Web report LN 745 GG1 – the tale so far.....Including some quotes from the on board GG log book.
So the Girl Guides centenary ‘Ultimate Tall ship adventure’ begins. This is something the permanent crew of the Lord Nelson have been looking forward to and now here we are, the first guides have arrived, from all parts of the UK, for LN 745 GG1 sailing from Glasgow to Oban.
‘It wasn’t a very adventurous start, as adventures go’ said Lizzie from Norfolk (well known for its mountaintop moments!!) ‘but we made up for it later by sending her up the foremast and out on the yard - ha!’
Of course the first day was full of introductions and training and all the necessary things to make ‘going to sea’ a safe experience for all, such as ‘how NOT to fall overboard!’ Then being a prestigious event for the GG, the press arrived. The Scotsman, The Herald, the Evening News and BBC Scotland – we hope some of you caught some footage of the guides up the rigging and giving their first impressions too!
WL Dinah: ‘The press asked us to ‘smile’ whilst we were climbing the rigging, and then complained our hair was over our eyes for the photo’s’. ‘Happily he too had a chance to go aloft – he was terrified!!’
The second day started early with breakfast (a ‘full English’ – of course) and there were many full Scots by the end of it! Then we started to get the ship ready to leave the berth and a number of well wishers and family members were there to see us off.
Lexy: The linesmen and I were landed ashore to help guide the gangway in, whilst the others heaved on the rope to the commands of ‘Haul away’, ‘Well’, ‘Lower away’ and ‘Come up’. Our lines men, who were still on the quayside, soon realised as the ship slipped her moorings that they had no choice but to climb into the DOTI boat and then up the side of the ship’.
WL Leigh: We then sailed down the Clyde Estuary with the Girl guiding Topsail for all to see.
Jane, Ali, WL Margaret, Malaika, Katy and Mhairi: ‘After lunch, we had to brave the wet and windy Scottish weather, whilst wearing the latest in fashion wet weather gear! We all had a go at helming the ship and were privileged to see some dolphins off the starboard bow. Dinner was good but we did miss the mysterious sauce’.
We dropped anchor that night in Scalpsie Bay on the west side of the Isle of Bute and awoke to ‘very wet, very cold and very windy weather!’
Alec 2nd Engineer: ‘At the moment the weather is very Scottish and all the crew are finding their sea legs. I have been playing in the Engine Room so I don’t mind if it rains! We’ve had a lot of fun so far and all the permanent crew hope that it continues to be as good!’
WL Bridget, Megan, Lizzie, Jenny and Jo: Day 3 started ‘pretty miserably’ wet, cold and windy. Our plans to visit Aran and to meet the guides who live there were thwarted by various roadworks and such like which prevented the Aran guides getting down to the ship to welcome us. So, once we had raised the anchor, we set the sails and sailed off the anchorage heading for Raithlin Island, off the north coast of Northern Ireland. ‘While this was going on, Jenny was working tirelessly in the galley, creating a culinary masterpiece that was the ‘cheesy beano’s’. During quiet time, some of us braved the bowsprit where we bounced up and down to the roll of the waves.’
As I write this web report, we are enjoying beautiful sunshine at anchor off Raithlin Island and after breakfast and a ‘happy hour’ getting the ship spick and span, we have run our DOTI boat to the island with everyone on board, for a day to explore the island whilst the permanent crew are on board getting ‘sundowners’ and a BBQ ready for their return.
We’ll keep you posted of further developments.
Rachel MP LN