Started today in Boulogne sur la mer....harbour watch soon became anchors away. AS (Aft Starboard) watch started with an air of dread for those whose sea legs and stomachs still hadn't settled. The calm and steady sea, off Cap Blanc Nez then Cap Gris Nez was not to last! gale force 8 later! Wearing the ship.....crossing the Traffic Seperation Scheme and wearing the ship again kept us all busy. Setting the sails with the wind speed (35 knots gusting 40) put a different slant on yo yoing. Doccy did us proud up aloft stowing the sails. The rain fell and the swell swelled. We eventually rounded North Foreland head and dropped anchor off Margate whilst Doccy and the others were still battling with the sails aloft. Eventually a very eventful and hard watch, during which we had seen sunshine, rain, force 8 gales and alot of sail handing and bracing, came to an end at 1600 hrs. Us mere mortals looked on in amazement as our brave watch leader clambered out the yards leading by example. Needless to say, we failed to follow, just watching this challenging task unfold above our eyes! Alas next time we'll follow. We soon retired to the upper mess for a late smokko! What an afternoon we had.
Kate, Aft Stbd.