Just left the Dar Mlodziezy (Class A -- really big -- Tall ship part of the Polish Maritime Academy at Gdynia) this morning and humped my gear back home. Still a little "landsick" as my ears think I am still on board. Learned some Polish (particularly the ropes and some interesting swear words) and also how hard it is to work the watches on a tall ship. Glad to have survived the experience by working all watches and pulling all the ropes with the 20 somethings who will move our containers around the world in the future. It's nice to get a compliment from a 21 year old watch leader, for those of us over 50, for our surprising "energy." Only downside, despite having over 50 shanty festivals in Poland, not a single shanty is used aboard this vessel ...

In port, music was a considerable emphasis this year. I can recommend High Level Music in Lerwick -- the owner backs up the local band which played some awesome music before we left. The Stavanger side of things presented some great music too: My favourite being The Harbour Band (from the Irishman Pub) which cranked out a powerful set of traditional shanties and songs of the sea. Norway's own Storm Weather Shanty Choir (who look like a cross between Heavy Metal meets Stan Hugill) performed an extraordinary set to kick things off. The local octogenerian members (at least they looked it) of Det Norske Sjomannskor performed your typical Euro Shanty Choir numbers (traditional with accordian backup) but well received. Lots more music came out of the woodwork than you would suspect ... a great event.


Of course, all was damped by the tragic events of the week in Oslo -- Before we launched on the current leg of the Tall Ships race, the folks at Lerwick held a well attended church service (in the wind and rain) and all belted out Eternal Father Strong to Save which resonated with all. In Stavanger, ships ensigns were ordered to half mast, and a minute of silence was observed -- the flowers kept coming though and draped the main stage, local cathedral and central pond.


This was a voyage of a lifetime. If anyone comes to Stavanger, you will find a great welcome at The Irishman Pub (Thurs and Sat sessions plus first Sunday of the month jam).


Ha det bra
Wotcha