Log four - headin' home Sadly, this is the last of my log entries, and I already have a longing for the next Tall Ships' Race - but that'll have to wait... We got to know Lowestoft quite well really as the problems we had with the motor's drive shaft meant that we spent some additional time ashore. But after repair, we came out of Lowestoft with the previously forecast North Westerly, and took on some rough sailing - but this was really exciting. Skills that were learnt in the calmer waters were now put to the test.  | | The quiet of the evening was relaxing |
Skipper Ali was "cool in a crisis", not that there was a crisis, but she was great to sail with in the testing waters of the North Sea. We took off to Whitby - on the way to home. Kas the First Mate helmed the Cook like a good'n, cutting close to the wind. But despite the fast sailing, and with the drive shaft problems, we were still put back in our schedule, so we unfortunately missed some of the Whitby celebrations. But after the fast day's sailing, we were all really looking forward to a quiet night on board. The fun on the Tyne's all mine... It was getting close to the time when we all needed to be home in Newcastle, so the next day (Sunday) we really took off. It was a grey, dank and dreary day at first, but with a force 6 blowing, and somewhere on the same course was Dad on the Jubilee Sailing Trust's Tenacious. I looked out for him on the way, but could not see the ship although there were one or two other Tall Ships on the home run. It was late afternoon before we made it to Tynemouth, and it was interesting to see a familiar place, but from a different angle.  | | A happy crew - will we meet again? |
There were still a few other Tall Ships wending their way up the Tyne, and I must say that they were so incredibly huge when sailing along side in the river mouth. We recognised so many ships and crew from meeting at Cherbourg, and one or two were practising their water bomb catapults on us - we didn't take a hit! We were just being guided in by the Tyne Pilots to our berth on the Quayside, when Dad shouted from the quay-side gangway - he had beaten us in. Mum and he were expecting us in on the Monday, so it was a surprise. Once we had pulled along side, I reckoned that this was time to offload my dirty washing and cadge some cash - so I dashed up to the quay-side and did just that - but there was still a great deal to do on board, so I had to make a hasty retreat and help the crew. Scrub-a-dub This was called "Happy Hour" - I think all ships had been spending a happy hour each day - just loving the scrubbing and cleaning - but that's what makes a ship run - all pulling together.  | | Ian's sure there was a fuel cap... |
A shower was next on the list, and then we decided to hit the "toon". But it wasn't as lively a night as I would have liked - we were all recovering from hard sailing and wind, and felt rather tired - so a crash to bunks was the order of the night. The Crew Parade was the next day, and after a real spruce up of the boat, we all had our race T-shirts to put on and enjoy the fun. Sailing is a huge part of the Tall Ships' Race event, but so are the celebrations in each port - and although I may sound a little biased, Newcastle and Gateshead really knew how to turn on the fun and games. The Quayside was thick with crowds - I have never seen so many people there. We all felt so proud of our James Cook, and of being a part of the whole event, but it wasn't over yet. The Crew Party was on in the University buildings, and with endless food, drink and quantities of U2 and Queen music, I still felt I had sea-legs!! Not goodbye, just au revoir  | | Thousands of people crowded the Quayside |
The next day (Wednesday) was my last on the James Cook. Dad came down at 8.30am and I said my good-byes to not only the crew of the Cook, but to the many friends I had made on other ships along the Quayside. It was all rather sad really, but it's good to know that there will be another chance to get on the team for the next one... must find out where and when that is. Looking back, I have really enjoyed the whole experience and have come away with my Royal Yachting Association "Competent Crew" certificate and the RYA Logbook with 706 miles logged - I feel I really want to go on now and go for the Day-Skipper training... watch out Admiral's Cup - here I come! I must mention that the Ocean Youth Trust North East, steered by Andrew Burbridge is a great organisation. This whole adventure has been, as the Tall Ship's Race organisers say, "A life changing experience" - thank you! | 
