Today saw the voyage crew of LN 726 say goodbye to the Lord Nelson (hopefully just `au revoir'!). Some great friendships have been formed and it's been good to see everyone having a great time together too.
Safe journey's guys and we hope to see you all back on board soon! Then it was time to turn the ship around and get her ship shape, ready for the incoming voyage crew. No sooner had we had lunch, than foot steps could be heard coming up the gangway (well that's an exaggeration really because... boom, boom, boom... we're berthed just opposite the ...boom, boom, boom...gig tent and its making the ship v-i-b-r-a- t-e...boom, boom, boom...!!) Apparently we're enjoying Finland's pop idol runner up! The Tall Ship's event here in Turku really has drawn a crowd. One journalist managed to get a good photo of the Lord Nelson which by the time we arrived alongside had made the back page of the Turku press `Turun Sanamat'- a full A3 souvenir size spread and this has been printed to posters and has been very popular with the crowds too.
So our new crew have arrived safely - though we're hoping a few bags will catch up too before we head out to sea and the parade of sail tomorrow. The permanent crew have been introduced: Nick the mate; Ali the 2nd mate; Marcin the Bosun; Marco the chief engineer with Mr Chipps the second engineer; Becky the Cook (Dave if you're reading this w e hope your leg mends soon!); Rachel the medical purser and our Bosun 's mates for this voyage, Gillian and Nick. Once this was done, Nick the mate then started the training briefings. With the first of these out of the way it was good to relax together over a lovely dinner of steak in ale, jacket potatoes and fresh veg followed by fresh cream and peach pavlova - just the ticket!
So, now our new crew have been given shore leave and a chance to look around Turku and the various events going on (boom, boom, boom....) before getting their heads down and being ready to get the ship ready for sea and the start of our next leg of the Tall Ship's race 2009 - keep your eyes on our web reports, will try and keep you updated and promise you our very best efforts....
Rachel
MP LN