01/07/2008 - Lord Nelson

Web report Day 3
After a smooth and timely departure from Belfast on Monday morning, and after getting through the necessary and important safety drills, we ran north keeping close in to the Antrim coast.  We had set fore course, topsail, topgallant and royal as well as main topsail, topgallant and royal along with the flying jib. All crew settling in well. You could tell the excitement was going to start, weather wise, during the First watch which the trusty Fwd Stbd watch took on. By morning Day 3 (Tuesday) we woke (assuming you had actually slept in the very heavy rolling!) to a full gale (gusting 50 knt E wind, generally Force 8/9 occ. Storm 10). This caused a change of plan from an overnight snugged up in Colonsay (now too exposed on the east side) to an anchorage on W. Jura which provided some welcome relief but needs a close eye from the Captain and permanent crew as regards any shift in wind direction. All the Gadgets (ie the Merchant Cadets) would like me to say that they had to climb the main mast to tie off the gaskets in a Storm Force 10. Word is that the storm will take 10 -15 hours longer to pass through - can't you just love this British summer weather!

Galley crew supplying those still standing with excellent food, and even a truncated 'happy hour' was completed without too many complaints! Medical Purser Rachel opened her shop at 15.30 for those keen to invest in clothing and did a roaring t4rade in selling warm fleece hats etc. The day is closing with a good turnout in the bar replete after a generous ration of Belgian chocolates from Esther rounding off corned beef pie and plum pudding and custard from our illustrious cook Gerry. So far we're snug and sound anchored just off Jura, due east of Colonsay, it may be remote but we have just spotted a lobe figure on shore, perhaps it's George Orwell (a literary reference for those of you familiar with where he wrote 1984 (Jura!).
 Update by Watchleader Bruce, Forward Starboard Watch