Natsha Lambert

Disabled sailor and adventurer

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Archives for November 2020

Settling in, Sparkles & Stars.

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An update from Blown Away – Wed 25 Nov 2020 08:41.

A dolphin spotted by the Blown Away crew.

All going well And settling into routines. Loving the night sky and phosphorescence! We saw our 1st pod of dolphins at dawn on Monday, another at dusk last night, (Tuesday 24th.)

We’ve enjoyed talking to other ARC boats on the radio. Spotted the empty fishing boat yesterday that lots of people had mentioned on the radio about 200m to our port. Lots of cheesy jokes, a favourite meal so far – stir fry chicken, and apple crumble with custard.

The wind has been variable and we’ve tried different sail configurations. Spinnaker and twin-poled jibs. Highest wind encountered so far was 25 knots and top boat speed so far 12 knots. Expecting wind to stay quite fresh for the next few days.


Natasha has been helming from both sitting and standing and loving it all!!!

Day one – Start day…

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Well that was some day!


Nerves and much excitement, setting off with all the boats on the start line, looking out for friends on their boats waving to the crowds that had gathered to see us off.

Photo credit – WCC/James Mitchell.

Very very light winds and A slow start for us but wind picked up just after it got dark and we were able to put up our downwind sail.

The adventure begins…

Rachel Lambert.

(Blog taken from our ‘Teleport-Blog.’)

Preparations in Las Palmas.

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Arriving here in Las Palmas just over two weeks ago, it’s been amazingly busy getting prepared! Fitting extra solar panels, cleaning, servicing, safety checks, rigging checks, provisioning and sourcing a new computer for Natasha that got damaged as we went though security at the airport on our way out here.

Fitting new solar pannels on Blown Away.

One of our last jobs, Dad dived to clean the hulls underwater and whilst there did an inspection and found our starboard prop had play in it which meant having part of the prop renewed!


One of the nicest part of taking part in The ARC is all the lovely people we have met. Everyone has interesting stories to tell, people that have been planning this adventure for 20/30 years to people who just decided a few months ago!

Our only disappointment is that we couldn’t see more of the Island, we hired an adapted vehicle but unfortunately it was supplied with no wheelchair restraints and a lift that didn’t work and despite attempts to get resolved unfortunately we were unable to. Which was a shame.

Our crew arrived a few days ago, Mike, Sue, Neil and Angela and they have been busy helping with all the prep…

The crew!

And now the night before our departure, after A great firework display we are all excited to start our adventure together!


Wishing all our new friends and crews a fantastic sail and look forward to hearing everyone’s stories in St. Lucia!!

Rachel Lambert.

(Blog taken from our ‘Teleport-Blog.’)

The Atlantic – Phase one by Rachel Lambert.

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Our journey to Las Palmas and the start of the 2020 ARC began on the 1st of August 2020 when we left Cowes and headed over to Cherbourg. After 2 years of work converting and learning to sail the boat (Blown Away) it was great to finally be off!

The first week day sailing along the French coast with some lovely weather stopping at Granville, St Quay, Roscoff, L’Aberwach and Breast.
Our next passage was our longest to date, a seven day 1008 miles down to Gibraltar, as one of our crew had to return to U.K. and if we stopped in portugal or Spain this would involve quarantine due to current covid situation.

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The Needles.


All sorts of weather during the passage from dodging thunderstorms in the Bay of Biscay, 30 knot winds off Acoruna fog and no wind off Lisbon, hundreds of dolphin and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Transiting the straights of Gibraltar in the dark with strong winds and currents off Tarifa huge amounts of shipping and fantastic sight of the Atlas Mountains and the rock of Gibraltar as the sun rose!

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Dolphins!



The next week spent resting sightseeing re-provisioning and waiting for another crew member to fly out and join us before starting our next passage down to Las Palmas.

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Another 700 miles and 5 days experiencing the acceleration zones around the canaries, and with the boat safely in Las Palmas marina we flew home for a couple of months before returning at the beginning of November for the start of this years ARC!!

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Rachel Lambert.

(Blog taken from our ‘Teleport-Blog.’)

The SIP-PUFF sailing method.

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Natasha Lambert sails by breath control as she cannot use her hands, so uses a small tube the size of a drinking straw fixed in a helmet which helps keep the straw in place.

Photo by WCC/James Mitchell.

This straw in-turn connects to the ram and the steering system of the boat. Using various micro processors and large electronic rewind winches, Natasha can also adjust the sails when she changes the mode of the straw by flicking a tounge switch (an LED switch within the straw.)

Natasha sailing while I keep watch (Rachel.)


A sip takes the boat to starboard (turns right) and a puff to port (Left) or sail trim, a sip to bring the sails in and a puff takes them out. It only takes very tiny movements and the system is very responsive. The system uses open source software and programmes written by Our Dad, Gary Lambert.

Rachel Lambert

(Blog taken from our ‘Teleport-blog.’)

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