It seems ages since we sent in a blog and it probably is. The truth is that due to the volcano issues, everybody has been trying very hard either to get home or to help others get home, and getting access to the computer has been a total nightmare!
Quite a lot of people have stayed on the ship on a B&B basis while trying to sort out their flights,and some have decided to join up for the next
voyage- perhaps as well as hardly anyone has made it out here - it could have turned into a delivery trip to Volos, but we think we have saved it!
We have heard today that some people have made it back to the UK. Herr Schaeffer deserves a gold medal for his efforts in repatriating about 4 people other than his daughter. I think we should have a competition on the forum for the most interesting story of "How I got home from Trapani!"
That aside, we came 3rd in class in the regatta and we have a beautiful ceramic bowl as a prize- Lottie received it for us. Our crew as usual were very shy and retiring during the crew parade (!!??), and did appear to be leading the Mexican waves as the parade returned to the quay side for the presentation. We did put a team in for the Tug of War - James was in charge and selected on the basis of weight. The vision presented to the opposition did seem to shock them almost into submission , but they recovered from the shock and unfortunately beat our team - shame guys, it was good try - eat more of Hammies cakes next time!.
Today all the permanent crew except the 2 duty officers are having a half day and most of us are heading up the funicular to the village of Erice, which is 756m high. As quite a lot of the remaining voyage crew are also doing this you may hear more tomorrow Sue MP