12/03/12 - Lord Nelson

12th March, Santa Catalina, Las Palmas
The sun is shining, the sea is blue.... so we are all very happy maintainers this week.
As usual there is plenty to be done, and the needle gunning team are hard at work on the forward bulwarks. Kirsten, our resident BM, is prettily sewing sails in the sunshine, on the quayside.
Katie, James and various cadets are painting, others are sorting out the weather tight door seals, and yet more are grinding and sanding the deckhouse, to paint later in the week.
Lesley, the Bosun, has them all under control, and has provided the above information!
Welsh Andy and Sophia are being very helpful in the catering department, under the direction of (marine artist) Keith, and big boss Derek. As always, we are being treated to gorgeous homemade breads, various salads, pasta bakes, roast dinners.... good job that so many calories are being used!
Captain Chris (in pink polo shirt) and Jon, the Mate are escorting a Marine inspector around the ship, and popping up from hatches and bilges randomly.
The engineering department are scurrying around in a convincingly busy manner, although it has been noted that Marco is considerably more tanned than 2nd engineer Shiny Tony is!
So, today it is just me in the domestic department, with the washing pile finally looking as if I am winning, and the bunks getting washed ready for more kind maintainers arrival today. It is great to have so many people prepared to help us out, save us money, and turn their hands to many skilled jobs....especially as some of them are working in borrowed gear, awaiting EasyJet to reunite them with their luggage! The Captain included !
We will update later in the week, with a progress report.