Tall Ships Update - 6th August 2011

It is customary for sailors to say that they are bound "Towards" a destination rather than "To" a destination.  Since the last blog update this has proved to be a wise tradition, as the journey TOWARDS Halmstad had to be divert to Friedrichshavn in northern Denmark for repairs to the engine cooling and part of the rigging.  On leaving Demark they had a fantastic and fast sail across to Halmstad.  Here is what the crew have said:

Ruth - (from 4th August)

We are currently alongside in a random little inlet on the Egersund as you have noted from the STI website.  The weather is cloudy but not cold, fresh and peaceful.  We are seeing the beauty of Norway from the sea, for the first time for most of us, including the three Swede’s and one Dutchman on board.  The scenery is a feast for the eyes, the gentle damp air a refreshing change from the lovely sunny (but windless) day we all enjoyed yesterday (when we were going backwards towards Stavanger).  The crew are much happier now that we are going to make some progress towards Halmstad.  So, after showers and a feast to end all feasts for lunch which includes rye bread, salami, jarlsberg, millions of fresh fried mackerel, oodles of home-made bread buns, and some other surprises I haven’t been told about yet, we are going to complete our circuit of Egersund and set off for a two day sail to Halmstad (we hope, and we hope to find wind in the Skagerrak).

Joel - Here is a poem for the blog written on board after retiring:

When it must be

When time must stop

And with the rolling sea

You must just sail on

and rest

There is a time

And it is beautiful

When you must go

Perhaps unexpectedly

But very much persepectively

Not to where you had been bound

There is a time

When everything

Works out best

When you just trust

And sit a while in His

More peaceful restAnd leave the rest

to Him

There is a time

A time to stop

A time to munch

A time to blogA time to laugh

A time to raise the flag of Love

And go ashore

But there is a time

To hoist again

And carry on

And face the sea

Mary – So we sailed to Sweden and got to Denmark, where we had a delightful time riding bikes, having showers, fixing things and gorging ourselves on what was one of the best meals I have ever consumed upon Morning Star. But now we are in Sweden for real after THE BEST sail. Joel and I had a fabulous time on watch trimming sails and pushing Morning Star for her best.

Jasper – The trip has been a real adventure and I don’t regret a minute of it. There has been weather like from no wind at all to almost storms, no waves at all to big waves enough throw me off the bed. The night watches have been tough but I’ve managed to remain conscious, awake and alive.

Sjors - After a wonderful week we finally arrived in halmstad. I had a great time, tough I was the only Dutch fellow on board I really enjoyed myself. At first I really had to get used to the English but after 2 days is went better, and now I’m already referred to the crazy Dutch guy. Although the trip wasn’t without problems it has been a great but a bit tiring when you already away from home and at the sea for 3 weeks.

Duncan- We have arrived! We have battled light winds, head winds, mechanical problems, but we are here! The final sail to Sweden was awesome- the boat just picked up her heels and flew! 100 miles in 15hrs. The Swedish welcome has been brilliant, the scenery is stunning and we look forward to sampling the local food. The help we had yesterday in Denmark was also impressive. The female Harbour Master looked after us and helped to sort an engineer, who thankfully was not needed. We are now heading out for the local swimming pool, showers and for me its sleep!