On 4-8 watch we saw one dolphin and one fishing net buoy. Had a philosophical discussion withThomas about green issues, energy, recycling, fishing etc. Our views are very similar.
We cleaned the bridge again. Had a lecture on lights and shapes.
At the morning brief, captain said we would probably motor for 48 hours to get near the westerly winds (we are heading NE). At the moment we are in the centre of a high, however, 10 minutes later the winds picked up and we spent the next hour setting sail and squaring yards. Nice sunny day but a cool breeze.
Lunch was chicken and pasta soup then a sort of spaghetti with tomato sauce and sausage.
We are having a knot-tying competition at 4 so we spent an hour practising knots. We came 2nd - I got a single sheet bend to do and got it right first time.
In the boat race we had spaceship and female astonaut (with helmet). Thomas was our first person and he came easy first. Stewart was our second and came 2nd! We are streets ahead just now.
Took the sails down at 6pm - now on engines. Dinner was roast beef and yorkshire pud, roast spuds, cabbage and carrots. afters, melon, pineapple and ice cream.
Tuesday, 25 October 2016
Saturday 23 March 2002
Took first lookout port side, it was quite dark and the phosphorous was glinting in the water. A ship appeared off our port front quarter about 7 miles away. Two dolphins leapt out of the water on our starboard side. Got quite cold.
Helped to overhaul the fore course and buntlins and slightly square the fore t'gallants and royals. After happy hour we had a tacky souvenir competition (1st Red, 2nd White, 3rd Blue, last Volunteer crew) then a video on the life boats and life rafts. In the middle we were visited by a US navy helicopter. In radio contact the pilot said they were part of a US navy fleet bound for the Med and they may "come to have a look" at us!!
They asked what we were doing and we replied "having a BBQ, want to join us?"
Lunch was veg soup, cold meat and salad. On 4-8 watch we took in all square sails as we were only doing 2 nots. Now we are on engines doing 7 nots. Sailing north to, hopefully, pick up the westerlies of a depression.
Supper was lamb (?) chunks braised, saffron rice and spinach, water melon, angel delight and cream. After dinner we did spaghetti run to tidy up all the ropes.
Helped to overhaul the fore course and buntlins and slightly square the fore t'gallants and royals. After happy hour we had a tacky souvenir competition (1st Red, 2nd White, 3rd Blue, last Volunteer crew) then a video on the life boats and life rafts. In the middle we were visited by a US navy helicopter. In radio contact the pilot said they were part of a US navy fleet bound for the Med and they may "come to have a look" at us!!
They asked what we were doing and we replied "having a BBQ, want to join us?"
Lunch was veg soup, cold meat and salad. On 4-8 watch we took in all square sails as we were only doing 2 nots. Now we are on engines doing 7 nots. Sailing north to, hopefully, pick up the westerlies of a depression.
Supper was lamb (?) chunks braised, saffron rice and spinach, water melon, angel delight and cream. After dinner we did spaghetti run to tidy up all the ropes.
Friday 22 March 2002
Didn't have to get up for early watch - bliss!! Got up at 7.15. We have changed watches now and we are on the 4-8 stint. Wind strengthening.
As we left Bermuds it started to rain. We managed to get the sails hoisted and set before the rain really came down, very choppy seas. Got soaked stowing all the ropes. Even before all sails set we were doing 9 nots. Captain has just announced that we might be rolling a bit but we are doing 13.5 nots. It is now 11:45am. We ae on second sitting for lunch, which I'm told is macaroni cheese on toast. The soup was muligatawny and was served in cups because the ship is tossing about a lot.
Before we set sail Joe, the 3rd officer, went ashore to take his moped back and he retrieved Paul's baseball cap from the Caffe Latte internet cafe.
Wish I had been able to phone home or touch base somehow yesterday. I miss Al and my girls. Dinner was shepherd's pie, peas and sweetcorn with roasted sweet potatoes (not very nice). Pudding was tinned fruit in a pie and custard, fair to OK!
Came off watch at 8pm, had a shower and washed my hair (also undies and zip trousers), went to bed and read for a while. Light out at 9.30pm. Woke several times during the night. Up at 3.30am to go on watch.
As we left Bermuds it started to rain. We managed to get the sails hoisted and set before the rain really came down, very choppy seas. Got soaked stowing all the ropes. Even before all sails set we were doing 9 nots. Captain has just announced that we might be rolling a bit but we are doing 13.5 nots. It is now 11:45am. We ae on second sitting for lunch, which I'm told is macaroni cheese on toast. The soup was muligatawny and was served in cups because the ship is tossing about a lot.
Before we set sail Joe, the 3rd officer, went ashore to take his moped back and he retrieved Paul's baseball cap from the Caffe Latte internet cafe.
Wish I had been able to phone home or touch base somehow yesterday. I miss Al and my girls. Dinner was shepherd's pie, peas and sweetcorn with roasted sweet potatoes (not very nice). Pudding was tinned fruit in a pie and custard, fair to OK!
Came off watch at 8pm, had a shower and washed my hair (also undies and zip trousers), went to bed and read for a while. Light out at 9.30pm. Woke several times during the night. Up at 3.30am to go on watch.
Thursday 21 March 2002
BERMUDA!
Got up- at 3.40 to do 2 hours on harbour watch. Couldn't wake Bob - had to send the other Anita down. Went to wake Stewart but he was unconscious!! 5 of us couldn't wake him! Stayed up at the end of harbour watch because I am on Bosun's duties. We hosed and scrubbed the decks then got stood down so I went on shore with Sally and Paul. I tried unsuccessfully to send some emails. Then we bought tickets and went on the bus to Hamilton. Had a lovely pizza and 1/2 bottle of chardonay for lunch. Caught ferry to HM Dockyard and went round the maritime museum. Ferry took 90 minutes as it called in at all the villages! Museum was fascinating, though the captive dolphins were not! Caught buses back to St George. Went to see if Paul's hat was in the cafe but no luck - closed!
Went out with Paul and Russ for fish and chips!! Went to bed around 10pm then up at 1.25 with upset tum!
Blue watch has been augmented by Thomas, a German chap who is hitching a lift to the Azores. He was waiting for a yacht which has got into difficulty with a broken prop and a torn sail, so he asked if he could join us. His English is very good and he is a very willing worker. He has the bunk next to mine.
Got up- at 3.40 to do 2 hours on harbour watch. Couldn't wake Bob - had to send the other Anita down. Went to wake Stewart but he was unconscious!! 5 of us couldn't wake him! Stayed up at the end of harbour watch because I am on Bosun's duties. We hosed and scrubbed the decks then got stood down so I went on shore with Sally and Paul. I tried unsuccessfully to send some emails. Then we bought tickets and went on the bus to Hamilton. Had a lovely pizza and 1/2 bottle of chardonay for lunch. Caught ferry to HM Dockyard and went round the maritime museum. Ferry took 90 minutes as it called in at all the villages! Museum was fascinating, though the captive dolphins were not! Caught buses back to St George. Went to see if Paul's hat was in the cafe but no luck - closed!
Went out with Paul and Russ for fish and chips!! Went to bed around 10pm then up at 1.25 with upset tum!
Blue watch has been augmented by Thomas, a German chap who is hitching a lift to the Azores. He was waiting for a yacht which has got into difficulty with a broken prop and a torn sail, so he asked if he could join us. His English is very good and he is a very willing worker. He has the bunk next to mine.
Wednesday 20 March 2002
BERMUDA!!
Had a bad night, couldn't get to sleep till after 2am. Got up at 5.45am, on watch at 8am. I took the helm on 000degrees, wind NNE force 8, swells about 15-20ft. I had to be clipped on to the port rail to prevent me slipping. Quite cool though fairly sunny. Looking forward towards the bowsprit, one moment it was aimed at the sky, the next you thought it would go straight to the bottom, the angle was so steep, then it would rise up on the swell and start again. At 8.30 I went on starb'd lookout and saw a family of Atlantic Spotted dolphins with babies. At least 6+ in the group. Babies could not quite jump out of the water but belly flopped back into the waves. Fantastic. Lunch was spicy beef soup and beans, cold meat and salad, water melon.
Next stop Bermuda for 2 nights. Could not do our washing as it is too rough. All except waist and bridge out of bounds.
8.52pm - we did a dog watch today in order to shift the watch timings around, so now blue watch are on the 4-9 stint. At 4pm we braced the yards and I had an altercation with Chaz the Red WL for allegedly messing up the fore t'gallant. Actually it was Elizabeth the medic who came to "help" me. I spoke to Chaz because she was slagging me off to her watch. She apologised but said she was giving everyone a bollacking not me in particular (which was patently not true).
Dinner was roast chicken, potatoes, cauli and courgettes followed by toffee ice cream and mango.
I have volunteered to do the 4-6am harbour watch so I should see the sun rise. I am also on Bosun's duties tomorrow.
Everyone has gone on shore leave except Sally and myself.
Had a bad night, couldn't get to sleep till after 2am. Got up at 5.45am, on watch at 8am. I took the helm on 000degrees, wind NNE force 8, swells about 15-20ft. I had to be clipped on to the port rail to prevent me slipping. Quite cool though fairly sunny. Looking forward towards the bowsprit, one moment it was aimed at the sky, the next you thought it would go straight to the bottom, the angle was so steep, then it would rise up on the swell and start again. At 8.30 I went on starb'd lookout and saw a family of Atlantic Spotted dolphins with babies. At least 6+ in the group. Babies could not quite jump out of the water but belly flopped back into the waves. Fantastic. Lunch was spicy beef soup and beans, cold meat and salad, water melon.
Next stop Bermuda for 2 nights. Could not do our washing as it is too rough. All except waist and bridge out of bounds.
8.52pm - we did a dog watch today in order to shift the watch timings around, so now blue watch are on the 4-9 stint. At 4pm we braced the yards and I had an altercation with Chaz the Red WL for allegedly messing up the fore t'gallant. Actually it was Elizabeth the medic who came to "help" me. I spoke to Chaz because she was slagging me off to her watch. She apologised but said she was giving everyone a bollacking not me in particular (which was patently not true).
Dinner was roast chicken, potatoes, cauli and courgettes followed by toffee ice cream and mango.
I have volunteered to do the 4-6am harbour watch so I should see the sun rise. I am also on Bosun's duties tomorrow.
Everyone has gone on shore leave except Sally and myself.
Tuesday 19 March 2002
I woke early to grey sky and rising seas. The sun cleared the cloud by 9.30 and on watch I saw hundreds of tiny rainbows as the wind whipped the tops off the waves and as the sun caught the spray it turned into rainbows. Pancakes at breakfast.
Baby Bosun Jane took us off to scrub the decks, then back on watch. Speed reached 10.2 nots, course now 010 degrees.
Lunch was minestrone soup, jacket potatoes, cheese, beans and tuna. Dinner was spicy pork chops, linguini pasta, carrots and green beans. Chocolate sponge and chocolate sauce.
At 1600 we took in the royals and the main t'gallant. Later we took in the fore t'gallant.
In the boat race we came 1st and 2nd! Volunteer crew had a fantastic sail and out-riggers plus lights!! Red had a huge Dalek, we had a razor, tooth brush and tooth paste!!
Baby Bosun Jane took us off to scrub the decks, then back on watch. Speed reached 10.2 nots, course now 010 degrees.
Lunch was minestrone soup, jacket potatoes, cheese, beans and tuna. Dinner was spicy pork chops, linguini pasta, carrots and green beans. Chocolate sponge and chocolate sauce.
At 1600 we took in the royals and the main t'gallant. Later we took in the fore t'gallant.
In the boat race we came 1st and 2nd! Volunteer crew had a fantastic sail and out-riggers plus lights!! Red had a huge Dalek, we had a razor, tooth brush and tooth paste!!
Monday 18 March 2002
I'm on galley duties today so I got up at 6am. On duty by 6.30. As well as setting and clearning tables and serving food, it was CO's inspection and we cleaned the galley walls, tops, fridge etc. I scrubbed the floor as well. Then I made the salad, served lunch (Scotch broth, pizza and salad). I did washing up and boy were the pizza dishes hard! Got stood down at 1400 - 16:30.
In the morning we watched a film on cold water survival and Jon Buoys. You should always keep a hypothermic person laying down with their legs elevated to prevent collapse due to blood rushing back into the legs and depriving essential organs of oxygen/blood.
We had rock cakes for afternoon tea! Supper was chilli with rice, peas and sweet corn, pistachio ice cream and mango and pineapple.
Had a shower and washed my hair, can of coke and bed by 8.30pm to read - bliss!
Ship swaying a lot. Braced yards to starboard at 7pm ready to set sails as soon as wind veers to westerly.
In the morning we watched a film on cold water survival and Jon Buoys. You should always keep a hypothermic person laying down with their legs elevated to prevent collapse due to blood rushing back into the legs and depriving essential organs of oxygen/blood.
We had rock cakes for afternoon tea! Supper was chilli with rice, peas and sweet corn, pistachio ice cream and mango and pineapple.
Had a shower and washed my hair, can of coke and bed by 8.30pm to read - bliss!
Ship swaying a lot. Braced yards to starboard at 7pm ready to set sails as soon as wind veers to westerly.
Sunday 17 March 2002
Porrige and smoked haddock for breakfast. Went on watch at 8am and at 8.30 the Captain decided we would have to take in all the sails and start the engine so that we can sail in the right direction! I stayed on the helm but everyone else hauled and stowed the sails. At 10:35 we did happy hour. I was on hoover duties in the Wardroom and Chartroom but I also did Blue Watch bunk rooms.
I was told to alter course to due north and we are now doing 9 nots. There's a lot more cloud and the wind is picking up (still from the north) so it is cooler.
Lunch was oxtail soup (worst I've ever tasted) and pasta bake with salad, then melon. Tonight we are having St Patrick's Day celebrations with fancy dress, games, Irish Stew and beer!! My watch is only allowed one beer (or wine) as we go on watch at 8pm. In the end I didn't have any wine as you had to buy a bottle and find people to share with. Dinner was Irish Stew with potatoes and carrots and then a sort of trifle with fruit, chocolate Angel Delight and cream.
I was told to alter course to due north and we are now doing 9 nots. There's a lot more cloud and the wind is picking up (still from the north) so it is cooler.
Lunch was oxtail soup (worst I've ever tasted) and pasta bake with salad, then melon. Tonight we are having St Patrick's Day celebrations with fancy dress, games, Irish Stew and beer!! My watch is only allowed one beer (or wine) as we go on watch at 8pm. In the end I didn't have any wine as you had to buy a bottle and find people to share with. Dinner was Irish Stew with potatoes and carrots and then a sort of trifle with fruit, chocolate Angel Delight and cream.
Saturday 16 March 2002
Got up at 6am. Sat on focs'l drinking tea and chatting to Dia. Breakfast cereal and toast. On morning watch we did "Man Overboard" drill using a red gallon plastic container with a face painted on it. We had to brace the main mast to starboard to make the ship stop, put on the engine, lower the rib and retrieve the "man" and the life ring. Michael is still ill, so with Steward on "Ents" committee, we had only 3 on the bridge again.
Lunch was soup, ham/cheese toasties. Heading 340-350 degrees. Log showed 4.5 nots, 1/8 cloud, slight sea, wind scale 4 Easterly.
We did the boat race again. I came last but because 2 teams were disqualified, I got 2nd place!!
It is Elizabeth's birthday so we had birthday cake.
Dinner was braised steak, mash, carrots and green beans, then fruit sponge and custard.
Quite cool on watch this evening. First sliver of a moon which cast a lovely beam of light on the surface of the sea. Wind is very light and from the north. Only way we can sail is with it on the starb'd beam, so we made 3-4 nots but in the wrong direction!!
Lunch was soup, ham/cheese toasties. Heading 340-350 degrees. Log showed 4.5 nots, 1/8 cloud, slight sea, wind scale 4 Easterly.
We did the boat race again. I came last but because 2 teams were disqualified, I got 2nd place!!
It is Elizabeth's birthday so we had birthday cake.
Dinner was braised steak, mash, carrots and green beans, then fruit sponge and custard.
Quite cool on watch this evening. First sliver of a moon which cast a lovely beam of light on the surface of the sea. Wind is very light and from the north. Only way we can sail is with it on the starb'd beam, so we made 3-4 nots but in the wrong direction!!
Friday 15 March 2002
We have the flying Gib and 2 others, all foresails, 2 staysails and main tops'l, t'gallants and royals set. Wind was light until 11.30am and it was difficult keeping course so that wind filled the sails. Speed rose to 7notts. Lunch -soup then smoked salmon, cheese, salad, cold meat and left-over trifle.
Did some rope/knot work with Russ my WL then had a sleep, shower etc. During early watch there was a whale sighting and 2 dolphins, all unidentified. This afternoon I watched tuna bow-riding the ship. They were about 1m long, silvery pink on underside, dark on top.
At 5pm we started the inter-watch boat race. Blue watch (mine) got a first and a second.
Dinner was dolphin fish, cauliflower, peas and little roasties. Crumble and custard. Now I'm off to pull on some more ropes (6pm).
Beautiful sunset
Did some rope/knot work with Russ my WL then had a sleep, shower etc. During early watch there was a whale sighting and 2 dolphins, all unidentified. This afternoon I watched tuna bow-riding the ship. They were about 1m long, silvery pink on underside, dark on top.
At 5pm we started the inter-watch boat race. Blue watch (mine) got a first and a second.
Dinner was dolphin fish, cauliflower, peas and little roasties. Crumble and custard. Now I'm off to pull on some more ropes (6pm).
Beautiful sunset
Monday, 24 October 2016
Thursday 14 March 2002
Woke at 5.55 and got up just after 6am then went to watch the sun rise. The land (St Barths) was much closer than I thought it was - just about a hundred yards from the ship! The sea is even paler blue than in St Lucia, chrystal clear for about 30m. I saw a shoal of fish about 4" long scatter when a shark-like fish about 4ft long came into their midst.
After "Happy Hour" we all went ashore. I bought, wrote and posted 10 cards. Had a mediocre lunch of chicken tortilla sandwich. I bought some more sun tan lotion as I think I might need it! Returned to the ship at 13:30, did some washing, moved my clothes to a different locker, had a shower and washed & dried my hair.
We are due to set sail for Bermuda immediately after dinner.
Saw some pelicans and a couple of frigate birds.
We had one sitting for dinner which was lasagne and trifle then IMMEDIATELY after dinner we sailed off the anchor which meant having one sail braced to starboard and one to port with sails set, so we had to do a lot of handling and pulling. Once off the anchor and underway we put the engines on for about 1.5 hours to ensure we cleared Antigua.
After "Happy Hour" we all went ashore. I bought, wrote and posted 10 cards. Had a mediocre lunch of chicken tortilla sandwich. I bought some more sun tan lotion as I think I might need it! Returned to the ship at 13:30, did some washing, moved my clothes to a different locker, had a shower and washed & dried my hair.
We are due to set sail for Bermuda immediately after dinner.
Saw some pelicans and a couple of frigate birds.
We had one sitting for dinner which was lasagne and trifle then IMMEDIATELY after dinner we sailed off the anchor which meant having one sail braced to starboard and one to port with sails set, so we had to do a lot of handling and pulling. Once off the anchor and underway we put the engines on for about 1.5 hours to ensure we cleared Antigua.
Wednesday 13 March 2002
Woke at 5.55 then dozed off again. Woke with a start at 7.10 with just enough time for a quick wash and up to breakfast. No queeziness today. Sea slight, sun hot. Went on watch at 8am and spent most of the watch on helm and lookout.
Lunch was carrot and lentil soup, cauliflower cheese, water melon.
Apparently there was a humpback whale and calf spotted about 1/4 to 1/2 a mile off the starboard side at 1300GMT.
There was a squal while we were on watch and there was a fantastic rainbow with the ship seeming to go right into the centre of it.
We anchored off St Barths at about 12.30am (00:30).
Dinner was port steak with carrots and tumeric rice followed by coffee ice cream/fruit salad/rice pud.
Lunch was carrot and lentil soup, cauliflower cheese, water melon.
Apparently there was a humpback whale and calf spotted about 1/4 to 1/2 a mile off the starboard side at 1300GMT.
There was a squal while we were on watch and there was a fantastic rainbow with the ship seeming to go right into the centre of it.
We anchored off St Barths at about 12.30am (00:30).
Dinner was port steak with carrots and tumeric rice followed by coffee ice cream/fruit salad/rice pud.
Tuesday 12 March 2002
I am a Day Worker today, helping the bosun. Woke at 5.45 as I was told I would be called at 6am but I wasn't. Went to first sitting breakfast at 7.20 but felt a little queezy so had small bowl of cereal only. Took a pill. Bosun had us aloft loosing the ties on the main lower and upper topsails, then likewise on 2 bowsails. We also set one staysail. Then it was "Happy Hour" and I went back to my watch to do cleaning. I got lumbered with scrubbing the deck on the bridge so had to lift and shift all the black mats. After Happy Hour the bosun had us scrubbing the boat deck and foredeck. I also cleaned out the drain-aways.
Lunch was chicken and celery soup - I didn't have any main course as I was still a bit queezy. Had another pill. Bosun let us have 1.30-3.30 off for a kip and boy did I need it! We started chipping pain but got called away to a lecture. After dinner (meat pie, boiled spuds, carrots and beans, rice pud) we were told to help in the galley so I did all the washing up (2nd sitting). Then we had a whale lecture. I had a quick shower and change then joined my watch as we are so short-handed. Only 7 of us and 3 are ill - not sure they are as ill as they say, or think they are!! The stars were incredibly bright and clear. We steered 300 degrees and headed towards the straight between Monserat and Antigua. Not a sign of life on the sea.
Lunch was chicken and celery soup - I didn't have any main course as I was still a bit queezy. Had another pill. Bosun let us have 1.30-3.30 off for a kip and boy did I need it! We started chipping pain but got called away to a lecture. After dinner (meat pie, boiled spuds, carrots and beans, rice pud) we were told to help in the galley so I did all the washing up (2nd sitting). Then we had a whale lecture. I had a quick shower and change then joined my watch as we are so short-handed. Only 7 of us and 3 are ill - not sure they are as ill as they say, or think they are!! The stars were incredibly bright and clear. We steered 300 degrees and headed towards the straight between Monserat and Antigua. Not a sign of life on the sea.
Monday 11 March 2002
I was on harbour watch 4-5am. Got up again at 6.10 and had a shower. Breakfast then kit, sign on etc. Lunch quiche and salad, water melon. Did the "Up and over" and left the birth at 3pm. Motored to Rodney Bay where we dropped anchor, put out the boats and had a swim. Took some photos. Dinner was chicken curry with rice and plantain chips. Apple crumble and custard.
We should be on watch 8pm-midnight. Not yet sure if we are setting off towards St Barts under sail or with engines.
We are waiting for "Joe" to arrive. He left his passport behind so missed the flight.
Watched the sun set. Got a bit of a tan because it was sunny and brezy.
We should be on watch 8pm-midnight. Not yet sure if we are setting off towards St Barts under sail or with engines.
We are waiting for "Joe" to arrive. He left his passport behind so missed the flight.
Watched the sun set. Got a bit of a tan because it was sunny and brezy.
Sunday 10 March 2002
Arrived at Gatwick at 0810. Long queues at check-in. Couldn't see anyone I knew nor any Atkins labels. Saw Sally Curry (who was in my watch on my first voyave in the Azores) at gate 33 and by coincidence we sat next to each other on the flight. Was well impressed withVirgin Airways. Arrived in St Lucia at 4.25 local time then had 1.5hour transfer to the ship. The island is much like the Dominican republic.
I am B13 and Sally is W13. We are trying to get on the same watch. Very short-handed with only 7 + Watch Leader in my watch. 6 men and me!! Even the Watch Leader is a man. We have 2 people from a whale and dolphin conservation trust on board. They want us to monitor/photograph any we see. There is also a man on board to do a video for the STA (Sail Training Association).
Captain Barbara said we will set sail around midnight on Monday 11th and anchor off one of the bays. When we set sail for home we will head towards the island of Bermuda in the hope of picking up the Westerlies to take us to the Azores - so no Cape Verde/Cannaries or Madiera!!
Meal on board plane was shepherd's pie, on the ship, spag.bol.
I am B13 and Sally is W13. We are trying to get on the same watch. Very short-handed with only 7 + Watch Leader in my watch. 6 men and me!! Even the Watch Leader is a man. We have 2 people from a whale and dolphin conservation trust on board. They want us to monitor/photograph any we see. There is also a man on board to do a video for the STA (Sail Training Association).
Captain Barbara said we will set sail around midnight on Monday 11th and anchor off one of the bays. When we set sail for home we will head towards the island of Bermuda in the hope of picking up the Westerlies to take us to the Azores - so no Cape Verde/Cannaries or Madiera!!
Meal on board plane was shepherd's pie, on the ship, spag.bol.
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