When we arrived in Bristol Paul (our first mate) warned us that sailors and boats rot in port, and oh how I rotted!! As Bristol is my home town I was initially excited to be there and really enjoyed approaching the city from under the suspension bridge and seeing everyones first reactions to Bristol. But I soon realized how hard it was to be home but not really home, I usually live a pretty nocturnal lifestyle, for example, and so being confined to an 11 o clock curfew whilst being docked in the center of the city was real weird. 

I also felt like I had gone backwards as It had only been over 1 week ago that I had psyched myself to leave my family and friends for 4 and a half months and now I was suddenly back home but trapped on a  ‘freedom schooner’ feeling the most imprisoned I had ever felt in my life!! As frustrating as it was at the time it got me thinking to how lucky I am to have led a life when I can pretty much do what I want (not in a spoilt brat kinda way) but in that today I think it is too easy to take our freedom for granted and how I can’t begin to imagine what it must have felt like to be totally enslaved.

My time in Bristol also highlighted to me the ironies of shipboard life Vs the ethos of the Amistad mission, as for a ship to work, a hierarchy is needed and everyone needs to be disciplined and obey orders. When I think about it, it is a sometimes feels like a funny environment to be learning about human rights, equality and free speech!

I was relieved that our stay in Bristol wasn’t too long and was ready to get away from the distractions of my normal life and back into the rhythm of life as a sailor. The last couple of days have been really great. I went fully aloft yesterday whilst we were sailing! It was fine getting up to the top of the ladder but difficult to get onto the crosstrees. You have to find footholds in werid positions and grab onto what you can to hoist yourself up, I kept getting on the wrong side of my harness. Ella, who is on my watch, was with me, thank god! She was so patient whilst Dom sat straddling the main mast cursing about getting vasiline on his foot and I was freaking out about where to where to strap on to get further up. Once I sat down in a secure position it was amazing, the view, the wind, and even the rocking of the boat. It was just as hard to get down onto the ladder, but I’m sure with practice and confidence things will get easier. I’m also enjoying getting to grips a bit more to with the way the boat works and the weather is being sooo kind to us (touch wood!). 

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