Report from the fifth part of the voyage

Wexford - London

Gaia left Wexford Tuesday the 2.of August. First we had to rig the mast again, everything went smoothly and we set out in the Irish Sea for London. First we had to pass the south of England, and we sailed south with good winds. We had a crew change in Wexford and Espen the master chef came onboard and from now on we had 2- 3 warm meals a day. Thursday the 4 of August we moored at the guest harbour at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. The next morning we sailed to Southampton, we had a great sail with really good winds. We moored in a local marina that afternoon. Saturday the 6. of August we set course for Ramsgate. We moored there Sunday afternoon. Monday was spent repairing and leak proofing the ship, before we set sail for London the next day. London was the last official visit on our trip. We arrived at Woolwich early in the evening. In London we had more crew leaving us and new crew boarding. Friday the 12 of August we went up the Thames River setting our course for Tower Bridge. We had both crew and guests on board for the trip. Just before the bridge the NRK, The Norwegian Broadcasting Cooperation boarded to film our trip under the bridge. We rowed under the bridge and sailed back again later. Twice, the Tower Bridge opened for Gaia. It was one of the highlights of the voyage! During our stay in Woolwich we had an open boat for visitors. We were moored alongside an old fire boat and the public could view Gaia from that. Saturday the crew was invited for a party by the British Vikings. We broke out our Viking clothes and enjoyed the evening with our Viking friends. The British Vikings belonged to the Dark Age Society and arranged a Viking market that set off Gaias visit nicely. We have to thank Stephanie Butcher who arranged our visit.