Looking for Wind

Ahoy shipmates,It turns out that Althorpe Island is not a manned lighthouse these days after all, but we were lucky to find a party of six people on the island who were from the ���Friends of Althorpe Island�� society there on a week long working bee removing weeds and conducting general maintenance. We were pleased to be able to invite them back on board for one of our famous deck barbecues. Spirits were very high after an interesting walk around this small island. The jetty and flying fox which used to serve the lighthouse still remains though long out of service, the jetty extends from a small sand beach where the cold pristine waters of the Southern Ocean lap at its edges. The zig-zag path up the steep sandstone cliffs provided youth crew with a strenuous hike, though the small size of the island allowed little further exercise in the exploration of its minimal interior.Last night we all got to know each other better through an entertaining round of three way talks where youth crew are asked to briefly describe someone else’s biography, an exercise in listening, memory and expression. After a well deserved peaceful night at anchor this morning we sailed from anchor in the light breeze. The fitful breeze died in the afternoon by which time we had set all 10 sails, so we launched the ship’s boat loaded with lots of youth crew cameras for a photo shoot. We recovered the boat just as light breeze picked up again. This breeze teased us for a short while, then we were drifting again. We filled in the afternoon with a challenging teamwork game on deck but by late afternoon my hopes of a sea breeze were starting to diminish so reluctantly we handed all sail with the idea of entertaining ourselves with a refreshing swim. No sooner had we handed all sail then a line dark water to the south west indicated wind approaching, and 10 minutes later we had 18 knots of wind over the deck and the crew set to once more to raise sail. Such are the vagaries of sailing a tall ship.Yours Aye,Captain BobLog Entry for White Watch V 19/07 24NOV07Ahoy, there Family and friends!!Our Voyage is well underway completing 12 tacks as we aim to set the record of the most tacks undertaken in one voyage! So far we have experienced a range of weather conditions and seen an array of wildlife, dolphins accompanying us daily. As the days progress so does our seaworthy knowledge, all of us gradually becoming experts on the furling and setting of sails. We (white watch) are currently on night watch, having just completed the astounding feat of setting the storm jib with no prior knowledge and no storm conditions apparent, under the careful watch of our dashing watch leader Brad. Luke and Chloe