TNS454 15/11/15

Today we arrived in Leixoes under warm sunshine, with a pod of common dolphins dancing in our bow wave. There have been lots of unusual sightings on board today; aside from many other dolphins, a number of fledgling beards have been found developing in the region of the starboard fo’c’stle.

Unfortunately, one of the more well-developed beards fell before the razor due to the threat of hilarious tan lines at the end of the voyage. Later, the Forward Starboard watch will be holding a minute’s silence in memory of Neil’s beard. It will be missed. In brighter news, the plentiful sunshine has drawn out a lot of winter white knees – it seems the knobbly knees competition begins in earnest. Shorts of varying lengths have been observed from short shorts to the mid-calf cockle-picker.Today also saw a fine display of bums leaning over the yards, as most of the crew was up the mast handing the sails and securing them in harbour stow under the guidance of our wonderful BMs. This evening, the forecast is good. Hotly anticipated shore leave will let the crew loose upon unsuspecting Portugal, where the hunt for a Nandos is expected to reach fever pitch. Here’s hoping there’s not too many sore heads in the morning…