Three Men in a Boat

Jon Sermon, Senior Student 2004/05 writes of a recent experience…

Its not all hard work, training at Northern College. There can be adventure… Students are encouraged, if possible, to experience an overseas placement in a very different culture. I will be going to Uganda for four weeks this summer. My “holiday”, on the other hand, was a very different adventure, partly a fundraising exercise towards the Uganda project. Not for my own costs (there is a grant from the World Church department and help from the college budget) but towards the project itself.

Adventure can also be a spiritual experience. Thus, I planned a trip, with my brother Robin and my father David. We described ourselves as three “not so young men” (combined age 170 years) who set ourselves an onerous challenge. Between 9^th and 18^th June, in an antique sailing yacht (no motor) we attempted to reach all the limits of navigation on the rivers of the Norfolk Broads. (Our hired boat featured in the BBC film “Swallows and Amazons Forever” as “Teasel” so you may have seen her).

It was far from easy. There are complicated tide patterns to allow for and the need to lower the mast each time you pass under a low bridge. Winds were often far too light and we lost half a day when I hit a dredging platform! (The boatyard staff came out and undertook a repair which exhibited exceptional craftsmanship!) It became clear that we were behind schedule so we took to starting at five every morning, to use the maximum daylight. When conditions prevented sailing, by rowing one final stretch in a tiny dingy and walking another, WE DID IT!

A particular highlight was the Sunday morning informal communion service held on the boat, miles from civilisation.

As well as enjoying a challenging and exhausting adventure, I have raised almost £600 for the “Romans 1.11 Trust” project, training local pastors in a deprived rural part of Uganda, where I go for the next adventure.