After dropping anchor for the night, the crew settled into watches and prepared to while away the long night hours. The next day, those not on watch were woken by Nursie aka Rachel, even though most of the crew were up and about any way; perhaps paranoid that they might miss breakfast.
First order of the day was a quick briefing from the watch leaders then another evacuation drill, which was beginning to run like clock work, although Sue (as our only wheelchair user) was no doubt becoming a little tired of being man handled on to the deck. That dealt with, it was time to start thinking about weighing anchor and doing some sailing! Everybody was assigned their task and we retrieved our very muddy anchor without a hitch. Once underway we divided into our watches and began being drilled the “ins and outs” of backing the yards, i.e. swivelling the horizontal sticks, to which sails are tied, around the mast. Once this was mastered we unfurled some canvas and started sailing.
The cadets on board had been given the job of testing the “elderly” diesel fire pump, which meant carrying copious amounts of water around in buckets, becoming frustrated when it refused start and being covered in a cloud of smoke when it did.
The day was sunny and everybody tried to make the most of it by being out on deck, unfortunately any sunbathing was prematurely cut short by happy hour which started at 1600.
After the vessel was all spick and span, it was time for smoko again, and one of the crews returned to their watch, overseeing the movement of the Lord Nelson, unfortunately the wind had died down so not a lot of movement commenced.
Oh wind…how we miss thee…
We long for you wind…
Come back to bless our sails!!!
Till tomorrow my love, where we shall meet again, on this expansive crystal glass pool of dreams.
By Matt (Aft Port watch) with help from Heather J