Use Of English Test 11 – Yachtswoman

Lisa Clayton’s dream was to become the first woman in history to sail single-handed, non-stop and unassisted around the world. On 17 September 1994, she set sail in Spirit of Birmingham on what could have been the final excursionjourneytraveltour of her life. Here are some of her notes on the journey.

Day 182. The loneliness got worse sincebyatfrom the day. When you haven’t crossedpassedjoineddiscovered a ship or land for four months, without evennot onlynot countinglet alone talked to anyone, it really gets you downbackoffout. The sense of isolation is frightening.

Day 217. I hadtookspentstayed a lot of my trip feeling frustrated and frightened, ifwhetherunlesseither it was because of the lightmildlowweak winds, a broken heater or the sharks. I remember thinking, ‘This is crazy!’ The sun was out, the sea was flashingflickeringglowingsparkling and here I was infull ofdown withon tears! Then I saw the most wonderful sceneryoutlookviewsight - a 12m whale which swam alongsideaheadclosebesides the boat for hours.

Day 286. Two days before I crossed the endingfinishinglastfinal line a helicopter came out scanning the seas for me. That’s when I finally thought, ‘I’m going to do it.’ About 50 boats escorted me into the harbor where thousands of people were waiting, shoutingscreamingcheeringcrying me on. And, as I docked, fireworks and cannons set offwent offlet outbroke out. It was just mad!