Crew Blog
First day of term
25 May 2008
It’s the first day of term back at Miss Jenner’s Academy for Caledonian Sea Cadets and lessons started promptly at 0800 after yesterday’s traditional send off by the Chair of Governors the Hon Joff Bailey and our special overseas guest. New boys Paul Murphy and Ross Harris have been joined by two boys, Andy Cole and David Jack, returning after a brief exclusion, one possibly for unauthorised swimming and the other for a mysterious unspecified offence. Young Michael Corry has failed to arrive on time, pleading a ‘sore shoulder’. His credibility is limited and not just because he is a Scouser.
Skills all round were a bit rusty with no real application to things nautical by the new students since Christmas or even Prep School last summer. Lead by Miss Jenner and supported by Head Boy Daffy and Head Girl Lisa, the whole school has been put through its paces, tacking and gybing, putting in and shaking out reefs. We can expect the intricacies of poling and kites to come up later today as they too will be key to this term’s syllabus. Already they have been reintroduced to the navigation station, the GPS and shown the infamous MOB button which none of us wants to see in use. The importance of hourly logs has been emphasised and the need to keep the day tank filled.
Matron, Miss Smith, continues to support Clare Sanderson and Gemma McGeachie with their home economics studies and they are expected to pass out in Cork if they apply themselves to the refreshments module of the course. Clare will also be specialising in Bow, Pole and Mast studies this term. Gemma, with a birthday today, continues to be a keen all rounder specialising in the snake pit alongside Miss Smith, an inveterate all-rounder.
Senior Prefect Andrew keeps a kindly watch over the pupils, old and new, lending a hand where needed but keeping in the background continuing his studies of helming, lines and knots. It’s Sir Robin’s last term at the school and he is concentrating his efforts on perfecting his smiling and waving techniques as requested by Miss Ewing, one of our other governors.
Paul Myers continues with his trichological studies when he isn’t working in the pulpit or ‘fixing’ things for the crew
Old hands Colin and Gordon have been banished to the basement today to get on with cleaning and cooking. With no medical officer this term that could be a risky decision with our first match of the season due to take place tomorrow when they will rejoin their ‘mates’.
Just before luncheon, the whole school and our neighbouring foundations watched as Miss Jenner took two pupils on a diving master-class when they were joined by Master N Withers from Durban wearing his new rubber uniform.
We have high hopes for doing well this term and have set our sights on a good place in the end of year tables.
Sherriff C
Lower Fifth Remove
1. Sarah, Crowthorne 26 May 2008
No mention on when you’ll be sitting your SATs (Seamanship Attaintment Tests) Colin, but otherwise a blinder of a blog. I too have very high hopes that Miss Jenner’s Academy will be high up the league tables this year. Best wishes to you all but especially the Senior Prefect.
2. ingrid, wet Bank Holiday London 26 May 2008
Top marks for an excellent essay Sherriff! Lets hope we see the same dedication from you and your fellow students to the race in hand, and you will be rewarded with an A* you all deserve.
3. Pam and Michael, Keighley 26 May 2008
Hi all on Glasgow. A very entertaining blog from you. Hope wee Sue’s home economic classes are helping and that you are all eating well. Sorry to hear about the re-start (yet again) but actually it has put you in a much better position as I look at the Race Viewer, Keep it up and lets have a win on this leg.
Pam and Michael.
4. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 27 May 2008
Great racing guys. Running at number 2 and looking strong. Better, you seem to be well ahead of ‘Ull and ‘Umber so there are points to be gained on the overall table.
Satisfactory report Sherriff but no slacking, we hope to see the Remove do well this term!
Sail safe and fast. Go Glasgow!
5. John and Susan Revie, Scotland 27 May 2008
A well balanced and informative first day report Colin. Thank you. Miss Jenner’s Academy seems to be on course for another good term and we are confident that her pupils will excel in all their chosen specialities, although we understand that success usually requires a range of all round skills. We note that you have not mentioned Personal and Social Development but we know, from having sent our daughter, Erica, to your establishment, that this is ably catered for, Miss Jenner using challenge as well an fun to keep her pupils motivated. As parents, we cannot rate your establishment highly enough and we shall follow your progress closely this term hoping to see the Academy gain the much coveted, and well deserved, top place in the league tables.
6. Graham Jenner, Shrewsbury 27 May 2008
Hi Glasgow - Scotland with Style Clipper, what a fantastic blog. It must be the sea air making your mind drift back to childhood!! We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the read and just as well there’s a “sherriff” in charge..... looking forward to seeing you all in New York. Best of luck and may the wind be with you this time. Graham & Kate Jenner.
7. Caroline Fitzpatrick, dornoch 27 May 2008
Hi Black Pearl cadets - looks like the lessons went well at the start of term as you are now in the lead. Keep it up and come into NY first so that I can get a photo of you all without the rest of the fleet around! Looking forward to seeing you Sue S - or should I call you Mother! Safe and fast sailing - Best wishes Caroline Fitzpatrick
8. gem sawyer, cardiff 27 May 2008
Come on han and the black pearl you got this far its nearly over, u can do it!!!!!
cant wait to see you big hugs gem.xxxx
9. Tuffnells Tarts, 27 May 2008
Dear Paul (MURPHY, THE GLASGOW),
Hope you’re enjoying yourself AND BEHAVING!
Thanks a million for the six new chairs for our dispensary, the two new dispensers are really good, and our £5.00 an hour increase in wages was a lovely suprise.
Sorry about having to get the new computer, weve told Gillian off so many times for drinking her gin and tonic over the key-board.
We think its a bit mean that Lynne isn’t missing you at all.......but we had noticed her eyeing up the red haired Phoenix driver.
Bye for now, it’s only 4-30 but we feel like an early night.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
10. chris ouldred, 27 May 2008
murphy, no slacking and dont lose the tender. have a great time chris o
11. Erica, Edinburgh 28 May 2008
Who would have thought I’d be missing school so much… Thoughts were of you at a crew get together in Glasgow last night. Keeping my fingers crossed for favourable winds and a good position this race.
12. Mairi, St Augustine, Florida 28 May 2008
Waving at you, as promised, Miss Smith! Sorry you can’t drop in for a cocktail, but I believe they have a few of those in New York...Looking forward to seeing Black Pearl being the first to imbibe on the East Coast! Good luck!!!
13. Joe mac (Glasgow leg 4), Scotland-work ;-( 28 May 2008
Colin
...methinks you have partaken of tooooo much rum!!!
Great blog its the two things that keep the boat moving… wind ... dah!!! obviously!!! and ....great sense of humour which the crew always seem to have in abundance with just a little more when its most needed.
Good to see you all in good spirits.... keep away from them damned islands…
Joe (stuck here at home, fed up, in the rain, cold, miserable, jealous… but proud.)
PS was at a lille event in Glasgow last night drumming up crew for 09/10.... about 10 of us 07/08s attended… few beers and food followed and a great chance to hear those stories ... again!!!
Just watching the video and meeting all these excited new people just made us all realise just how good it was even when it was bad ... it was good.
Slainte
Joe
14. Viv Clayton, Cheshire 28 May 2008
Can’t believe that Andy Cole has a tan so quickly!!!! You put me to shame! Good luck Viv
15. Carl Parker/Angela Dawson, London, UK 28 May 2008
One takes it after all this time at sea, no one will be making any references to the Fat Owl of The Remove.
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