Whoops!

Look at that, I'm home!

Well, ish. I'm at Dad's in Stockholm for Christmas.

Sorry I haven't been fantastic at updates this voyage, it's been very busy what with a helicopter airlifting off a chap who suffered a pulmonary embolism (I think it was) while aloft, shore leave in pubs with comedians (well, just the one) whose very very crude act was based on humiliation of his captive audience (to be fair it was extremely funny, if a bit extreme at times), and general danging off safety lines from above!

I have some pictures up at http://sarawallen.com/photos/ for perusal.

And sorry BBP, should've shouted out where I was going from, we actually were in Hull for a couple of nights before setting off, could've bought you a drink like!

The English Channel

Well, we sailed a long way, from the Humber until the southern bit of Anglia.
Now we're under motors unfortunately but planning to stop at Poole overnight before returning to Portsmouth under sail.
I have been aloft 3 times, slipped off the lowests yard once (in a harness, I was fine!), got a few bruises... All fun honest! The weather has been fantastic so far. Touch wood!

Less than a week to go!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Will do my best to stock up my phone with credit and posts again, should be in range most of the time this time, thankfully! No 8-day stretches in the open sea with no real sign of civilisation... (fine for me but less fun for those who were seasick)

Updates as and when! Promise! May have to do some test runs first though...

Testing testing!

New voyage time too! Have booked onto the PW320 voyage from the 17th of Dec in Hull to the 23rd in Portsmouth! Gonna be cold but fun - esp as the Prince William will be straight out of dry look and looking sparkly :D

Helping out the Tall Ships Youth Trust!

I have already spent a day in Barry showing people around my last ship, the Prince William. In a week and a bit (19th to 22nd of Sept) I will be helping out at the Tall Ships stand at the Southampton Boat Show! Mention this site if any of you spot me there and say hello ;)

Back again.

Ho hum. Luckily the last few days of the voyage were calm sea-wise so I'm not rocking all over the shop!

The photos are up!

Please click HERE and try not to be scared by all the young men in drag - it was in aid of the Halfway Party fancy dress!

Home time.

Home time.
Originally uploaded by sarawallen.

Sigh.

Hugs aplenty on leaving the ship. However we were all so exhausted that leaving is a relief rather than a miserable farewell.

Blue Watch won the inter-watch competition in the end by a nose, Mike our resident joker came though at the sod's opera last night with a skit about the 2nd officer - he had the entire crew wetting themselves with laughter.

Now sat on the above train reflecting and hoping the new-found muscles I've gained while heaving ropes stick around for a bit... I'll be back on proper msn after the weekend :)

Coming into Liverpool

Coming into Liverpool
Originally uploaded by sarawallen.

We manned the yards and shouted and screamed and waved our way in up the Mersey... Apparently the loudest crew so far! Whee!

TT Racing on the Isle of Man

TT Racing on the Isle of Man
Originally uploaded by sarawallen.

Okay so we only saw some practice laps due to unlucky timing, but this pic just shows a few of the hundreds of enthusiasts' bikes that are parked up everywhere. My digicam pics will show some of the actual (if blurred!) racers. Only a few days to go now, winding down and will be pleased to be back despite making some fantastic friends here.

KNACKERED!

KNACKERED!
Originally uploaded by sarawallen.

Everyone's exhausted and really looking forward to a real bed for a full night's sleep. Apart from maybe Ryan on the left in this pic. He was allowed his tag removed to come on this trip and is really going to miss us, he's learned a hell of a lot and his attitude has changed completely for the better, I'm so proud of him!

Bah.

Looks like the last couple of posts are in arrears... the Manx service provider doesn't seem to like gprs! Ho hum, sorry for the delay.

Leaving Manx Land

Leaving Manx Land
Originally uploaded by sarawallen.

Nice place, loads of bikers, COLD water (this numpty decided to go for a swim), and more sun than we had in the Azores! Onwards to the Mersey tomorrow, we're due to join with two other tall ships in the lock on the way in, hopefully pics to follow!

Testing testing!

Just realised I had forgotten how to email in a post without a picture! So hopefully this will work!
On other news, Blue Watch (my watch, the best, naturally) has just won the rowing race. We've been having inter-watch competitions since we embarked, including murder mystery, dingbats, crosswords...

The morning after

The morning after
Originally uploaded by sarawallen.

Visited a few pubs last night on shore leave, either side of a 2100-2200 harbour watch. Only got a couple of pints down me, but some like Will the rigger here had drunk enough rum to start doing a jig and singing sea shanties on deck at midnight...

Mooring in Kinsale

Well, nearly, in that pic. Took some to-ing and fro-ing but we're now sat still eating lunch and anticipating shore leave here for two nights. Lovely!

Update!

Ok so I've not had any signal since the Azores - we've crossed nearly half the atlantic and are due to dock in Ireland near Cork any time soon! First sight of land for over a week. More updates to follow shortly!

Bah.

Midnight. Been terrible weather since our arrival, the wind has just picked up to the point that the ship is jolting against its mooring lines and keeping me awake... On watch in 6 hours! Zzz...

Tally ho!

On the train to Gatwick now! Tell you what, it's probably the first time I've ever had to *get up* at 1.30am! Normally that's bedtime...

Arr, thar be a big bag!

Packed!

So where am I going?

Right, well I'm starting on the island that looks a bit like a mashed banana, "Sao Miguel" and sailing all the way back up to the Mersey, Liverpool. As you can see, that entails sailing on about a third of the Atlantic!

I hope I have enough warm clothes...

VERY excited now!

More testing!

More testing!
Originally uploaded by sarawallen.

Now only two days to go - got so much packing and stuff to do tonight, whee!