Magic tea towel continues play

We all knew that today was going to be different! For a start, the quarter to, was at half past!
That threw us all! My usually neatly timed departure from my port side, aftermost cabin, via the team motivator in the upper mess, allows me to arrive at the bridge, hot cup of tea in hand, in time for the quarter to 9 morning meeting.
What is wrong? has the captain wet the bed, something more serious going on? Todays meeting was at half past 8! And so it was to continue. Ships routine has been thrown assunder and what will be next. Yes! you are right. Lunch not at 1230 but 1215. Has someone played with our clocks. Lunch was called and the bosun and his team were still involved in the upper rigging, doing a touch of extreme sewing ( another story). A job that would be completed by 1230.. Good glad we got that off our chests. Today was just different. Let it be said.
The sun was shining beautifully and we were bobbing at anchor off of a beach near to Santa Cruz De Tenerife. All the guests were ashore frolicing in the sea and local bars and the team was hard at work on board. The small moanings of an institutionalized crew are funny..I have to admit that a routine is very important but.....
It makes me think about how amazing this is!
Normal, nearly daily occurances....
Dolphins or whales swimming and playing near to the ship
Beautiful star spangled skies clear of light polution and clouds
sailing beneath stories of white canvas
Sunshine and warmth
The deep blue colour of the sea
sparkling phospherescence (spelling?) at night
Anyway we are all lucky.. After the general routine problems of the first pat of the day things improved.
Forgot to mention my after lunch nap in the warm sun on the deck.
later Chris and I ran ashore in the dinghy to collect the guests, half an hour before we were meant to, so that we can fit in a cheeky swim or a cold beer, or even both!
Then after they were all back, cocktails on the aft deck, (silly hats must be worn by the crew, photos to follow) A roast pork dinner, eaten alfresco and retired to the bar. Even later, still in the bar, musical instruments appear from all angles some story telling, songs, poetry and more songs eagerly and heartily sang, out of tune of course . At 2300 the ships bar is supposed to close! A tea towell was summond from the gally, draped nicely over the clock in the bar meant that a late night licence had been obtained and we continued late into the night.
My 6am alarm was answered slowly and I found myself on the bridge. Anchor home and secure 0645, steer course 0900. STFL, (set the fucking lot) sails that is and the sun rose perfectly in the East. The wind gently filled from the North and mount Tiedi on Tenerife, snow capped and glowing pink with the rising sun was behind. A cup of tea braught to me kindly and the morning meeting commenced at 0845. Now thats better!

Dr Phardpounder and green tea with strange side effects?

People, I find come in two types. People that like hot sauce and people like me, that are not bothered. Don´t get me wrong I like spicey food but I just don´t ever feel the need to put hot sauce on my mash, scrambled egg, or any other kind of food.

On these ships ther is a strange inbalance in the numbers. There are more here that like hot sauce on everything than the other way.

On Tenacious which is sailing in the Caribbean, they have a sauce made by Suzie. Allegedly, miss Suzy has to sleep with her hands in a bucket of water after making a batch.
Phew sounds hot to me. So being our sister ship, when a crew member does a stint on the other ship they bring in a stock of suzys hot sauce, for their friends to suffer here on Lord Nelson.

Until that is, they have found a new local supplier here in the Canaries. Dr Phardpounders, Colon cleaner!!!! I shudder to think....! I´m sticking to my healthy green tea. Its made by a company called `Horniman´ Not aware of any side effects?

What have Zebras got to do with it?

At last I write to you both again. No pictures though. Dont think that this will be possible until I return home. Be assured that I am taking some that will be posted in retrospect.
I will add, at this early stage that I have not seen any Zebras! or blokes called Duncan thankfully.... They do continue to bother me a bit..not the Zebras
The leave period came to a crashing end with some great nights out with friends, some very distraught moments with British, public transport and in particular, the last train from Brighton! The thing keeps leaving before I am good and ready and in the most recent case made me so angry that I walked 12 miles home.. That is another storey and one that does not include Zebras either.
The lord Nelson is about the same as it was before I left. I have, I think, located all hiding places and special doors and hatches that lead to small, oddly named spaces.
The weather has been interesting, with some very strong winds and exciting sailing. The reference to Zebras is a quote from the mate, who on seeing the concentric black and white circles of the latest depression, that was about to hit us, said " We are in for it now! it looks like a zebras arse hole"