27/06/15 LN871

After yesterday’s rain and cold, damp hands aloft training, we woke to a dry and almost sunny morning in Kintyre. Breakfast on the deck was a bracing start to the day, especially for those who had enjoyed the delights of Campbelltown late into the night… Soon after breakfast, we prepared to set off, with the aim of reaching Loch Tarbart this evening where Captain Richard plans to drop anchor overnight. Anyway, no peace for the wicked – or the crew of Nellie. After smoko (chocolate brownies!! Thanks, Dave) we had a session on bracing the yards and immediately put theory into practice. Then it was a very Happy Half Hour under the direction of Daz for those of us working ‘down below’… in 30 fast minutes, the brass was gleaming, the heads smelt beautiful and every speck of dust was history.

It was early sitting for lunch for our watch as we’re on duty this afternoon… Lucky us: we’re gently making our way towards the islands of Islay and Jura under a warm Scottish sun. Afternoon watches are supposed to be comparatively quiet, but ours is a hive of activity. Izzi and Lucy have been helping the engineers do something unmentionable, Mike is being allowed by Fiona (duty officer) to fiddle around with the sails, we’ve had a knot tying lesson, and we’re taking it turns not to steer the ship too far off course…