Published: Wednesday, 7th July, 2010 12:37pm

Dollar teen sets sail on adventure

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Rachel Davenport learned to helm the ship - and scrub the deck.

A DOLLAR girl has just completed her part in the 'Ultimate Tall Ships Adventure'.

As part of Girl Guiding UK's centenary celebrations, 10 different crews have taken part in different legs of a 100 day voyage around Britain aboard the Lord Nelson.

Rachel Davenport (14), a young leader with 3rd Dollar Brownies, sailed the stretch from Oban to Aberdeen. The boat stopped at Stornoway and Stromness on the way where they were visited by local Guides and Brownies.

During her trip Rachel learned to set sails, helm the ship and climb the rigging, as well as taking her turn on mess duty and scrubbing decks.

She told the Advertiser, "It was a great thing to be involved in. We had two watches of four hours each day.

"Steering the ship was great fun, I was a bit worried about staying on course as one wave can affect where you are going. I also enjoyed filling in the log book and checking on the weather."

Rachel was one of the younger crew members with the majority of the rest of the group comprising older Ranger Guides and young leaders.

She added, "The best bit was climbing the mast, and seeing dolphins, whales and basking sharks.

"I got to meet loads of great people from all over, who were fun to be with. I can't wait to go back to the Jubilee Sailing Trust and sail again next year."

The Alva Academy pupil is keen to spend more time experiencing a life on the ocean waves.

"I would like to do a sailing course in the summer," said Rachel. "Things like reading the wind is quite difficult to pick up and you have to work it out from the boat's point of view."