Early this morning, nothing but happy faces could be seen on the quay at Lowestoft. The wait was over and after 11 days and 8 hours we could finally get going.
We are now sailing at full speed across the southern part of the North Sea heading straight for the Netherlands and the West Frisians. The sun is shining and we’re eating lunch on board. This is an enormous relief, especially for the new crew who arrived in Lowestoft the weekend before last. A few of them had never actually been on board the Sea Stallion and the enthusiasm was obvious.
But as we have noted many times over the past 10-11 days, waiting is a very large part of a long sailing voyage with the Sea Stallion and all the crew have taken it with incredibly good spirits. Lowestoft was perhaps not the worst place for it to happen. Many of us have actually been busy making use of all the activities available, and there have been plenty of things on offer. Of the about 20 harbours the Sea Stallion has called at in the past 12–13 months, very few have had so much to offer as Lowestoft.
In particular, the local football club at Kirkley got used a lot. And Amanda, a local woman who does everything from serving at the bar to washing floors, was one of the Sea Stallion’s great heroines. The 60 crew take up a lot of room wherever they are, and Amanda just accepted it all with a smile. Thank you, Amanda!In particular, the local football club at Kirkley got used a lot. And Amanda, a local woman who does everything from serving at the bar to washing floors, was one of the Sea Stallion’s great heroines. The 60 crew take up a lot of room wherever they are, and Amanda just accepted it all with a smile. Thank you, Amanda!
In particular, the local football club at Kirkley got used a lot. And Amanda, a local woman who does everything from serving at the bar to washing floors, was one of the Sea Stallion’s great heroines. The 60 crew take up a lot of room wherever they are, and Amanda just accepted it all with a smile. Thank you, Amanda!
The departure was announced yesterday, so provisions were stored, water filled into the bottles, and personal equipment packed. This last can be a particularly complicated affair. What should be put under the deck in the large sack and what should above the deck in the little bag? Remember to have your torch ready in a pocket in your trousers. Knife, book, thick sweater, boots, woollen underclothing, socks – all that should be within arm’s reach – while the change of clothes, the sleeping bag and the underlay are under the deck. And the rainwear – we may need it, but we don’t know – so that must also be ready. Sea boots? Well, perhaps. But only if it gets too wet and cold.
We have provisioned so we can sail for many days, and the lunch and night boxes are very full. We still haven’t had a really long stretch, although the 56 hours from Wicklow to Torquay were a challenge. But what will it be like when it’s 70–80 hours? With disjointed sleep and maximum attention to the ship and sailing on four-hour watches? Many of us have great difficulty in sleeping on board. It’s cramped on board and there are noises from the rigging, the ship, and the general chatter, although we are supposed to be quiet on board from 20.00 to 12.00. The watch from 20.00 to midnight in particular find it difficult. They can get some sleep from midnight to 4.00, but when they are off-watch again from 8.00, there's porridge and coffee and it can be very difficult to find peace and quiet.
But so far no decision has been made about our next port of call. Will it be Den Helder in the Netherlands or will we continue on up to Thyborøn?
What about a little bet on that at home?