catch up blog

Sorry for the delay on the blogs we have had difficulty connecting using the
satellite phone. We have a lot to update you on, so here goes..

We left Aalborg quite late due to the timing of the parade of sail so we
sailed to a port close by called Hals for the night. The following morning
we tried to get across to Sweden but with the wind on or nose it wasn't a
comfortable ride, with many of the crew becoming very seasick. Jenny and Lui's
attempts at throwing up however were pitiful; producing what can only be
described as a meringue type substance. In view of the sickness and the lack
of food on board Skipper decided we would call into a place called Skagen
for the night on the Northern tip of Denmark, much to the girls delight. In
the morning we restocked and then set sail for Norway.

Some excellent helming by all the girls all through the night meant we
reached Arendal early Tuesday morning. We moored up next to Shabab Oman on
the quayside, and by lunchtime we were experiencing their famous
hospitality. A huge plate of spiced rice, melt in the mouth lamb and a crate
of kiwis were delivered, and in return we gave them a true Rona II thank
you; mechanical waves, Mexican waves and fitting Shabab Oman into the BN BN
theme tune. Skipper being the charming man that he is, also managed to
arrange use of their onboard showers as the ones onshore were being rationed
by a rather grumpy Norwegian. Communal ice cream eating occurred followed by
a wander around the Russian Tall Ship MIR. In the evening we planned to go
to the advertised Jazz festival, but it turned out to be separate to the
Tall Ships and they wanted to charge us £15 each.. So we gave it a pass.

Wednesday morning we moved on to Lillesand just down the coast, half way to
Kristiansand. Unfortunately due to the lack of wind we had to motor sail
most of the way but at least it was sunny! We had a wander around town and
stocked up on extortionately priced food, and in the evening we had a sea
shanty practice, producing a surprisingly good sound. Skip and Nic on
guitar, Lorna on ukulele, Jenny on flute and Sam on Clarinet.. We are hoping
to smash the competition apart at the shanty contest on

This morning we left Lillesand nice and early to the delight of Dory watch,
and continued or motor sail down to Kristiansand, arriving in true Rona
style impressing Kirsten or Liaison Officer for or stay in port. Now with
access to the crew room with internet we should be able to keep you updated
more often. That's all for now, off to explore, organise teams for the
sports competition tomorrow, and give out invites for the highly anticipated
Rona II party in Hartlepool!!!!

Little Miss Whoops update

Jenny 1

Li 2

Lara 3

Nic 2

Oly 1

Emily W 1

Em 1

Hazel 1

Erin 1

Sam 1

Nikki 1

Skipper 1

Given for a variety of things including:

Only realizing after 2 days that you left your coat on the coach (honorary
girl Oly)

Dropping flip flops in the sea

Splitting pants in half

Dropping scooping net into bilge (skipper)

Falling down hatches

Knocking the beans off the back of the oven.. and so it goes on