Here you can see how I am doing, how far I have to go, and how well things are going!
You'll hopefully, be able to see some pics of my journey so far, and maybe even be able to hear some dialogue, as I will be maintaining contact with my crew on dry land, via GPRS and good old SMS messaging, so they'll be able to update you! You can view any messages I have sent at the bottom of the page, after the progress map.
Here is a map, showing you the route I am taking. As I progress, my land crew will update the map, changing the arrows from red to green so you can see where I've reached.
21/07/2005 - 22:30
Hi All. Just to confirm that Keith will be coming into Gillingham Marina tomorrow morning between 10:30 and 11:00 am.
21/07/2005 - 16:35
Keith has just called us. He is now approaching the Thames Estuary, and should be on the Medway late this evening, with the prospect of reaching Gillingham Marina between 09:00 and 12:00 hrs tomorrow morning.
21/07/2005 - 08:00
Keith is now at Dungeness. All being well he should be back to Gillingham Marina tonight or tomorrow morning. I have updated the map and will keep you all informed as soon as I have any more co-ordinates.
20/07/2005 - 21:00
Keith is now well on his way. His new position at Shoreham, is shown on the map. He said he is currently travelling with good winds and maintaining around 6 knots.
20/07/2005 - 18:30
Keith is now past the Isle of Wight, and I have updated the map to show his new position. He has had a two day lay over in Gosport, due to force 8 winds, and he wasn't taking any chances! This also gave him time to replenish his rapidly depleting water and food reserves! Gosport Marina were good enough to allow Keith full use of their services at no cost due to the challenge raising money for charity, so many thanks Gosport Marina!!
Keith is doing very well, and is now on the final leg of his challenge, and we will keep you informed on a daily basis as to his location.
15/07/2005 -
Keith is doing really well, and has made fantastic progress!! I have updated the map showing his new location. He is flying along now and all going well, should be back to Gillingham marina in 5 - 7 days. As soon as we have any more information I will update the site.
There are now 4 vcd's of Keith's journey so far now available on vcd. All monies raised from the sale of these, priced at £2.50 each including P&P, go to the featured charities. For more information click here or follow the link on the home page.
13/07/2005 -
We had contact from Keith today. He has covered nearly 300 miles since setting sail again from Burtonport on Monday morning, and he is in really good spirits. I have updated the map showing his new location.
I have made a completely new page detailing Keith's rescue. You can view it by clicking here, RESCUE or by following the link on the homepage.
12/07/2005 -
Firstly, I would just like to say a VERY VERY BIG thank you to everybody at Burtonport,Co Donegal for all their help, support, hospitality and kindness that was given to Keith, and ourselves, whilst we put Nephele back together again.
You will all be pleased to know that following Keith's battle with a Force 10-11 storm, and subsequent rescue off of Tory Island last Sunday, (03/07/05), he set sail again yesterday morning (11/07) at 09:30hrs. We only flew back from Ireland this evening at 20:30hrs, having flown out to provide as much help as we could. I know that you have all been concerned over his welfare and progress, so I thought it only fair to put you in the picture again!
He is making good progress again, and I have updated the map to show his new position. I will add full details of Keith's incident to the site tomorrow, so thank you in advance for your patience!
03/07/2005 - 12:35pm
We received a message at today at 09:00hrs, informing us that sadly Keith was caught in a Force 10-11 gale, off of the Irish coast, about 9hrs from Tory Island. He was capsized in his boat Nephele, four times, and we believe he has sustained further injuries to his ribs, and that he is 'very cold'.
For more details click here, for BBC news, and here for BBC N. Ireland news.
As soon as we receive any further information, I will update the site.
02/07/2005 -
We had a message today via Malin Head Coastguard, giving us Keith's new position. the map has been updated to show this. He is making steady progress, and all is going well now.
01/07/2005 -
We have heard from Keith via the coastguard. His updated position is shown on the map. Slow progress, as still not much in the way of wind. Keith is still in good spirits (I bet he wishes it was a Single Highland Malt.)
29/06/2005 -
Update on Keith's current position is marked on the map above. He say's it's quite calm at the moment, (16:30) with not much wind, which is hindering his progress slightly, but he is still on his way. Keith is in good spirits and is confident about his remaining journey.
Keith would like to thank the Coastguard service for all their assistance and support, and for conveying messages to his wife, Kathy, keeping us updated where communication is difficult. He would also like to say a big thank you to Shaun, for helping him with the rigging on Nephele when he had to put in at Stromness.
It is Keith and Kathy's Anniversary today so, Happy Anniversary Keith and Kathy!!
28/06/2005 -
The parts arrived today from Raymarine, and Keith set sail again this afternoon at about 16:30. Keith has had his usual support from his team in Kent, but would like to thank everybody in the Orkney Islands and Stromness Marina for all their help in getting Keith on his way again. It is greatly appreciated!!
While he has been waiting at Stromness for the parts he needed, Keith has been interviewed by BBC Radio Orkney, the Islands newspaper Orcadian, and Orkney Today to name but a few!! He even managed to get a mention on LBC Radio last night. (Apologies to those of you I've left out; email your details and I'll add you to the list!!)
Hopefully all the problems are over and it will be plain sailing from now on!!
23/06/2005 -
Unfortunately Keith is not having much luck. Once again he has had to put in for repairs, this time he is in Stromness Marina in the Orkney Islands. He will be laid up for 3-4 days whilst he waits for parts. Again, his support team in Kent has organized for the parts he needs to be shipped up to him. We will keep everyone updated.
21/06/2005 -
We have had an update via the Shetland coastguard, and I have adjusted the map showing Keith's new position. The weather is still not as good as most of the country has been having, and he is now sailing against the wind! Lets hope it changes direction, and makes life a little easier for him.
20/06/2005 -
We received new co-ordinates from Keith this afternoon at 15:30. He is now on the West coast of the Shetland Islands, and battling yet another force 4-5 storm! I have updated the map showing his new position.He is still sporting four coats but doing well and making good progress.
19/06/2005-
Keith sent an SMS message this morning at 05:08 giving us his new co-ordinates, and that all is going well. I have updated the map to show his new position. Whilst we are basking in glorious weather, Keith tells us its a bit cold his end of the country!!
18/06/2005-
After weathering a force 5-6 storm for 2 days, Keith had to put into Peterhead Bay Marina for some repairs. During the storm, the auto pilot failed and one of the sails suffered a rip. Before his arrival in Peterhead, Keith's support team in Kent, organized with Raymarine in Portsmouth, for a replacement auto pilot to be sent to Peterhead by urgent courier. The Marina arranged for a sail maker to repair the sail and helped Keith get to hospital, as he had managed to break 2 ribs a couple of days ago in a fall. Keith has now set sail again, with everything in working order.
Everyone in Peterhead has been excellent and extremely helpful, from the Harbour Master, to fellow Sailors in the Marina. THANKYOU EVERYBODY FOR ALL YOUR HELP.
14/06/2005 -
Email received from Shetland.service@gtships.com at 08:54, updating us of Keith's current position, as marked above. Many thanks to those people who are relaying messages for us, and I'm sure we all wish Keith well on his next stage.
13/06/2005 -
We have had no contact from Keith for 4 days due to poor signal areas, but this morning he has managed to contact Stratos Mobile, who provide offshore communications for the North Sea oil and gas rigs, and they have been kind enough to send us an email, telling us Keith's location.(many thanks) I have updated the map showing his new position.
10/06/2005 -
We have had no contact from Keith because he is in a 'no signal' area, as he is now cutting across the wash. As soon as we have contact again we will update the page.
09/06/2005 -
Heard from Keith. Not much wind in the sails at the moment, but he is doing well, and making steady progress.
08/06/2005 -
Just to let you all know that Keith managed to set sail at high tide around 01:00 this morning, and all going well.
Keith has completed the first 2 legs of 69 stages ( shown on the map above now in green)
05/06/2005 -
Hi all. Just to let you know that my proposed launch date will be high tide around midnight on Tuesday the 7th of June. I will keep you updated should this change.
