First notable thing: the honeymoon period is over. I no longer like the food, I complain about lessons, and don’t even attempt P.E. The loudspeaker bell annoys me, I don’t enjoy the film, I just want to go to the dance. And lo! A stereotypical teenager appears before your eyes! I have time to shower and wash my hair for the evening (we had to dress formally for dinner, like on TITANIC) yet no time for the scrapbook. I still have it – “scrap” is right. Our reluctance to start it is compounded by our obvious lack of effort in its execution. I don’t know if we handed it in for marking but if so, I’m sure the remarks read, “Badly written, poorly constructed, and disgracefully presented. Utter rubbish.” I attach below a photo of the ship so you can see how amazing it is that I, a mere 14 year-old, am guiding this vessel across the Mediterranean single-handed.
30/10/71
Gibraltar – Heraklion
Personal Log: Fifth Day
I don’t think I have ever got up so early on a Saturday, and I know that I have never had lessons on a Saturday. This morning, Alison and I started the scrapbook that we thought we would never start.
In the afternoon we had inter-dormitory deckgames competitions. Being lazy, I didn’t volunteer for anything, and surprisingly, I didn’t get dragged into anything. Considering I wasn’t actually inany activity, I think I managed to keep myself fairly well occupied. I went from game to game just watching and cheering.
Earlier on, we had a lecture on the Minoen Civilization which I found rather boring, being tired anyway.
Having some time to spare I had a shower and hairwash so that I could look pleasant at the dance later on. I saw a bit of ‘The Aristocats’ firstly then went on to the dance. I have decided that either I have changed or the quality of the meals is decreasing and I find the loudspeaker bell extremely annoying.
Navigational Log:
0001-0400 Middle Watch
0100 Gears tested with controls. 0140 Pilot on board. Station called fore and aft. 01:50 Singled up to 2 lines and 1 spring fore and aft. 01:54 vessel turning short found to port. 0300 Rounding Europa point and setting an easterly course for Heraklion.
0400-0800 Morning Watch
07:32 Sunrise
0800-1200 Forenoon Watch
Cape Sabinal passed to Port
1200-1600 Afternoon Watch
Vessel passing Pelaoa point to port
1600-2000 Dog Watches
18:08 Sunset. Vessel position checked by celestial observation.
