Only one more set of sailing vacancies to advertise before the end of the 2004 season! If you want to come sailing with us this year, this is your last chance: a weekend voyage, from the evening of Friday 29th October until the afternoon of Sunday 1st November, starting and finishing in Southampton. Call the office on 0870 241 2252 to book.
The latest voyage in JOHN LAING which finished this week was with another regular customer, Parkside School: a very lively crew at the bottom end of our age range, who enjoyed regular Force 7 winds throughout their week in the Solent. This was obviously a bit of a shock to skipper Wolf as he had recently returned from his Mediterranean break (NOT in Corfu….) Anyway, the Parkside group sailed from Gosport to Hamble, Cowes, Gunwharf and Ocean Village. Congratulations to Stephanie Thornton who passed her 3rd mate’s assessment. And relief bosun Katy Tarrant was recommended for a 3rd mate’s assessment, as was Hamish, the group leader from Parkside School – well done to both of them.
Staff bosun (and Princess) Craig Dickerson has been on leave this week so sadly there are no new anecdotes for Princess fans, of whom there are many (and no, it’s not just his Mum). There have been a number of concerned emails since I mentioned that he had been unwell a couple of weeks ago – but I believe he’s better now.
I also had an email from Jamie Scott (that’s the lady who can make gravy but can’t open train doors) who says hello to all her friends, but seems to be suffering from shock at having got very good AS level results and also at turning 18 this month. She says that she has seen Paulina, JOHN LAING’s favourite Russian, who sailed with us a couple of years ago. Jamie plans to sail with us in the summer next year “because it will be warm then”. (Actually she said “worm” but I’m guessing!).
Also heard from occasional relief skipper Tom Sage, who is doing the an Atlantic crossing from Las Palmas to St Lucia in November/December in an Oyster 56. Anyone jealous?
And Paul Barber, who did his first trip with us on the Brest voyage in July, has emailed to say that he plans to stay involved, along with Duncan Robinson who did the same voyage.
Evidently quite a few people are starting to think about the 2005 sailing season, and while there’s a lot to do before we get there (refit information to be published shortly), it’s definitely a good idea for both crew and sea staff to start thinking NOW about bookings for next year.
Please check the 2005 sailing programme at www.oytsouth.org. Crew members, group leaders etc. should contact the office on 0870 241 2252 for bookings.
It is particularly important that we sell every berth on the various legs of the Tall Ships Races (Portsmouth – Waterford – Cherbourg – Newcastle – Fredrikstad – Bremerhaven – Ipswich) so please pass the information around among friends, relatives, schools, youth groups and anyone else who might be interested in joining us for a leg. It’ll be a fantastic experience, with thousands of young people on hundreds of vessels from all over the world, so do please get in touch with the office if you want to know more.
Sea staff bookings are now being co-ordinated by me, so please reply to this email ASAP with the dates when you would like to sail in 2005 (and with second preferences where possible). I’d also like to hear from people who aren’t yet sea staff but would like to get involved, to make sure as many of you as possible get on familiarisation and assessment voyages. I look forward to hearing from you all!