A Newport care home resident has relived her passion for sailing thanks to a heartwarming trip organised by the activities team at Vecta House Care Home.
Moira, who developed a love for sailing in 2000 while living in West Cowes, was recently taken out on the Solent in a powerboat with Wetwheels Solent – fulfilling her long-held wish to get back on the water.
Her sailing journey began after a holiday in Nydri, Greece, where she earned her RYA qualification. Back on the Isle of Wight, she volunteered with the Classic Boat Museum and regularly sailed a gaff-rigged dinghy named Black Bess along the River Medina.
Together with her husband, she later bought a 6-metre cruising yacht, Rochelle, and spent many happy years sailing to Osborne Bay, Portsmouth, Itchenor, and up the Beaulieu and Hamble rivers.
After sharing her desire to return to the sea with the care home’s activities team, staff quickly arranged a special outing with Wetwheels Solent, departing from Yarmouth.
The trip was a joyful success, with Moira shouting “Go, go, faster, faster, I’m loving it!” as the boat cruised across the waves.
The experience included spectacular views of the Needles, and although the sea spray provided a few splashes, the sunshine made for ideal sailing conditions.
