Pelangi, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Sailboat Pelangi is ready to set sail, with the Blue Spirit flag tied to the mast.
Laury’s family on board Pelangi, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. From L to R: Andy Lees (uncle), Solen Lees (mother), Maïa Gratiet (sister), Rowan Lees (cousin), Ellen Lees (cousin).
The ‘crew’ on board Pelangi, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Pelangi’s Skipper Dhara Thompson gives the family-turned-crew a safety briefing, and they help each other put their life jackets on securely - this kind of teamwork is essential from the outset.
Learning the ropes aboard Pelangi, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Under the instruction of Skipper Dhara, the family learns how to hoist the sail in preparation for their voyage.
On board Jalapeño, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Before setting off on Pelangi, Solen and Maïa hop onto adjacent boat Jalapeño to meet Skipper Jim Wright who is preparing for the Blue Spirit community sail.
Pelangi leaves Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Back on Pelangi, Skipper Dhara helps Solen with directions as she steers the boat out of Itchenor Harbour.
Pelangi out at sea, off the coast of Itchenor, August 2022. After much preparation, the family sets sail zigzagging their way to the Isle of Wight on increasingly choppy waters.
On board Jalapeño, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Meanwhile, Skipper Jim gives a safety briefing to the two Blue Spirit participants Emilee and Sam.
On board Jalapeño, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Skipper Jim plots the route to the Isle of Wight from the captain’s seat, while listening to the Shipping Forecast.
Setting sail aboard Jalapeño, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Skipper Jim directs Blue Spirit participant Emilee out of Itchenor Harbour.
Sailing aboard Jalapeño, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Blue Spirit participant Sam takes to the wheel once the boat is out at sea.
Sailing aboard Jalapeño, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. First Mate Finn Lewis keeps his watchful eye on the route ahead while the Blue Spirit girls take it in turns to steer the boat – the sea is starting to churn, and experienced eyes are needed on deck.
Sailing aboard Jalapeño, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Sam helps with navigation from the captain’s seat.
Sailing aboard Jalapeño, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. First Mate Finn shares sailing stories with Sam as the evening draws in and the sea finally calms.
Sailing aboard Jalapeño, Itchenor Harbour, August 2022. Sam perfects her sailing knots by making herself a hammock to sleep in.
Jalapeño approaching the Isle of Wight, August 2022. The crew gently sail in the evening sunlight towards the spot they will drop anchor next to Pelangi just off the coast of the Isle of Wight.
Pelangi and Jalapeño off the Isle of Wight coast, August 2022. Once both boats have anchored, Pelangi Skipper Dhara rows over in his dinghy to fetch Jalapeño Skipper Jim as he needs his help to untangle his sail.
Pelangi anchored at the Isle of Wight, August 2022. Skipper Dhara ascends the mast in the bosun chair to unravel his tangled sail while the family gets ready for bed.
Pelangi, off the Isle of Wight coast, August 2022. By the first light of the next day, Skipper Dhara pulls up anchor and prepares to set sail.
Pelangi, off the Isle of Wight coast, August 2022. Pelangi sets off on its voyage across the English Channel to Northern France.
Skipper Dhara on Pelangi, off the Isle of Wight coast, August 2022. It was a nail-biting expedition for Skipper Dhara to take a family of novice sailors across the English Channel without a First Mate.
Breton signpost, Côtes-D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. The Bretons feel a strong sense of pride in their language and culture. Children can learn Breton in school these days but unlike many students, Laury learnt to speak it fluently.
Sailboat, Côtes-D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. The northern coast of Brittany typically has sandy beaches, rocky outcrops and is dotted with sailboats.
Solen Lees – Laury’s mother - with her special object “I wanted to sail across the Channel between Laury’s two homelands to viscerally experience what gave him most pleasure in life. I have realised how complex sailing is and I feel proud that Laury had become such a competent sailor. He was the Skipper of a boat which sailed from ... (to read more, click on the image)
Maïa Gratiet – Laury’s sister – with her special object “It was a cathartic experience being on a sailing boat with my family as part of Laury’s legacy. He had wanted to sail all the way to South America as his next project and I wanted to understand why. I did the crossing for Laury - I think he would be happy, proud, and pleasantly surprised ... (to read more, click on the image)
Rowan Lees – Laury’s cousin - with his special object “I felt that the crossing was a unique opportunity to focus on our grief as a family and talk more openly about our collective loss. I had felt worried about the trip in the build up to it as I wasn’t sure how I’d cope. My sea sickness got the better of me on the main crossing day and I found ... (to read more, click on the image)
Ellen Lees – Laury’s cousin - with her special object “I was motivated to do the Channel crossing as I felt it would be a way to understand Laury better and his passion for sailing and I wanted to feel closer to him. Laury had taken us the ‘gang of four’ - Laury, Maïa, Rowan and myself - out on a catamaran at age 13 in Port Blanc, Northern Brittany and ... (to read more, click on the image)
Andy Lees – Laury’s uncle – with his special object “I wanted to do the crossing to support my sister and niece and to create some memories about Laury with my kids. I’ve never had a great interest in sailing, but it was good to get an insight into what Laury enjoyed about it. I remember watching him go out on small boats when he was little. I regret (to read more, click on the image)
Arrival celebrations, Penvénan, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Friends and partners toast the safe arrival of Laury’s family. From L to R: Leda (family friend), Nick (Solen’s partner), Lily (Rowan’s partner), Rowan, Solen, Andy.
Cimitière de Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Solen and Maïa visit Laury’s grave at the Cimitière de Port Blanc with friends and family. The cemetery is located just up the hill from where Laury first learnt to sail at the Centre Nautique de Port Blanc.
Chez Iago Gratiet, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Maïa goes back to her family home to visit her dad, Iago, and to spend time with her half-sister, Poppy.
Chez Iago Gratiet, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Maia is doing a degree in fashion in the UK. She regularly goes back to the house in Brittany where she grew up with Laury to spend time with her dad, Iago, and to see her old school friends.
Chez Iago Gratiet, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Laury’s father, Iago with his daughter, Laury and Maïa’s half-sister, Poppy. Poppy only remembers a few things about Laury as she was so young when he died. Iago recounts many stories of Laury’s daredevil adventures on the farm when he was growing up.
Laury’s half-sister Poppy at home, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. There are memories of Laury all over the farm, from the straw-bale cabin he built, where his friends would come for raucous sleepovers (the sleeping bags are still inside), to the tractor his father Iago had taught him to ride around the farm on.
Chez Iago Gratiet, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. The first boat Laury learnt to sail in when he was a little boy was an optimist. Iago keeps it on the farm to remember his son.
Fest-noz, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Laury’s family and friends stage a traditional Breton music and dance festival in honour of his love for traditional Breton culture. Laury’s mother Solen hugs her friend Guy Brooks who has come over from the UK for the memorial festivities.
Fest-noz, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Laury’s family engage in traditional Breton dancing. From L to R: guest, Poppy, Maïa, Lily (Rowan’s girlfriend), Rowan, Ellen.
Fest-noz, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Laury’s best friend Camille Bossard performs with fellow Breton musicians.
Fest-noz, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Breton singer at the fest-noz with instrumentalists.
Fest-noz, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Breton singer at the fest-noz with Camille looking on.
Fest-noz, Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Breton accordionist at the fest-noz.
Marie Vuillard, Laury’s girlfriend, sailing on Pelangi in the role of First Mate, off the coast of Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. “I first met Laury in 2017 when we were studying on a course to become sailing instructors. We fell in love, but our relationship was on and off for a couple of years. In May 2020, Laury invited me to join him ... (to read more, click on the image)
Sailing aboard Pelangi, off the coast of Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Skipper Dhara works with First Mate Marie to sail Pelangi around the rough waters of the northern Breton coast.
Sailing aboard Pelangi, off the coast of Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Lighthouse seen from the boat.
Sailing aboard Pelangi, off the coast of Port Blanc, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Skipper Dhara surveys the route ahead while First Mate Marie navigates Pelangi.
Sailing aboard Pelangi, approaching Tréguier, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. First Mate Marie prepares the ropes for arrival in Tréguier. Image
Sailing aboard Pelangi, approaching Tréguier, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Maïa and Ellen prepare the ropes for arrival in Tréguier.
On board Pelangi, Tréguier, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Rowan does some final chores on Pelangi as the rest of the family prepare for departure.
On board Pelangi, Tréguier, Côtes-D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Solen and Lily (Rowan’s girlfriend) say their farewells as everyone goes off in different directions.
On board Pelangi, Tréguier, Côtes D’Armor, Brittany, August 2022. Juanan Eguiguren has made a short film of the same name In His Slipstream about the family’s pilgrimage, directed by Shelley Pigott and edited by Joanna Duchesne from JDWorks. The film will be released shortly.