2-4/11/12 - Lord Nelson

Day 15 2nd Nov
Avast there me hearties how fare yee? We are just approaching the Canaries after a spell of variable weather ranging from rain and force 7 winds to calm and sunny. There has been quite a swell resulting in Sam receiving a bowl of fruit salad and cream in his face! The worst news is that the bar has run out of bitter – Al is struggling. Yesterday we began the "Movember" challenge for all male crew to grow the best moustache by December 1. The girls have promised something something special in return.

The food continues to be great. We had a wonderful Thai curry, not connected to the disappearance of the chaffinches we hope!

Our watch has learnt a great deal about Poland from Agata during the night watches and we have been inspired to buy some traditional Polish hats when we get to the Canaries.

It seems a long time since we departed from Southampton,we were clueless about clewlines and didn’t know how to keep our luff. Now we \have all been aloft, we understand the elementary principles of celestial navigation and are almost all comfortable with setting and handling the sails (well just pulling ropes).
Forward starboard: Ruth, Agata, John, Roger, Wayman, Peter, Al, Sam


Day 16 3rd Nov
We arrived in Las Palma’s with the voyage crew full of excitement with their first landfall since leaving Southampton, so it was hands to harbour station’s and into the dock we came, a quick reverse park by the captain and lines ashore. Gangways down, immigration completed and the voyage crew were off down the quayside at a mighty trot. The PC making steady progress, a bit later, for a nice steak in a Uruguayan restaurant. One or two cerveza’s, a quick hello to 'George’ and his bar and a sedate stagger back to the ship.


Day 17 4th Nov 
The normal hubbub on board seemed somewhat quieter, so the voyage photo should be interesting, especially with the arrival of some random parrot (Neil the BM in a parrot costume??) then the Assisted climbs with all making it aloft. The voyage crew then disappeared for more shore leave but should all be up early tomorrow for the coach trip into the islands interior. Hopefully tomorrow’s blog will be full of their experience on the trip.

Steve Medical Purser