Voyage LN 782 begins !
Yesterday the new voyage crew joined us between 2pm and 3.30pm from all over the UK , arriving in brilliant sunshine and amidst the throngs visiting us in the Tall Ships Event. It is a totally festival atmosphere, with helium ballons, stalls, music, and ofcourse all the ships….. there are, I believe, 48 of varying sizes in at present. They all have dress flags decorating the masts, and there is plenty of camaraderie as crew visit the ships that they have sailed on at other times.
We are alongside a massive open brick warehouse, which is the hospitality area for the Crew nights , plenty of food stalls and beer stalls, and karaoke for those who can! … and those who really shouldn’t ! Good fun, and plenty of music, we were a day late for Lulu but I hear she can still rock on!
On board, Dave, our Cookie Monster and Joyce his willing assistant, welcomed everyone with a superb buffet on deck, and ofcourse the obligatory rain shower kicked in for ten minutes . No spirits were dampened, all ate well and strolled ashore before returning to Harbour Watches or bunks or bar.
The night rounded off with a massive firework display, lasting around 15 minutes and followed by all the ships blasting their horns in appreciation, a great finale.
Today we have cloudy skies but it is warm and bright enough for sunglasses. At present, those that are able are having their first (for some) climb aloft, having already had a second, timed evacuation drill and a hearty cooked breakfast. Smoko is an ongoing nibble of chocolate brownies and we await a fresh seafood lunch – thanks Fred the Fish for arranging this for us ! Yes.. it really is all about food today !
We are going to be the last ship out in the Parade of Sail, planning to leave the berth around 13.45 to reach our position for the parade. Captain Chris Phillips has it all in hand, and will be ably assisted by 1st Mate Jon, 2nd Mate Caroline and Bosun Marcin. Never forgetting the hard work of Nick and Jules, our lovely BMs. As for Marco ( Chief Engineer) and Ken, his 2nd, I think that they play an important part too! The voyage crew are learning to brace the yards later this morning, and then will be heaving, sweating and tailing to get those sails up.. So team work on the Lord Nelson and we are sailing towards an anchorage tonight in Catacol Bay.
We will try and update you as often as possible, but theses beautiful areas have very little signal spots.
All for now, Jane MP