Pacific Grace 2009 - Trip 2

All trainees arrived safely to Victoria and at 1100 were finally able to board the Pacific Grace. Everyone seemed very excited to be aboard and after safety and deck introductions were complete all hands were on deck to slip lines and set sail for Desolation Sound. Unfortunately the wind has been calm all day, but a lovely sunny day of motoring through the Gulf Islands was a comfortable way to start and with promises of southeasterly wind tomorrow all hands are looking forward to a smooth day of sailing up the strait. Our first afternoon was spent getting know one another and learning about the routines that make up shipboard life. Many trainees have already tried climbing up to the top of the mast or out in the whiskers.  Jordan taught junior knots to everyone, and returning trainees who have already passed their junior level were able to assist in teaching the newcomers. We anchored up at 2100 in North Cove at Thetis Island for our first night together and after much fun and laughter during a game to help learn each others names (which involved a whack with a pool noodle if you couldn´t think of it fast enough) and rousing first mug up, all hands were sent to bed with chocolate chips cookies and hot chocolate courtesy of our assistant cook Lydia.