Forward Port watch braved the chills of the midnight to 4am watch, only to have to set sails at 4am before being allowed back to our bunks, which at least warmed us up.
Sails were set after breakfast, so WE ARE SAILING, WE ARE SAILING (finally).
A busy morning and afternoon sailing, we wore ship (sailing terminology for landlubbers which means a big alteration in the heading of the ship using the yards by bracing them etc to turn the ship around) a couple of times before we anchored off Weymouth Bay at 4.30pm. Sails were stowed and yards braced for the final time and then everyone dressed up (men in home-made black dinner jackets) for the party evening.
The beautiful red roses which mysteriously appeared on the women’s bunks after the St Malo revelries (identity of giver still unknown) were still blooming so some were worn as corsages ready for the fun and frivolities organised for our last night on board ship. A delicious meal prepared by Cookie Dave and supernumerary cook Julie was provided, with all the voyage crew dining in the lower mess and waited on by the BM team (Lesley, Alan, Chris) and Cadet Ed. Then it was off to the bar for the race night and the Great Champagne Swindle. As usual, fun was had by all and monies raised for the JST. Lucky people included Dobbin’s Doffers winning the last race and Dee winning the champagne.
So only anchor watches to carry out, anchor will be weighed in the morning and voyage LN741 will end – but in Weymouth and not Portland. We like to be kept on our toes.
Pam, Paul, Julian, Monique, Dee, Jean, Toni, Mike L and Mike B. Forward Port Watch