All aboard and full steam ahead! Well ok not quite then......
We joined the ship in Southampton early Monday afternoon (12th). After stowing all our gear, there were the usual safety briefings from Captain John, 1st Mate Chris, 2nd mate John, Chief Engineer Marco,2nd Engineer Mr Chipps, Cookie Dave and our nursie Rachel. Then followed the safety drills and a terrifying hands aloft - we were ready for something tasty. A night in the ships bars and a few others in Southampton we set sail (finally!) on Tuesday morning.
We motored up the English Channel for a bit and then got the white flappy things out...oh er sorry sails.
Our first watch was full of excitement, John explained how to helm the ship and do the looking out. Everybody got a chance at the helm and we (well those of us that are novices anyway) learned the language of starboard and port rather than right and left.
Later in the day the sea went from almost like a mill pond to ‘fairly’ bouncy causing some queasiness among the crew.
During our midnight to 4am watch we set the Mizzen Staysail in an attempt to steady the ship and make Nellie a little easier to steer. It is now just after breakfast for those who felt up to attending. Next stop Dieppe.
Aft port watch Naomi W/L, Megan, Adam, Gini, Joan, David, Luke and Emily