Day 6 blog by
White Watch
The early hours of today where spent tacking to avoid ships
off the southern tip of the island of Gotland. Then the wind got up and the big
genoa had to be changed for the yankee. Each wave crashed over the watch on the
foredeck as they wrestled the genoa into submission. One wave was so large that
Riley, who was working the hanks at the time, ended up completely submerged,
visible only by his luminous yellow hood poking up above the green stuff.
The effort on deck was rewarded as we overtook the 120ft
Finnish schooner, Helena, in a solid F6 wind.
Below decks, the day began early for a certain member of
white watch with a head on collision with the opposite bunk. Trend setting went
on hold after said event, however resumed promptly with the emergence of Jack
& Jones, making their debut in the world of Rona II. Chief Sharker No.2
quickly earned the name Chundersaurus Rex, after 4 seconds of semi
consciousness followed by a hasty dive into the heads door, sleeping bag and
all (it’s still drying out).
Breakfast started well with planning completed the night
before for fresh homemade rolls, with intended sausages, fried eggs, bacon and
beans. Sadly the light winds were abayed by the number 1 yankee and force 7’s
rocked the boat (sock in a washing machine comes to mind). Therefore, a revised
breakfast came in the form of porridge and sausage slammed rolls.
Winds overnight had led to the drop of Rona from 2nd
in class to 6th. However we soldiered on, whilst others retired. The
morning continued with a skeleton White watch (Ben W and the Flying Scotsman)
manning through in the galley whilst the rest went for a little fresh air. Three
hours later, having had their fill of the Baltic atmosphere, they returned, to
start on lunch. Ben W has been promised a flagon of Ribena for his services in
our absence. A special mention must be made to our resident Royal Marine, who
took it upon himself to clean the entirety of the bilges, armed with only an
allen key and half a bilge pump handle; Neptune has been referenced as a
suitable comparison. Along with meals came regular doses of Stugeron, from
intra watch medic Captain Ladbantz (soon to be Meng…possibly…awaiting results).
Watches on deck continued with bursts of “tuneful entertainment” courtesy of Harry
(he has no off switch. It’s incredible).
Red Watch (self-proclaimed Storm Watch) completed a range of
sail changes after calling in the big guns of White watch (Tinners and the
Tactician), during which Lizzie attempted a gymnastics display on the foredeck
in the form of the splits. She is slowly recovering. Sam had ample opportunity
to test his new waterproofs…
Mid afternoon we crossed tacks again with Helena.
Spirits were raised with a delightful meal and strong
efforts from the whole crew lead to an increase of position to 3rd
in class. White watch are now signing off Mother, and are donning waterproofs
to head up on deck to try and hold our position and improve on it.
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