2010 Trip 2 - Pacific Swift

Waking early with starboard watch at 0530 it was hard not to feel
disappointed as the dawning light touched calm seas  all around us. It
seemed the forecast of strong winds for today was misplaced. Undeterred,
starboard watch proceeded to weigh anchor and start morning clean-up.
Slipping out of tribune bay a hint of breeze began to show on the
horizon. By 0700 it was apparent the breeze was indeed on its way.
Starboard watch wasted no time, leaping to the shrouds to loose the
topsail and setting up the courses on deck. By the time the other
watches turned out we were doing a brisk 8.5 knots in the morning sun as
the swell surged beneath the Swift. What morning would be complete
without a pre-breakfast mainsail haul and a little maintopsail to
follow? Bolstered by the extra hands and sails we were soon skipping
along at 10 knots. It was a wonderful sail and there was lots of great
sailhandling; raising and dousing sail, gybing, jiggering and all manner
of grunt work to help us run off our long run south to the Gulf Islands.
Everyone is doing an excellent job working the ship and it was a joy to
push her and see trainees steering in tricky situations, trimming sail
and working aloft to get the most out of today´s opportunity. Our top
speed running south was a fine 11 knots. The long run allowed people to
catch a nap, work on secret friend presents, study and enjoy the
experience. When we crossed the distinct line where the Fraser River
flows into the strait we were greeted and joined by 10 or so playful
porpoises. Our companions surfed the swells alongside and kept us on our
toes as they darted to and fro under the ship,  cruising effortlessly
beneath the waves to pop up and dash back for another pass. It was a
marvelous run under sail that finds us now anchored in Campbell Bay for
the night. Today is ship Sunday. We will be having a delicious meal of
roast beef, yorkshires, mashed potatoes and all the requisite fixin´s,
all prepared by our great cooks between their trips to the topsails and
efforts on deck. This evening we will have a service beneath the setting
sun and rising moon, well sated from the hard work and roast beast.