Friday 29 February 2008

Charm III

Life has been busy recently. I have had the good fortune to have been commissioned by several different editors to write articles about a range of subjects over the last couple of weeks. This has been very interesting as I have been able to meet and chat with a diverse range of individuals. I think this is a perk of the writer’s job. What could be better than to be able to talk to talented people about what they do best and why they do it?

So I have met cake and pie makers, artists, gardeners, sailing enthusiasts and philanthropists, music makers and teachers and have tried to capture the essence of what drives them to do what they do.

Tomorrow I will be privileged to be a guest on board Charm III, a 1928, 50’ Alden Schooner, which has been rebuilt on Sandy Ground beach, here on Anguilla. This race winning Schooner is currently being used to raise funds for the Youth Sailing Club’s endeavour to send 6 young sailors from Anguilla to St Thomas, for the 2008 Scotiabank Caribbean International Optimist Regatta in June. This is a historic event for Anguilla as, despite Sailing being its National Sport, it will be the first time that sailors from Anguilla will be competing internationally. Charm III will be plying the waters around Anguilla’s northern shores on fundraising cruises which take in some of the delights of this Caribbean gem. I am covering the first cruise for a series of articles I am writing for The Anguillian newspaper, which are focusing on various aspects of the Anguilla Sailing Association and Anguilla Youth Sailing Club.

I am really looking forward to the day and to speaking with Richard West, the craft’s owner, and with the crew, who are all members of the Youth Sailing Club’s Race Team. I hope to get some wonderful photos to illustrate the article too.

If you are interested in sailing on Charm III, please call +264 235 8200 or +264 584 3826.