessmen bought and restored the Gypsy Moth 4 to recreate this voyage with a mix of youth and experience.

They apparently paid £1 and a Gin & Tonic for the yacht but whatever the price after restora tion the ground was laid and young people throughout Britain and beyond tried to earn a place on board with the help of a fund set up in memorial of a man called Steven Thomas.

Steven was part of the original idea but tragically died in an acci dent in Antarctica in January 2005. So to earn a placeon this prestigious trip all they had to do was send in an application and tell the Steven Thomas Bursary fund why they wanted to be part ofthe voyage and how it benefited them.

Many an article such as this has been read and discarded by the ever more pessimistic youth of today but notso Richard Benady who listened to his father and given his personal love of sailing from a very young age, submitted his application to the UKSA.All the applications were looked at in the UK and interest ingly Richard felt that if he was successful the trip would not only benefit him but the younger chil dren he sometimes teaches to sail herein Gibraltar at the USSC sailing club in 4Corners. It certainly struck a chord with the judges as Richard was one of the three people short listed from Gibraltar and luckily for Richard he was ultimately selected for the trip.

His leg was to take him from Cairns to Darwin around the Eastem coastline of the Northem Terri tory of Australia.After some sailing course work here in Gibraltar and a small four day course on the Isle of Wight, Richard, armed with a flight ticket and some spending money courtesy of the Gibraltar Govern ment and his mother left Gibraltar.

Passing through Gatwick, Heathrow, Singa pore, Darwin and finally Cairns the 24 plus hours travel was well worth it as a couple of days later he was on board and sail ing the Pacific ocean in a world famous yacht.

Life on board was very

1 different from at home. There was no fridge for example a detail that kept the authenticity of the trip alive for all on board. Some food they took with them but they also caught their own fish and Richard recalls catching two huge Spanish mackerel one day.

The trip was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and his memories of it are as many as the stars he could see on those nights on watch shift.

"In Australia you can see millions of stars," he recalled "Ieven saw the Milky Way."

I wondered whathe had leamedfrom the trip.

"Well mostly teamwork and the ability to get along with a bunch of strangersin a confined space. There were six of ustwo girls and another guy around 18 years old. Then two older men who were the captain and sort of first mate if you like. 1 also became more environmentally aware because you have to bag your entire rubbish notjust discard it into the ocean.

"I remember visiting an island called Morris Island that had only one palm tree on it, totally unspoilt. Apparently British sailing ships during their voyages planted trees all over the place so thatif they were shipwrecked there would always be a means to make rope and fruit of some description to eat."

So if you ever wanted to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef instead of Little Bay,view giant turtles,sharks, giant clams and sea snakes; spend two and a half weekssailing aroxmd Australia in one of the most unspoilt parts of the world; see crocodiles, octopus and reputedly one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world then do as Richard did and go for it. At 16 could it get any better? I doubt it. All it took was a little time, thought and a pen and paper.

The enthusiasm was there to be heard and though he admitted he missed his family he also felt it was difficult to leave when his time came. 12,000 miles away from home and just the"best experience of my life. It has made me see things differently.I remem ber the Captain's words during one of the trips to an island, 'whenever we visit these places the only thing we should leave are our footprints and the only thing we should take are photographs,' nice that."

Saturday 28th October •4th November David Gilson - Cathedral Organist daily on the king of instruments "an orchestra of 2400 pipes" 12-1pm except Sunday as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Free.

Monday 30th October •3rd November

Daily face painting as part of art experi ence programme by well know local party organisers. 10.30-12, 2-3.30pm. Register to reserve a place on 76183 - part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

Wednesday 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd,29th

Talk on Foods and their Healing Power at John Mackintosh Hall - Lecture Room 7pm to 10.30pm. Entrance free.

Wednesday 1st

Organ and Piano Recital featuring Alessandro Orsaria - Bologna (organist)and Aaron Monteverde (pianist) as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity 8pm-9.30pm with interval. Free.

Name-a-Saint phone in broadcast live from the Chancel Steps with the Dean and Precentor 10-11am 6 4-5pm as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

Thursday 2nd Gibraltar National Choir in concert with the Danza Academy as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity 8pm-9.30pm with interval. Free.

Friday 3rd

Jazz Concert a first in the fabulous Cathe dral setting by the Gibraltar Jazz Society as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity 8pm-10pm with inter val. Free.

Saturday 4th Rock concert featuring live music in the Ca thedral-don't missafirsti Tickets£4(13-f) 8pm -10pm vflth interval at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity as part of Arts Credo.

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th

Religious art competition ages 4-12 entry forms from Early Learning Centre, ages 13-19 entry forms from Terry's Art Shop. Judging 4th, awards presentation 5th, as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

Monday 6th to Friday 10th

Watercoiour exhibition by Chritiane Fagan "Watercolour Painting of Gibraltar/Soldier Horses" at John Mackintosh Hall. For info Tel: 75669. Entrance free

Friday 10th 6Saturday 11th

Alegro Music Production — "Gibraltar Festival for Young Musicians" —at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre. Friday 4-8pm and Saturday 10am-8pm.The Gala Perfor mance is on Wednesday 22nd November from 7.30pm -10.30pm. Tel: 76150 for information.

What's On (>-Pcm l^c/

Saturday 11th

Armistice Day at House of Assembly 11am. Contact HQBF 53624 for info.

Sunday 12th

Remembrance Sunday - Cross of Sacrifice 12.00 noon. Contact HQBF Tel: 53624 for info.

GONHS-Outing - Upper Rock tree planting meet Jews'Gate. Led by John Cortes Sam. Tel: John Cortes Tel: 72639 or Bob Wheeler Tel: 78322 email: jcortes(§)gonhs.org

Monday 13th to Friday 17th

Watercolour Exhibition by James Foot at John Mackintosh Hall. Entrance free. Tel: 76669

Tuesday 14th

GONHS Monthly Meeting - The Natural History of the Alameda Gardens by John Cortes (General Secretary - GONHS 6 Di rector - Gibraltar Botanic Gardens)at John Mackintosh Hail - Charles Hunt Room.Tel: 72639/76818 Email jcortes@gonhs.org

The Gibraltar Philharmonic Society Violin Recital - Sergei Krylov violin Tatiana Postnikova (pianoforte)at The Convent.Tickets available from Solomon Levy - Convent