TNS452 21/09/15

Monday 21^st September myself and Danny made our way through the horizontal rain of Poole to the quay side and the old drinking haunts of yesterday propping up the sqwalking seagulls. Then butterflies in our stomach as the rigging of Tenacious towered up ahead. There she was. We had arrived. We were greeted by Craig a member of our voyage crew who showed us into the forward deckhouse. Over the next ten minutes everyone arrived and it looked like we had a fantastic team of people. A right motley crew! We were shown to our bunks below decks a cosy underworld of wood and functionality. I was sharing mine with Cristelle a pretty French lady and I had the top bunk with my very own port hole into the deep blue. We all met in the lower mess for fire safety and did a drill that was like something of carry on sailing as we hoisted Brian a lovely fellow in a wheel chair up the stairs and learnt why drill are important. We received our watch card and who we would be doing watch with. It was our watch right now and Kieran our watch leader asked if I wanted to take the helm and steer us out of Poole I was a bit nervous as I hadn’t been on a tall ship since 2009, but the rain had cleared leaving a beautiful autumn evening wind in my face and warm sun hitting of the white chalk of the isle of white it was a dream. We motored out leaving the land lovers behind and the sounds of the city a distant music. The pilot on board left us once we were clear and we were on route to our anchorage in Swanage watching the last of the glowing light silhouetting the headland. My second real sea-going voyage and so far smooth with a fair wind and untroubled sea. What a difference a day makes!

Tuesday turned out to be a great day for me as we bucketed and bumped our way across the channel towards Alderney. I was lucky and didn’t suffer the dreaded sea sickness and my heartfelt sympathies went out to those less lucky than me on that pretty rough crossing. However all was smiles again today, Weds, as all the sufferers started eating again.

I had a run ashore and enjoyed the experience of the Doty boat!!

I couldn’t be better helped by so many nice people and praise for you all knows no bounds. I always find that singling anyone out for special comment leaves me with the feeling that I left out so many others – Cheers

Jenny Fwd Port Watch 11.00 pm