27/12/11 - Lord Nelson

As Boxing Day breakfast passed, plans were made to coordinate the ships'
departures. Both Tenacious and Lord Nelson were due to sail. First there was
a fair amount of clearing and preparation to do, including shipping off the
refuse and making sure that all crew had returned safely from the shore
leave that some took full advantage of. Then there was a joint "show and
tell" of souvenirs "acquired" from the other vessels including a rigging
model from Tenacious and the bottle opener from Lord Nelson's bar. (How was
that not missed?!). Then there were crew and watch photographs to take as
Chief Phil took on yet another job as photographer in chief. He had no
trouble raising a smile from us all as he knocked the tripod having set the
timer going.

Assisted climbs gave a chance for all to experience the views from the
course yard platform. Joel's grin could be seen from miles as he was
strapped in and his chair was hoisted high into the rigging.

Then it was lines, warps, fenders, chafing gear, line runners, boat crew,
springs, capstans and pilots to standby as we cleared the dock at Santa Cruz
for sea. The German training ship was under sail just a couple of miles
ahead as Tenacious set sail and Lord Nelson met the Atlantic swell again.
Didn't she roll in the swell!The crashing pots in the galley were far louder
than the engine noise. Finally the fore-and-aft sails were able to settle
her and miles began to roll out astern. The light wind meant that
motor-sailing was needed as lunch passed. All took advantage of the wide
ranging buffet. Don't you just love that time just after Christmas?

At last it was warm and sunny and shorts featured around the deck. Some
snoozed- perhaps catching up after some enthusiastic celebrating. Before too
long Happy Hour featured, having been postponed from the morning, then
evening watches, more mealsand a coupphins passed close by the ship.

It was a fabulous evening as the mountainous islands caught the evening
sunlight and lighthouses began their vigil. The stars seemed brighter than
ever and venus followed the first sliver of new moon across the sky.

During the night we passed through a wind acceleration zone where the wind
funnels between the high mountian peaks. Within minutes the wind and waves
increased and a number of the crew experienced weightlessness in their bunks
as the bows heaved over another heavy sea.

Dawn found the ship passing south about Gran Canaria and the sails had to be
handed as the wind came ahead. A novelty was the number of ships and small
boats spotted, a feature missing from so much of the trip. A few flying fish
skipped waves close to the boat. Once again meals, watches and happy hour
marked the rapidly passing time. With the destination in sight some sorting
and packing was started before it was time for lines, fenders, warps, etc.
all over again.

Captain Neil did the end of voyage meeting and accepted the crew's thanks
for the efforts of his excellent team and himself in making the voyage such
a success. Some 941 miles, mostly under sail, some hard work and some good
times. Above all some great friendships have been forged in helping each
other to achieve just that little bit more. We're thrilled to have taken
part in Neil's last trip in the role of Captain for an organisation he
represents so well and speaks of so passionately. As one, the crew have
pledged to complete a swiftly two-fifty £250-00 donation to help another
person benefit as we have.

Good sailing!

Peter- Forward watch port.