Diary 29 March 2006
Wednesday 29th March and the weather is clearing.We came on watch at 0800, actually we were all on deck at 0745. It takes some time for a handover which is often repeated in English. Just a general discription of the seas, the wind and the expected changes in the day. Then two people go to the helm, one to the bow to lookout and one to do a fire round on the half hour. Two people head to the galley to be bakis (galley slaves).That takes six out of a watch of seventeen. Down to eleven to handle sail changes. Which is not enough.
Our morning is spent on doing on-going maintenance. I opt to work with Marie- Louise who seems to keep the rigging in working order. Today it's an easy job of tarring the lines on the Brom or Topgallant. Easy because the Brom sails have been taken off the fore and main mast to be stored until we have consistent light winds or get closer to Australia. So I get to work on the sundeck.The first mission is to find some work clothes. That means going down two decks into the Arkli or store room for new gear. Clothing and such. There only appears to be two sets of overalls which I am happy to relinquish to the crew going aloft to tar.I end up with a pair of trousers way too big but snag a stray piece of rope to tie them up. Then I dig into my dirty clothes bag and extract one of the long sleeve t-shirts that was issued on our second day in port. A very sensible dark blue. This is a job I can easily understand. There are the foot ropes to tar and all the rope except for the gaskins, meters of rope.
After one hour I get called away to help clean the gundeck, our daily chore. I have a special mission in mind. Two days ago in the big rolling sea I was sitting on the floor of the gun deck marking pieces of rigging. The boat heaved to starbord and then rolled up again. Water began to pour through the hole where the capstan comes through.I'm not feeling so spry so I expect I will be getting a wet bum but no!!! The water pools into the recessed whole of the emergency exit that goes down into the crews bathroom. It had been sloshing around in there for a while and it had my name on it. So I got a grotty cloth and sponged it out. After Fica (tea break)I continue to tar for another two hours.
At 1200 our watch is over and it's time to eat again.I generally head for my hammock and get a nap in so that I can keep my energy up. I took to heart the words of Sara, the Leeuwin first Mate, when they say rest, rest. I rise in time for Fica at 1500. Then we are to have a lesson on learning our lines. Which fairly promptly turns into all hands attempting a tack.The sea is consistent the winds are light, we are doing 4 knots. With seventy odd people haulling and easing we manouver the sails but perhaps not fast enough, she ends up in irons (stalled). So we haul and ease all the sails back again, pick up a little speed and have another go.No go.Finally we ware ship, turning the ship with the wind, usually a slower but safer move that takes a lot more sea room. Sea room we have and she comes around. Now we are heading south west. So I know we have at least one more tack or wear to go otherwise we will end up in ANTARTICA!The day is gorgeous, we are supposed to walk around deck and learn some more lines but our watch ends up lounging on the sundeck while the young scientist, Gustaph, strums the guitar. I can't help myself, I go and find that pair of baggy pants and get back to tarring and still we haven't finished the job befroe it's time to eat again!
Jenny, trainee from Australia
