Arrived yesterday and boarded the ship between one and two. We were allocated our watch leaders and bunks, given wet weather gear and harnesses. Then the safety talks began, then the evacuation drill done with great urgency. We then tried going aloft, most people made it to the first platform and onto the main yard, some however weren’t quite as successful. This morning, once we had finished breakfast, we had our first happy hour (cleaning the ship), we then practiced bracing the sails and the technique of sweating and tailing. The Cumbrians were interviewed by ITV border news which is showing this evening at 6.30. Later the firemen brought us water and were given a tour of the ship; finally we were ready to set sail, however there was a delay with the harbour sea locks. Now the Aft Port watch is on duty and Stella has steered us on our way so far, time for Smoko!
Hi Land Dwellers
We left harbour eventually after a slight delay waiting for the lock gates to open to let us out of Whitehaven Harbour, lots of people waving us off. The pilot boat pushed us round, the navy cast us off and the canon fired farewell with a few cameras nearly going overboard.
Yesterday our main challenge was climbing the rigging to the first platform, quite a feat. Some of us struggled to sleep last night but that was due to excitement.
We are now under sail and have reached 7 knots maximum. We will be sailing through the night to Belfast. Food is scrumptious, company good and looking forward to the rest of our voyage.
We stitched up Alec, 2nd Engineer on Cookie’s orders!
Love Linda, Anne, Sharon, Rachel, Judy & Katie (Starboard Watches)
PS Somebody who won’t be mentioned but is obviously easily lead astray by our Cookie, has stitched up the leg of Alec’s boilersuit and stuck a GG centenary badge on it!!! :o)