Inspiration

Well guys another voyage complete and once again the reasons for enjoying this job come straight back. Often I wonder what I am doing on this particular ship, working as the bosun not the captain for a bit less money that I should be earning.


Some days there are such wonderful moments that would make the hardest souls nearly cry with joy.
Navigating the rigging is as I have described before is a tricky business. last week, I scaled the mast with a man who is totally blind, a woman of 72 and a guy who has no real use of his legs.
The mast climbing is just a small part of it.

Getting everyone together and setting the sails for the first time is fantastic. 40 people pulling and heaving and letting ropes go, to unfold a cloud of sail and feeling our ship take off under the power of the wind is amazing even for me. Once the hard work is done people just sit and gaze skywards for hours.

There is always a job for everyone regardless of physical ability and we have to go at the pace of the slowest. Is that the Bosun I wonder.. Inspired of Brighton.

Spur- lash

There are all sorts of knotts to learn on board a square rig sailing ship. The `spur lash´ is more common that it should be and requires a tricky technique. Once tied, normally someone shouts, `nice spur lash!´or `Captain, I think that the Bosun tied that with a spur lash´





SPUR LASH is the noise that an item (usually of irreplaceable value or rarety) makes, when disappearing over the side. Not just Splash...but a resounding, Spur-lash. Always caused by substandard knot tying...

Please slam door quietly

Hello friends,

It is difficult to get on line a) when so so busy and b) when most of the time out at sea. Most of you still think that I am out here swaning about but it has been very hard work!

There are continuous sources of amuzement about the good ship `Lord Nelson´cheering us all up to no end. I am still finding that my box labelled, ` a safe place´ is both useful and makes me smile just to look at. Something I forgot last time, was the sign on the door to the crew accommodation that reads, `please slam door quietly´

Was I really home?

Well home leave went fast and I had a good time. I did however feel very sad at having to leave for work. It seemedto come very fast and I really wanted to see more of my friends..

So back on the Lord Nelson! It is as always, hard work. Today had me once again up in the rgging. Twice actualy, both times wearing big boots and big knife and small multi tool (incase I need to open a bottle of wine or pick my teeth) first time to assist with the up and over for the new voyage crew. A highly anticipated part of the basic crew training on board where people are encouraged to climb to the first platform and back down to the deck. Next, I had a large Christmas tree strapped to my back! just to make the climb that bit more exciting and I took it to the very top and amazingly tied it with a propper sailor knot. lets hope it stays there over the coming voyage..

Fancy beers and hermits with team spirit

Back at home now, which is a rare treat. Enjoying the comforts of living in my small flat in Burgess Hill.

home life soon springs into action and the diary is looking nice and full.

Last night my good friend Dai, collected me from home and we got into drinking some very fancy beers. After eating only a peanut butter sandwhich my first 'Golden Glory' went down well and we went out for more supplies. Having to double bag our booty we headed back home to relax into tasting the rest of the party selection. Now accompanied by Kath, a skillfully made fajita dinner
was produced and we watched as Dais' Hermit crabs worked together in a spectacular show of team spirit to get the food that dai had put just out of reach in his, tropical marine tank. Sad aren't we?

180 grit sand paper and going home trousers

Today was my last day at the 'Lord Nelson for a few weeks. The sun was rising on yet another clear Canaries day when I peered from my port hole.

I made my way from my cabin accross the corridor to the crew heads for my morning constitution.

This particualr morning I was afforded a little extra time in bed. My taxi was coming at 1000, so all I needed to do was, clean out my cabin, see the captain to sign off, Have a cup of tea and leave.

This had not gone un-noticed by my happily working collegues.
So in the heads (toilet), it was business as usual. However, on completing, said task. I reach for the familiar feel of soft, white toilet paper, to find in its place a roll 180 grit sand paper!

Laugh... Only after I uncomfortably went to next toilet to liberate the real McCoy

Back in my cabin I find a fresh pair of clean trousers ( going home trousers) enjoyed a laugh with my new friends on deck and left for home..