Day 7: The Journey Continues

Hi there Everyone, Well it was another challenging night of sailing and due to the consistent north, north/easterly winds we had to motor sail for periods to make some ground to the north. Our aim was to work our way back to Sydney Harbour as with the forecast winds, this is what was going to set up the most favourable scenario for the fast approaching Command Day. Following morning brief I conducted Captains Setting and Furling Drills. These drills are designed so that I can evaluate each Watch in their ability to safely set and furl sails in preparation for Command Day. I need to have confidence that everyone in our team can achieve the desired outcomes without compromising their own or anyone else’s safety. With these drills successfully completed we found ourselves 5nm to the NE of Sydney Heads. We sailed through the heads into Sydney Harbour, in this majestic tall ship and again treated onlookers with a real spectacle. With grace and poise, our squares (topsail and topgallant) and our fore and aft sails were full of wind driving us effortlessly toward our destination. Like the true tall ship sailors they’d become our team handed all sail in a matter of moments as we came safely to anchor in North Harbour, just near Manly. The Youth Crew were then ferried ashore to Manly to have a look around one of Australia’s best known northern beach suburbs. Showers continued to add niggling challenges, but nothing our team couldn’t handle. For after all, they were now tall ship sailers and they’d faced Mother Nature’s power and might, so showers and getting a little wet was of little significance to them now. On their return to the ship the weather became more favorable which allowed for another enjoyable ���teak deck BBQ’. On completion of dinner, I conducted my Command Day brief which was immediately followed by the Youth Crew’s Command Team elections. Results now known, the ship will be in the capable hands of Captain Jess and her team as of tomorrow. So after a very busy day the Youth Crew has settled into their anchor watches for the night and hopefully will get a good nights rest in preparation for tomorrow’s commencement of Command Day.Our last couple of days at sea had seen significant developments in the overall journey of our budding young adventurers. They as a team had progressed enormously and the voyage continues to gain momentum. Command Day looms with great anticipation.Comments from Youth Crew . . . Bec says hi to all the readers out there. There have been laughs, hard work and sometimes a high reading on the seasickness spew-o-meter. Overall a great experience and great people ��� learning to master the ship has been very cool. I’m looking forward to command day tomorrow when we get to take control of the ship. See you when I get back! Hi Mum!Ray: Ahoy there landlubbers! When we haven’t been working the sheets and the sails well into the wee hours of the night, we have been attempting to sleep in our cabin that’s endlessly rolling and rocking. All in good fun (no sarcasm here). Wish us luck for command day tomorrow!Until tomorrow, take care.Yours AyeCaptain Dion