I’m just looking out of the window and seeing some sunshine! Where was that an hour ago? Goodness me, did it ever rain today. Thankfully we are equipped with good rain gear. We have started some different types of adventures since my last log. The biggest hurdle that we have passed is getting the ship under full sail. The new crew have been excited to pass those milestones although they really didn’t know what it means or how it is accomplished. Under the guidance of the mates and bosun we set the gaff topsails, the flying jib and finally the fisherman staysail.  That is over 11,000 square feet of sail — imagine if that was carpet for a house! The average single family swelling in Canada is 2300 square feet, as a comparison. I was so pleased to have this behind us. 

We have visited several small communities along the south shore as well. Indian Point, Mahone Bay, Western Shore, and Princes Inlet all saw us carry sail into their harbour and then anchor. We also sailed all along the Aspotogan Peninsula and past Chester and the Tancook Islands. These community visits are a gift to the crew who are exercised in different aspects of seamanship. It's easy to become complacent doing harbour cruises when we are repeating the same maneuvers time after time. It becomes very easy to forget what a large beast a Grand Banks schooner can be and how dangerous and heavy the gear actually is. We still have skills to learn and will keep working towards proficiency.

Another program we have completed is our “Deckhand for a Day” experience. We take about a dozen visitors out for a day-long experience with our crew. Scrub the decks, shine the brass, raise the sails, anchoring and of course a trick at the wheel are all offered and accomplished. Gabe the 2nd mate also gives a brief overview of navigation aboard the vessel and I will discuss communication and modern navigation techniques. We were blessed last week in Mahone Bay where we saw tuna, whales, porpoise, seals and various seabirds. All of this was topped off by a fantastic traditional lunch of fish cakes and beans made just for us by Dale, our cook.

Along the working waterfront of Lunenburg there are signs of increased activity. Picton Castle has returned home from her around-the-world voyage and has already started their shore based training program known as Bosun School. Lots of young people around the wharf! Spirit of Bermuda has also just arrived in Lunenburg for a scheduled regulatory haul out. Both ships are docked at Adams and Knickle. Like Bluenose II, Spirit of Bermuda is an ABS-classed ship and must be hauled out of the water on a regular basis for inspection. Lunenburg Shipyard is going full tilt to have their marine railway and workforce ready to accommodate ship haul outs. We are scheduled for later this year.

I should also note, in fact we should all note, how gracious Adams and Knickle Ltd. are in hosting tall ships that visit Lunenburg. They frequently open their docks to visiting ships and show good Nova Scotia hospitality to our guests. I know they are appreciated in the Tall Ship community and I hope by the local community.