Mike paid a very special visit to the children of Year One at Hook-with-Warsah Primary School on Thursday.  The 30 children had been following Mike's progress  in the Vendee Globe from the start and had included many Vendee related activites as part of their school educational programme.
 
A low point came when their class teacher had to tell them that Mike had dismasted and was no longer in the race.
 
However, on Thursday morning, the children were able to quiz and question Mike in person asking him about the salife that he saw, what he missed and what he loved the most about the race.
 
Mike also showed the children some of the footage that he had taken while on the Vendee, from flying fish to the mast climb.  
 
One of the children said, 'I wish you had won,' to which Mike replied 'me too, me too.'
 
The children then sang Mike their new Vendee Globe song,

Hook-with-Warsash Vendee Globe Song 2 - written and arranged by Alison Get and Iain Reid
 
On December the 15th Mike was in the lead, yeah!

30 knots was Ecover's speed!

But a storm was unfolding, for the sailor Mike Golding,

The power of nature, he then was beholding.

Early next morning, along came a blast,

Too strong for the main sail, Then SNAP! Went the mast!

Our hands we were folding in prayers for Mike Golding,

Please Lord keep him safe, and his courage upholding.

Now he is back home, and soon is his yacht,

The children of Year One, have learnt such a lot!

So we thank you Mike Golding, young sailors you're moulding,

And the Ecover builders . . .are in for a scolding!