Considering it was windy and chilly today it was somewhat appropriate that lunch was baked potatoes containing chilli. In previous blogs it has been noted that few people turned up for lunch when it was rough but today most turned up, proof that the Lord Nelson’s crew have eventually found their sea legs, though a few queasy souls remain.
The next 2 hours were the Lord Nelson’s official quiet time where crew members read, write and generally get a bit of sleep. Although tea and coffee was served at three o’clock most slept through it, giving those awake the opportunity to eat as many biscuits as they like (chocolate biscuits were served for the first time!). Wind has been fairly strong today resulting in rough seas and spray shooting across the foredeck. To the extent that Ali, our 2nd mate, was totally drenched at half past three, as was one of our blog writers at half past seven. Just before dinner this evening the main royal (the highest sail on the main mast) blew out, leaving small remnants of the sail blowing and flapping in the wind. Thanks to our permanent crew it is now safely stowed away and all crew members are still alive and kicking. As it is Sunday today the galley did us proud with roast beef and roast potatoes at 6 o’clock, although few Yorkshire puddings due to an accident with the oven. The crazier members of this crew have been entertaining themselves with a murder game, in which crew members are contracted to kill each other with specified weapons. At the time of writing 2 members of my watch are “dead”, one with a pillow and the other with a tube of toothpaste! It appears that we have at least left the British coast and are now 85 miles North East of the Farne islands, somewhere of the coast of Northumberland. Holland here we come!!
Hello me olds fruits! This morning started with breakfast of sausage, scrambled egg, bacon and beans, followed by happy hour which means plenty of joyful cleaning. That was followed by “smoko” – tea and biscuits. The usual afternoon’s quiet time was moved forward due to the race finishing early this afternoon which will require all hands on deck for hanging sails. The murder game is still rampant with multiple murders all over the ship. Our medical purser has committed one with an ironing board, while another murder failed, the weapon being a duvet and used on the wrong side of the ship! The ending of the race is a change of plan as it was meant to end at five o’clock tomorrow evening, This does not mean the winner has reached Holland but that ships will stop sailing and switch on their engines, having their positions noted – cheats! This is due to a difficult wind direction and the retiring of some ships, but we are very pleased to say that the Lord Nelson hasn’t retired.
Update By: Written by David Wilkins, The Old Duffer (Pete Skea)