LN709 Web Report
Despite this, novices were let loose at the helm, but under Peter’s patient tuition we avoided zig-zagging too wildly through the waves or ending up back at Portsmouth instead of Cherbourg. One or two of us had to make speedy dashes for the side in between steering but did make sure we handed over the wheel first. By 4 am we had all had enough and ready for our bunks when the second mate kept us on deck with the oncoming watch to hand the foremast course sail, and then to bed for a couple of hours sleep, some holiday voyage!!!
We arrived in Cherbourg at about 9am BST just after a good breakfast, shortly after we were moored on the dock side the Tenacious and a single dolphin arrived, Tenacious came in a bit wide due to a slight wind that blew her away from the dock and she sailed past Lord Nelson where and exchange of fire took place in the form of water bombs that raked both ships from stem to stern. Having turned, Tenacious then docked successfully.
Then it was “wheelchairs aloft” (for the willing rather than the pressed) and fortunately for all this team trust-building exercise was a successful as ever (possibly to the bemusement of a few French fishermen). At the same time some brave ‘assisted’ climbers went right out of their comfort zones onto the ‘The Tops’. After applause we were all granted “shore leave” to hit the taverns and fleshpots of Cherbourg (though some poor souls who’d only had two hours kip made for their bunks).
Shore leave consisted of a little bit of shopping, a little bit of sitting in a French square drinking beer followed by a very nice meal in the Café du Paris then back to the ship for ‘one more lat one’ in the form of a round of ‘Dark and Stormys’ in the ships bar before bed.
Aft Port Watch
Peter, Barry, Rob, Helen, Dani, Bob, Debby, Nathan