13/08/12 - Tenacious

On day 3 of 4 day sails at the moment, these days have been going well. Yesterday and the day before the passengers leaving the ship all appeared to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and quite a few said they were interested in coming back for a voyage, even though I had roped a few of them into heaving huge fenders on board for me. Cook Graham has done us proud again with help from his cooks assistants Marian, Hammy, Tracey, Mary, Sarah and Holly.
I enjoyed a catch up with Medical Purser Carol who took me under her wing when I first joined the sister ship, Nelly in February this year, and I met her daughter and granddaughter which was a pleasure.
I did my second NOB duty (night on board) last night since joining Tenacious on 27th July and learnt how to take down the ship’s large brass bell. It was quite heavy so I got mate Ali to help me because I didn’t want to drop it on the nice woodwork in front of the helm, or on my toe for that matter!
I also had a catch up with some of the staff from the office who remembered me from previous voyages, Tina, Fliss and Jo. Tina was really helpful with dishing out name stickers for the passengers at the beginning of the days whilst I ticked them off my list and ensured they didn’t run up the gangway without getting signed on! Incidentally two people did just that yesterday but I managed to catch them! You know who you are! And dear Jo helped me with the labels this morning. Fliss was a star helping with the shop as was BM Sam who also helped move some stock out from under the bunks and into the lower mess for easier access. And…yesterday I got to meet Nikki, Fliss’ mum. She was lovely and was also really helpful with the shop.
Uh oh I’m in trouble again (and not for the first time!) because cookie Graham just peered into my cabin to see what I am up to and said, "Oh now I know where all the galley mugs have gone!" Whoops! Graham also said to write a big thank you to the Cornwall Branch who donated the mugs – they are great.
Well, any fellow Medical Purser will know that us Pursers are indeed the linen fairies…so it’s back into the pile of laundry for me now because I know my place! But I might just have a tiny little look at the squaddies who are on board today going up the rigging on my way through to the linen room.
Oh and not forgetting of course a great big thanks to Mo, BM, from me as she has been a great help with the laundry since she boarded the ship the night before last.
Bye for now, Marilyn MP