09/12/12 - Lord Nelson

Day 52 9th Dec Arrival in Rio..

Southampton to Rio – tick.

We had a Scottish west coast welcome to Rio from the weather this morning – fog & a little drizzle – so we still haven’t seen the Cristos Redemptor Statue. We don’t believe it exists. It’s an elaborate Photoshop plot.

We are currently berthed alongside Brazilian Navy submarines, which give a pretty big contrast from a tall-ship. Apparently we get to move berth from the island in the harbour, a four-mile bridge away from the city, to the Rio part of Rio tomorrow, or possibly the next day.

The embarked marines, Al & Luke were the first men ashore, warmly greeted by Alex, a UK Paralympics sailing medallist and representatives of the Brazilian Navy, as well as some media. We all looked very matching and colour-coordinated in our blue STW polo-shirts for arrival today. Saved us from deciding what to wear.

As the first Sail the World BMs, we feel a few people should be mentioned…

- The engineers, Jenny & Chipp’s, for fixing all the various objects that rebelled throughout the trip.

- - John & Taff, our volunteer engineers, for services to air-conditioning, in less than luxurious (read, pretty hot & cramped) conditions, making a great start on the system, with bits up and running. Credit to them for reaching the parts of the Ship that others don’t reach.

- - Sally, who became the voluntary Garbage Disposal Manager, clearly she has found her true calling in life – but she has saved us BMs hours by dealing with the rubbish all the way across.

- Margaret, the amazing Cook’s Assistant – for being unflappable and constantly cheerful. How she does it we don’t know, but she’s great.

- Agata – for perfecting her special dance (Neil knows about this one, I have no idea what he’s on about)

- James – for devoted Stoke City knowledge and fan-ship.

Anyway, that’s probably enough special mentions; we could go on for ever… Neil’s getting a bit carried away with it all.

Neil himself has notched up many probable firsts on this trip. We believe him to be;

- The first man ashore in Brazil, having been last man off the shore in Southampton

- - the first BM to take lines wearing a kilt

- - The first BM to attend a drill dressed as a parrot. (pirates like parrots)

In other of Neil’s achievements this trip, he has created a litter of kittens – our new rat-guards are all shaped and painted like cats (well, one’s a pig. Why not?). Rats don’t like cats, ergo combination guard and scarecrow. Brilliant.

Tips & Advice for future Sail The World BMs

- Bring fancy-dress

- - bring popcorn for films

- - Brazilian Navy get scared when it gets dark

- - pirates like parrots

- - beer doesn’t last forever

- - small simians become annoying on long passages

- - adopting a starfish-pose on deck is no way to hide from Lesley (thanks to an anonymous Marine for researching that…)

- - sunscreen is unnecessary (well, I haven’t used any, and I’ve not been burnt)

- - Jon the Mate should not be allowed inflatable lifejackets, or bras. Maybe this point negates the prior one, as sunscreen would have been a good thing, given that he is still sporting an imprint from the Crossing the Line ceremony.

- - Aloft is still the best place to hang out.

- - Cookie Dave can fly (see photographic proof on Facebook, he was recognised by a local guy from Rio, so he’s gone viral internationally already).

- - ordering Irn Bru in Brazil is unlikely to result in any Irn Bru. Still, it was a much-appreciated gesture, cheers Dave.

We seem to be all out of profound insights, at least ones we can share with the world at large.



So, in summary it’s been a great trip, and we’re both really pleased and grateful to have had the chance to be here. It’s been great, and we’ve had an amazing time. Thanks to all the Permanent Crew and Voyage Crew, it’s been fun, and thanks to Jilly for putting us on as BMs in the first place. As you can see, we take it all very seriously…



Your lovely arrived-in-Rio BMs, Neil & Kirsten

Xx