So here it is at last, the last night watch we will do this voyage! So we will take some time to reflect on all the good times we have had with our new found friends.
Some people came to this voyage not knowing anybody but will go away feeling like they have known people for all their lives. We have all been thrown together in a random mix but have found that we will greatly miss all of the people we have got to know. Many people will say that this is a great experience. We disagree, we say that it is a once in a life time opportunity and would recommend it to anybody who gets a chance. Emma Hargrave Aft Port Watch GG7 (Trip LN751)
Wow, it’s all gone so quickly. The last watch before we leave and I will miss everyone here on the ship, especially the permanent crew without their guidance we would not have gotten through the voyage. They also entertained us, sometimes without meaning to, and helped us out in so many ways; they deserve a huge thank you! I have loved every minute of it and will remember all the amazing experiences, like helming into port, seeing dolphins, and climbing the rigging, for the rest of my life. THANK YOU EVERYONE! Sarah Ritchie Aft Port Watch GG7 (Trip LN751).
Lucy and Stephanie here on night watch it’s been an amazing trip and adventure. We loved putting up the fake girl guiding sail today (they mean the girl guiding mesh topsail) and spent the evening walking round Falmouth reading magazines and getting fashion advice from Keith (he’s an eager beaver when it comes to look magazine) .The watch leaders are enjoying themselves...... no custard creams left ahhhhhh!!!!!! This voyage has been awesome, and although I am sad to be leaving, I am excited to get home... all the way over in the almighty Northern Ireland! Wahey! Lucy just asked me if we have the North Star in my home country... kill me now. ;) A big thanks to all the permanent crew and BM’s for making this lifetime experience possible for us! Stephanie & Lucy a.k.a RASPBERRY PIRATES! (GG7)
Another pirate here, this time it’s Annabel. It’s now 2.05 AM and I still haven’t gone to bed yet. I have been drinking excessive amounts of Tango orange and consuming jammy dodgers.
Even though it has been aforementioned many times I would personally like to thank the permanent crew for all their help that they have given us from cooking our meals to aiding us in climbing the mast (But a word of advice Marcin, invest in a bra).
I have now read OK magazine from cover to cover and we’ve woken up the next watch. I want to go home and sleep and not have to wake up early but at the same time I’m going to miss everyone here so much. Helen (Clark) was saying really sweet yet slightly depressing things earlier about how we’d remember it for the rest of our lives and never be able to forget the great time we’ve had on the Lord Nelson, but at the same time it would be lonely going home and not having 40 other members of Girl guiding UK to talk to. It was quite sad.
Hannah and Sophie here...Annabel did wake us up but unfortunately we fell back to sleep. Though late we are now on watch, an experience we won’t miss as much as the rest that we have to hold in our memories. The thought of not being able to sit and eat my meals, in the company of 40 other guides, whilst laughing so much with the amazing new friends that I have made seems slightly saddening and although it hasn’t happened yet, look out for tears later as we have our final breakfast on the good ship Nellie. L Sophie Forward Port Watch.
Yaaaawn, 4.20 in the chart room here looking after our big ship Lord Nelson. Although I am tired to be up so unnaturally early, I am pleased it means we have the longest last day possible on our ship. Tonight I will be back in my spacious, non-swaying bed, but I will miss all the great crew and guiding people who have been absolutely lovely to spend 10 days with. Oh and this morning I didn’t put my bunk light on so as not to wake everyone up. I therefore got dressed in the dark and was halfway up the stairs before I realised I had my trousers on back to front. Oops Hannah, Forward Port
Final watch on the good ship Nelly is here and Helen (Clark) and Alex (Snell) are in charge, just the way it should be!! Don’t panic we are keeping a watch out for pirates, and fires and waves (oh my!) Our time is almost over and there is such a mix of emotions on board. Everyone is desperate for their own beds and an uninterrupted sleep but other than that I believe that no one really wants to go home. The guiding and social bond between is us is so strong that for a while none of us will be the same without each other for a while. This ship has seen people aged 14-25 discover more about themselves than I think some possibly thought they would. We have had fair weather sailors and people willing and ready to help at any point and give that help to anyone. Together we have made it happen. This week I have seen the guide promise in action more times than I was able to count and I feel so special and blessed to have such beautiful and kind hearted people introduced into my life. Some I will forget of course 40 is a lot, but from this adventure of a life time some will have gained a place in my heart forever. We’ve seen good times, bad times and guiding times. Here to the next voyage or reunion. Hope to see you all there. Helen x x
50 minutes left of final watch. We have done the wake ups and the weather is looking good for our journeys home let’s hope it stays nice so we all get home safely. Helen again x