Day 2- Angus, Ellie, Claudette(Steve’s watch; Aft Starboard)
At 12-30 pm the ship set sail after a minor hiccup with the gangway leaving Steve lacking in skin after a ‘savage’(!) friction burn from the rope, having previously confidently stating that you do not in fact need gloves, it should be noted that all members of his watch opted to wear gloves when learning to brace the sails. He was later seen drinking Guinness.
It’s good to be finally out at sea and thankfully no sea-sickness yet. We’re heading for Scheveningen in Holland, but we won’t have a proper watch until 0400, since this afternoon’s was spent bracing the sails with all hands on deck. It’s true that many hands make light work, and there was a huge sense of achievement when she was finally under full sail. The nautical terms are going to be difficult to get used to; I’ve already been told that “I’m not going downstairs, I’m going below deck”, and it’s a test of memory when someone’s yelling “come up”, meaning ‘drop the rope’.
Mess duty is interesting while at sea. This is when we help “cookie” and Derek “Dad” in the Galley and in the mess. I think we may be more of a hindrance than a help. Starting at 1700 hours we start by laying the table with the “sticky mats”. These stop your tea ending up in your opposite crew member’s knee however, everyone has started to hate these horrible sticky things! One good thing about being on mess duty is you get to eat early in the upper mess with windows! The worst thing is the washing up. Tomorrow it is breakfast duty with a 0645 wake-up call. Yipee!
Aft Starboard watch