Thursday morning is wet, cold and windy, so don't think we have been sun bathing in the Med while everyone else has been shivering back in the UK. At least the wind is pushing us in the right direction. As the wind starts to ease, we set upper topsails and topgallants and finally the spanker, which is always a bit of a challenge. By mid afternoon, as the wind begins to veer and die, we hand most of the sails, leaving just the staysails to steady the ship. As the ship's motion eases, most of those who had retired to their bunks, re-emerge and begin to feel human again.
After an excellent dinner of roast lamb and tiramisu, we spend a quiet evening on watch. The conversation ranges far and wide. Some people share their life histories, while others compete with exciting and hair raising stories of blue water racing.
After coming off watch at midnight, we sleep very soundly and wake to an excellent cooked breakfast. The Greek islands of Kefallinia and Zakinthos ( Kefalonia and Xante)are in sight as we head towards the Corinth Canal. The permanent crew entertain us with a fire drill in which Penelope, the dummy, is rescued from an imaginary smoke filled pump room and eventually revived by our resident nurse, though the honorary chaplain did wonder at one stage whether he would have to perform a burial at sea.
FP Watch