Day 2 should have started with the Aft Port watch getting into their nice warm bunks at the end of the 'First' watch at 0000hrs.
But no. That bliss was stolen from us by the decision to 'ware ship' by 'squaring the yards'. The better informed will know what that entailed but result was another half an hour or so getting even colder and a corresponding shorter time in that nice warm bunk before breakfast and the usual 'happy hour'.
Ok, the setting sun, the just past full moon appearing above a line of cloud and the excitement of calculating whether the 115m long cargo ship with questionable navigation lights would pass in front or behind, compensated somewhat - or did it?
A hurried lunch - it had to be to get out of the way for setting the tables for the rest of the crew - and onto the 'Afternoon' watch which included lowering the sails - actually they get pulled up - motoring through the Sound of Isla, setting the sails agian - actually pulling them down - on a glorious aftrenoon when our efforts were recognised by an RAF Hurcules which changed course to buzz us.
Now, waiting for dinner, we are sailing 260 deg towards the slowly lowering sun hoping to snatch a bit of shut-eye before 'Middle' watch which starts where we should have stopped last night - midnight! Sleep well while we enjoy the moon and the stars and just maybe some shooting ones.
Frances Hookham Aft Port .