04/09/12 - Lord Nelson

12pm-4pm We had square sails and jib set, we were sailing beautifully past Skipness when the wind freshened in open water, between Kintyre and the Gandalf mountains of Arran. We sped along in sunshine and a good fresh wind, avoiding many prawn fishermen who seemed intent on giving Lesley palpitations.
We altered course around the Cock of Arran, with an eye on a lifeboat crew manoeuvring with a coastguard Sea-King. Helicopter. Bill ( young at 94) was cheered as he climbed the shrouds to the first platform on the foremast ,for more film footage of passage under sail. On the bridge, we decided that sailing on the Nellie was the elixir of youth itself…the longer we sailed, the younger we felt. All except JP ( 17 )of course, who was in his element at the helm. The Sea-king crew came low over the waves to inspect, and flew two small circuits – having been treated to FS doing crazy waving duty on the bridge. Back to serious stuff, and a tutorial on glaciation! The PCs practiced emergency DOTI launching after we’d turned into wind, and took more photos for everyone. Round the East of Arran (not a film) we lost the wind, and, hooray, hoisted the fore course ( BIG SAIL) we cracked along fine, but in the wrong direction, so handed it again. Phew. This took 45 minutes, then it was time for the author to turn galley slave. Ally exceeded her previous zenith of culinary excellence at supper, feasting us on, chicken filled with haggis in a whiskey cream sauce—(oh YES !), herb potatoes and veg. fabulous peach frangipani followed…. Several crew managed several helpings. Now to the quiz in the bar… Louise, on behalf of F/S watch