Well here I am on the boat, woop woop! Impressions so far are good. Before I came on this trip people were like, ‘gosh your going to be eating sea biscuits for 4 and a half months!’ so I was originally worried that the food would be pretty dry and rationed, but boy was I wrong!! Danny (the cook) is my new hero! Not only is every dinner huge and delicous but full of exotic things that are real luxuries for me, for instance breakfast this morning was German pancakes, strawberries, mangos and passion fruit with fresh orange juice and innocent smoothies! 

They also have a great selection of tea and anyone who knows me knows how important tea and food are to me, so right now all is hunky dory! I was initially a bit gutted that I didn’t get a bunk in the Salon, which is newly fitted so the bunks have lots of storage. But my bunk which is in the Fos’cle (at the very front of the boat) is actually real cosy even though most of my stuff is at the end of my bed, it also smells pretty bad but we’ve all stocked up on febreeze so all’s good! On the first day I got on the boat (sat 24th) we were open to the public so we were helping out with the tours and I told the Amistad story to groups as they came on, which was hard at first as there is so much to remember and say in a short time, but after a few wobbles I felt much more confident. Once we had left Liverpool there was a problem with hoisting the foresail, this apparent problem was the British flag which as a result got cut into 3 pieces by the first mate. Although I have never slightly felt nationalistic before I was not too amused being handed a ripped flag and told to go decorate my bunk by a load of Americans! Especially after I have been respectfully folding up their flag in some weird way! Being the only Brit on the boat I need to make sure I don’t start calling tomatoes, to-mart-oes or data darta and such like!! Lesandra constant use of the word bugging (meaning crazy) is already starting to rub off, but I’m determined not to be turned into a complete yank! (although they are all lovely!)

I’m really enjoying the actual sailing so far too. I’ve been avoiding taking sea sickness patches or tablets as I kinda wanted to give my body a chance to naturally adjust, and I haven’t felt bad, although yesterday I had to suddenly be physically sick over the side of the boat 3 times but after that I felt fine. This morning at 5.30 we were all woken up to do an emergency evacuation drill which was jokes as we had to get in these big red survival suits as quick as you can which turn you into Mr Softy (for all those Brits who remember that old soft mint advert!). I also climbed ‘aloft’, which you have to do with no harness on until you reach the top of the rigging, so you really have to trust yourself and more importantly your hands. As the ladder gets further up the rattlings (place to put your foot ) get smaller and smaller. I got up to 4 rungs away from the top but then felt I had to get down as the space for your foot was soooo small your had to twist your foot onto the side and I just didn’t feel secure, my knees were also knocking! It was kinda annoying that I got so close to doing the whole thing but I guess there is no rush and I didn’t want to really stress myself out. All the crew are really sound and are good teachers. At the moment we have all sails up apart from the topsails, the boat is beautiful and so is the view of Wales as were passing by. I’m off to get a few hours kip before dinner and I’m back on watch at 7. Hopefully see some of you in Bristol and I’ll still be in such good spirits!
 

Comments (0)