I was really excited when I was asked about going on a sailing ship, as I’ve only ever been on a ferry before. I thought it was something different but it wasn’t the fact that it was different I just wanted to do it because it sounded fun.

Meeting our Skipper Isaac, who looked like a pirate, and Ben our first mate who looked really posh in Dunbar Harbour, we put our life jackets on and put our bags on the rib. Making our way to Excelsior felt odd as I’m not use to standing on a moving surface. I imagined a tiny ship but in reality after I got inside she felt bigger.

After we started our journey seven of our group had started to display signs of sea sickness, there was only three who hadn’t. I was one of them and I felt really bad for feeling ok. My first watch was from midnight for four hours, I was dressed for the weather with my fleece on so felt cosy and warm.

The food has been amazing, we had the most amazing baked potatoes. I hold the record for the most eaten, which is eleven! I learnt lots of different knots, including practising a bowline, I’ve even been practicing it with my eyes closed and tying it behind my back. There has been times when I’ve been really tired and sometimes when I’ve been skipping around, it’s really strange going from one extreme to the other and such a short time. I’ve enjoyed cooking in the galley including fresh bread and soup, that’s something I wan to do as a career.

The time away has allowed me to have some head space from the usual stuff at home and I’ve obviously enjoyed being away from school.