Ed the Bear explores Newhaven

Hi all

Well I am back on shore today while the crew make last minute preparations. I took a walk up the hill from the marina to get a view of the sea. 

I look back towards the marina and I can just make out the Moondancer at mooring.

From the hill top I can see the mouth of the river and the mouth of the harbour. 

We will be leaving soon and will head out towards the sea and then sail around the western arm and head off west along the Channel.

This is a view to the west from the same hill.

Back on board there is lots of excitement and the preparations will soon be complete.

The first leg of our journey will take us westwards along the South Coast, past my beach at Shoreham and eventually on to Falmouth. From there we will head south towards Spain and Portugal. How we travel from there will depend on the sea conditions, wind and weather.

I will report back as soon as I am able.

Bye for now

Ed the Bear

Ed the Bear Embarks on the Moondancer

Hi all

Well the day is finally here and I have just arrived at Newhaven Harbour to embark on the 32 foot sailing yacht the Moondancer. I had previously met Ed Wade-Martins at the EYE Eco Summit but I have not meet any of the rest of the crew.

Ed greets me at the gate and we make our way along a series of gang planks and floating walk ways and eventually reach the Moondancer. She is a beautiful vessel.

Most of the vessels I have traveled on have been hi-tech vessels built for research and I have only been on board a day at a time. Including the R/V Fulmar, a research vessel you might have seen on the BBC TV programme Big Blue Live. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02v036z

This is me on the R/V Fulmar back in March 2010

This trip is going to be a very different experience, but I hope this will also be a chance to experience (and feel) the amazing power and beauty of the ocean.

Being a small bear the vessel looks really big to me and one of the crew help me on board. Things are very manic as you would expect with the final preparations underway. One of the crew have just returned with food for the journey and it is being checked and packed away.

Someone gives me a hot cup of tea and honey and I find a space to keep out of everybody's way. Across the water behind Moondance is a huge ferry which to me looks as big as one of the icebergs I saw in Antarctica.

There are many other vessels of different sizes moored up in the marina.

I leave Ed (the human) to help sort out solar panels which are to be fitted to the roof of the cabin.

Everyone is very busy but there is also a feeling of excitement in the air.

Bye for now

Ed the Bear