The Bristol Pilot Cutters week (which is actually a fortnight and involves other pilot cutters, but let’s not split hairs!) run by the Setsail Trust in Guernsey has been a much loved feature of our schedule since we first started sailing there in 2010. We were joined this year by Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter replicas Polly Agatha and Merlin.

This year we were joined by a brand new first mate, Tori, for the long sail across the channel and the 19 school trips before returning to Buckler’s Hard.

As well as having the sailors of tomorrow on board for two hour sails around the Little Rousel, we also had regular evening sponsor trips. This included welcoming His Excellency Richard Cripwell, Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, on board for a beautiful evening sail.

The real VIPs are, of course, the children, who have so much fun with the boats chasing each other down, shouting excitedly to their friends on the other boats and the occasional water fight – it’s great to share our love of these boats with the next generation.

Amelie Rose has done ten of these trips in total since 2010 so that’s over 2000 people that have been sailing through this scheme, which is the largest youth sailing event in Britain.

Nicola will remain involved with this event, so we look forward to returning in 2024 to co-ordinate the boats, perhaps the new owner of Amelie Rose, whoever they may be, will be there too!