The entire ship's company were told to report to the foremast to be given notice that a murder hunt was about to commence. Each person had to take a piece of paper detailing the place of the murder and the implement to be used. Then each one of us had to take a name out of the hat. Working out how you were going to trap your victim whilst holding the murder weapon and being in the right place with a witness to hand was not easy for some of the crew. Capt Simon bit the dust early on and by lunchtime today so many people were dead it should be easier for those still alive. It was easy for me to murder Mo the Bosun's Mate. As she entered the shower in the Port Fo'c's'le all I had to do was hit her with a bar of chocolate which I then gave her to eat! Scheming and espionage are the order of the day and it seems you can't trust anyone. However, we were allowed an amnesty whilst we put up the Christmas decorations. The lower mess is now resplendent in its Christmas rig & some of the bunks are looking Christmasy.
We are still heading West under engine but with a number of staysails hoisted to reduce the rolling.
P.S. Another murder has just taken place in the foredeck house heads judging by the whoop from there!!
Rosemary Aft Starboard & Ted, Sam, Sara, Stan, Claire, Leigh, Kevan & Gary