Stavros

After an interview along with some group activity tests I was one of the 48 lucky local applicants to be selected to be a crewmember on board the Stavros S Niarchos to take part in the Cutty Sark Tall ship race 2002 during August. The race was from Santander in North Spain to Portsmouth.

The costs

The cost of this voyage was paid for by the sailing training association (STA) but the crew was asked to raise money through various fundraising methods to help fund for a new crew to take part on a similar voyage for next year. As a crew we were involved in the Lord Meyers show In July where we paraded through Portsmouth from the Guildhall to Southsea Common. We had to walk around with buckets collecting the odd penny from those watching the parade. We had raised roughly an outstanding �200. Each crewmember also had their own sponsors from friends and family where we aimed to raise approximately �100 each. I only managed to raise about �50 with money still outstanding from some people at college, for example someone that I would like to shame called FATIMA owed me money.

Journey to Spain

Soon the 3rd of August came close and we had to pack ready for the following day, Sunday the 4th where we had to leave for Spain. I am the kind of person that leaves things to the last minuet so I started packing the night before. I stayed up to 4am trying to ensure that I had everything. On the crew requirements list it stated that I was not allowed to take a large hard suitcase which I mistook for just a large bag, therefore I tried to cramp as much clothing and accessories in my college rucksack. The next day we had to meet at the Guildhall at 7.00am but having little sleep I woke up late and missed the photo shoot just before the coach was about to leave for Bournemouth. So there I arrived with my little rucksack being embarrassed after looking at the gigantic bags the other crewmembers bought with them. Everyone had at least 3 bags where I was the only one with the 1 bag.

The two days in Spain

When arrived in Santander in Spain we were taken to the port where the Stavros S Niarchos laid waiting for its crew. On that evening the 48-crew members including me were divided in to 3 watches, Blue, Red, and white. We were all been allocated a bunk number where we had to stay, this reminded me that I forgot my sleeping bag, 'oh nooo' I said but I was in luck, my watch leader Fiona Dangerfield, which was also my old PE teacher at school had a spare. We were given shore leave until 12.00am with instructions not to leave and so I with a few other members of the crew decided to explore the town of Santander. We eventually entered a bar where I had some chips and the others decided to drink till they were out of their head. That night everyone was hyperactive jumping around the bunks; eventually I started to sleep around 2.00am. The next morning we the white watch and some of the volunteer/permanent crew were woken up 7.00am for breakfast at 7.30am with the remaining blue and red watch being woken up at 8.00 for the second sitting breakfast at 8.30. Unfortunately I was in the white watch so I had to get up at 7.00am. After breakfast we had a briefing with the whole crew including Captain Barbara. We had to practice climbing the masts and tying the sails with a special knot known as Slippery Hitch knot. We were told to always wear harnesses when on deck. While we were practising the masts we had seemed gather crowds of thousands of Spanish people in the docks. One of the crewmembers shouted out something in Spanish, which attracted the attention of the Spanish people who gave him a dirty look. I forgot what he said but it means 'such my c***' you can now see the reasoning behind the dirty looks. On this evening we were also given shore leave but this time until 11.00pm. I was unlucky as always, I had a watch at 9.00pm to 10.00pm so I had to arrive earlier. There was a crew party at shore about a couple miles away, which we didn't have time to go so we went to the same bar as the day before. I was very thirsty so I tried asking for some water but the waitress got me some weird pastry stuffed with something I had never seen before. It was very hard; I had to mime out a tap with water running out and me drinking an imaginary cup of glass before the waitress got me some water 'yipeee'. I have now learnt that the word for water is agua. The roads in Spain were very weird, there were no traffic light are they drive on the right side of the lane. If you wanted to cross the road you just had to run for it and hope for the best.

I arrived back at the boat for my watch at 9.00pm where my duty was to guard the entrance and to stamp anyone who desires an STA stamp, for example many people collect these stamps from each of the other tall ships. There were plenty of beautiful women around and I got chatting to a few having no clue of what I was saying as The only Spanish word I knew was ollah and agua. Luckily many people new some English and taught me some Spanish, I now know how to say I love you 'decairo' and goodbye 'adiose'. Few of the other crewmembers were taking advantage of the women but I was not that type. Again everyone had a late night but we had to prepare for tomorrow as we were to depart for the race, which was set to start at noon.

The set up for the race

The application

The great adventure out at sea.

Meet the crew, this is on board the ship. Guess where I am?

Hello, durig august 2002 the Cutty Sark Tall ships race commenced and was one of teh lucky ones to take part in the race. Below are details of my time out at sea.

Not yet finished, just give me a few more days OK. dont worry the fun starts now

Anyway, we left Portsmouth heading to Bournemouth Airport via coach. Our flight was at 2.00pm and when we finally boarded the plane it bought back memories of travelling to Bangladesh, as it had been 7 years since I had been on an aeroplane. As the plain took off a wonderful sensation aroused in my stomach, which is similar to that experienced on a roller coaster. As we flew over France, magnificent spectacles of the coastline became visible. Chalky grey cliffs were caressing the sandy beaches, which was stroked by the clear seawater, at that point I felt gutted that I forgot to pack a camera.