Wake up with a new pair of sunglasses which was apparently wearing walking down Falmouth high street at midnight. I had spent the evening getting to know some of my fellow crew, although at least half speak little or no English. However, I did learn an important word - 'fuego' - which means fire, which is what you ask for when you need a light.
The sleeping quarters are comfortable, at least compared to a modern 40ft sailing yacht. The step bunks surround the large table in the middle of the cabin, so there's no sleeping in late unless you're immune to others morning bustle.
The captain arrives at the boat at about 8:30 (from Southampton???). I am assigned to the 12 to 4 'watch'. This applies to both p.m. and a.m. and is the 'English' watch as Juan, El Capitan, and Xavier, another full time crew member, both speak English. Also, there are supposed to be two University of Falmouth students joining, but nobody is quite sure when, or even if, they are due to arrive.
Anyway, even though we are still in port, I am told to be on the boat between 12 to 4, although it only myself and the captain there. First duty - cleaning the 'heads'. 'The heads?', I thought. Does that mean we have to clean the head gasket or something on the engine? Do diesel engines even have head gaskets? Oh well, at least I get to learn something about the engine. Er, no. Head = Toilet.
While I am on board we have a number of people coming onto the boat to have look. Port Pendennis Marina is not open to the public, unlike Queen's Wharf where the A-class ships are being swamped by visitors. However, these visitors either have their own boats moored here or are part of other crews or have press passed or whatever. Anyway, from the 'Endeavour', which is a modern yacht owned by the Navy and crewed by combined services, we have visitors who couldn't believe the relative luxury of FB. When I told them we had a flat screen telly, they thought I was joking, until I showed them.
An older gentlemen, a freelance journalist, also came aboard and proceeds to demonstrate the art of being a classic boat bore. 'Oh she's a real beauty, etc.'. It's funny how people with the best intentions often have nothing of interest to say. He showed the captain and crew an article in last month's 'Classic Boats' magazine about the FB. In it, it states that the Far is Spanish for Lighthouse. Which opened a can of worms. You seen Far is CATALAN for Lighthouse (Faro is the Spanish). All of the 'Spanish' crew are from Barcelona. I end up wondering 'what with the Catalans and the Basques, who is it that actually wants to be Spanish?
Later, I go to examine the A class ships a little more thoroughly.
One of MIR's masts
At about 6ish, two students from Falmouth University, Mikki and Becky, arrive at the boat. I am not to be the only 'Ingles' on board! Later we go to watch the fireworks and show Oriell, one of the Spanish crew, a few English pubs.
Fireworks over Falmouth harbour
1 comment:
Very good......
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