To Be Back on Land!

Our second night at sea (Fri night) and the YC are faring better. Favorable winds continue to hasten us down the coast. Today the YC quickly digested my sail theory lecture after a set of tacks designed to rotate YC through different watches’ positions so they can appreciate what the others do. At 1400 hours we berthed at the ‘Skinny’ Wharf in Eden and will stay here overnight. Shops and the killer whale museum were the main features of the visit to Eden. Tonight we’ll enjoy a BBQ on deck as many people walk along the wharf to ‘check us out’ and wish they were young (or old) enough to be on board.Youth Crew entry by Caitlin Bell, age 17, from Sydney.Today we sailed into our first port, Eden. Everyone was very excited to be back on land though some of us felt a little sick from the lack of motion. We all enjoyed ringing home and being able to walk in a straight line for once. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Rotary Club of Pennant Hills for giving me this great opportunity, it’s amazing. Hi to everyone at home, see you all soon. Cheers, Caitlin.Youth Crew entry by Gemma Sutherland,21,from Canberra.Aaah, to be back on land…After two nights at sea and several hours with my head stuck over the side of the ship I was finally used to the motion of the sea and suddenly we pulled into Eden. I’m dreading taking off again…. As a member of the White Watch I spent till 4am this morning navigating, doing rounds and thankfully not climbingthose horrible masts which I’m not too fond of – thanks for the genetic fear of heights, Dad. It was absolutely amazing being out at sea in the middle of the night, the brilliant stars above and the sails billowing peacefully, completely surreal and I’m so glad to have the opportunity to see it. Well worth the wait. Plenty more to say but I better not use all the space. Mum, Dad, Bec, Christie, Kallan, love to you all, I feel like I have been gone for ages and am looking forward to seeing you all again and sharing my adventure. Love GemPS – Listen to the Captain’s Voice Log, brilliant interview Jo and I did…Youth Crew entry by Johanna Lee 19 of Maitland.The voyage so far has been an interesting one. The climbing of the mast would not feature highly on my most favorite experience I must say I was scared to death especially being out on the mast even though it was only for a fleeting moment. It is great to be over seasickness I feel great now and am really starting to enjoy myself. Our stop in Eden has been action packed with a visit to the whale museum. It was an interesting museum with lots of random displays from drug smuggling to the story of old Tom (a fascinating whale story). Looking forward to getting back out to sea so we can start pulling the sails around cause I find it fun to heave on the ropes its building up my muscles so when I go home my brother can’t call me weak anymore. That’s all I have to say at the present moment but I would like to take the chance to say thank you to my sponsor Maitland Rotary cause you have given me the chance to embark on this great adventure. Finishing I would like to send my love to mum and dad and the rest of my family and make sure you listen to the captain’s voice log tonight because I have a staring role and if you don’t do it tonight it will be gone. Love you and goodbye.Stay tunedAndrew Davis
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
CO's LOG Saturday 5 Jan 02Current situation at 1800: In Eden, back from the mighty sea. Wind nor'easterly at 15 knots. Temp 20C.
You might also be interested in

ARRRGH, ahoy there from the spectacular Jervis Bay! We’ve all been taken A-back by the crystal clear blue waters and snow white sands.
After a well deserved sleep in these sheltered waters which was a refreshing change to clinging to our bunk racks for dear life for the past few days, the ship rose to another banger of a morale tune “sung” by Blue Watch. Brekkie was fun after the early morning activity to get us all up and moving. We held another round of competitive not-competitive rope races which culminated in smashed eggs on deck and the mummification of said egg smashers.
Roast lamb for lunch was prepped by the staffies in the absence of our culinary wizard Steve. Once cleaned up, we took the RHIB’s across to Captains Beach bordering HMAS Creswell which was a mind-blowingly beautiful little spot. Pretty much everyone had a dip in the drink and a roll in the sand and played some creative beach games run by our Suitability legends, Speedy Sam and Eggs.
A few hours at the beach made everyone ready to head back home and attack a teak deck barbeque, devouring cheese platters, steaks, sangas, and salads. With our full stomachs, us youthies initiated the highly anticipated elections for our command day roles. Which will commence sometime around midday tomorrow. We held a vote for each available role that all willing youthies put themselves forward for.
The following roles were voted as follows: Captain – Warwick, Sailmaster – Hugh, Navigator – Ruscoe, Officer of the Watch – Dan, Watch Leader – Nick, Ben, Bridget, Master chef – Emily, Mackenzie, Alyshia
We were greeted after our elections by a low flying anti-submarine MH60-Romeo Helicopter which did a cool fly around our ship. *Thanks Squizz!!* And then watched an amazing film about the rounding of Cape Horn back in 1929 on a 7 story tall sail ship.
Signing off from our anchor watch, Ben and Giles.
“I believe that positive energy and optimism help us to take up any challenge in life and to succeed in even the most difficult tasks. I also believe that positive energy is contagious: We can transmit it to others”


After a rather nonchalant guts watch with the Bluies, Reddies came in guns a blazing, setting our beautiful square sails preparing us for a speedy and eventful day at sea. Scaling (laying aloft) the Foremast, whilst the ship swayed kept the Reddies on their toes, holding on for dear life as they let out the gaskets for the Topgallant and Topsail Yards. A challenging activity to start off our day rewarded with a beautiful sunrise over Starboard.
During the day we participated in a Meteorology Brief led by our resident Nav guru TOMO, learning everything there is about fluffy, rainy and stormy clouds. This was followed by Lunch and a needed Siesta.
Whilst some slumbered, Bluies kept watch. They had brave volunteers to climb both main mast and to the topgallant yard to sea furl the sails.
In the afternoon, our Watches came together to have Mid Voyage Chats, where we had the opportunity to reflect on our voyage goals, experiences and discuss our hopes for Command Day. There were some very heartfelt talks, from overcoming fears, to gaining confidence in working as a team, and we set our eyes upon what we want to achieve in the rest of the voyage.
The first dog (Reddies) (from 1545 to 1745) was full of excitement, with over 50kn winds and up to 50 degrees on the OOOH AAAH meter (heel). Watching the waves break higher than the rails was an exhilarating experience and kept us holding on tight. Sites of sharks and a Cargo ship kept our lookouts entertained, while Callum lead an engaging activity on Charts. At the end of the first dog watch, Nick and Phil braved these treacherous conditions to lay aloft on the mainmast to wrangle the mainsail!
Rockin and rolling, Youthies (the newest salty sea dogs) Hugh, Bridget, and Nick!!