9/01/12 - Lord Nelson

The 9th of the New Year sees us in sunshine, shorts and shades on the decks of Lord Nelson in Santa Catalina, Gran Canaria.

We have a happy team of maintainers who are chipping, varnishing, painting and sewing away already this morning. Derek the cook, assisted by Bill, the stand in Cooks assistant, served an amazing five item cooked breakfast to those that wanted it. There are still some of us struggling to hold onto those new year resolutions…..we looked on with jealous eyes……

Captain John is heading our working team, appearing from engine room to the yards, all in a day !

Barry the mate is swinging in the rigging daily, re rigging parts of it…. Marcin,2nd mate, is varnishing the bridge and monopolising the chart room…….Marco, Ch Eng, has waved Chipps off today, and has a new assistant, Alan, who is settling in well. Richard the bosun has charge of a bevy of beautiful BMs, who are repairing sails, chipping paint etc……….along with the marvellous volunteers. They really do make a difference, and we would be struggling without them, and their cheer and stamina.

So, we have five more willing helpers arriving today, and that means that we will be really ready to welcome voyage 802 onboard next Monday - bring your sunscreen and hats !

I must get back to Betty, my resident seamstress and jazz singer, in the bar ! She is repairing linen, and providing music while we work.

All for now, Jane, Med P