Tall ships adventure

July 2023

I've had the experience of a lifetime, sailing on board the Norwegian square rigger, Statsraad Lehmkuhl, in the Tall Ships Races Cruise-in-Company. Fredrikstad to Lerwick.
Thanks to the amazing charity, Sail Training Shetland and local sponsors! Read more

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Traveler Tall ships adventure
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- Apr 17, 2023
- 🌬 9 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Scotland Shetland Islands Ham The Ord 60.108923, -1.11755660°6’32” N 1°7’3” W
Sailing taster day
April 17, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 9 °C
Today I was on board the Swan, getting a taste of sailing. The Swan is a sailing ship built in Lerwick as a herring drifter and more recently fully restored as a sail train vessel.

At 9am we set off from Albert wharf in Lerwick, sailing out the south mouth and stopping at Mousa for lunch. The other tall ship applicants and I were fully involved in the running of the ship. Roles included hauling up sails and making adjustments when tacking. There were also chances to take turns at the helm and do activities such as filling in the ship's log. After 9 hours at sea we made it back to Lerwick. The experience was hard work but still very enjoyable. Plus I didn't feel seasick! The next thing is a wait to see if I'm successful in being offered a place on a ship in the Tall Ships Races in July.Read more
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- Jun 27, 2023, 6:30pm
- 🌬 15 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- Scotland Shetland Islands Lerwick North Ness 60.157776, -1.14968660°9’28” N 1°8’59” W
Excitement builds!
June 27, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 15 °C
Last month I found out that I was successful in being offered a place on the Norwegian Ship, Statsraad Lehmkuhl in the Tall Ships!! I'm going on the Cruise in Company leg, from Fredrikstad in Norway to Lerwick!

The sail trainees met together tonight to learn more about the trip and received information packs with Ship details and packing lists. We also collected some official Sail Train Shetland merch! It's getting exciting. Less than 3 weeks to go!Read more
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- Jul 16, 2023, 7:10pm
- ☁️ 14 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Scotland Shetland Islands Ham Cro of Ham 60.132115, -1.13091360°7’56” N 1°7’51” W
Day 1
Leaving Lerwick Harbour
July 16, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
The journey has begun!
We left Lerwick on the Hrossey at 7pm.
If this were a movie I'd play Willie Hunter's tune.
I met with the rest of the Shetlanders sailing on the Statsraad Lehmkuhl. I'm nervous but excited! Accommodation is a reclining seat at the Bow! The boat is pitching, but hopefully I won't be seasick.
Still, I can't quite believe that this trip has started!Read more
Traveler So exciting.
7/22/23Reply
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Traveler Tall ships adventure
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- Jul 17, 2023, 10:00am
- ☁️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 59 m
- Scotland Aberdeen City Dyce Aberdeen Airport 57.199862, -2.20251357°11’60” N 2°12’9” W
Day 2
Taking flight
July 17, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
About to Fly out to Norway this morning.
First to Stavanger and then to Oslo. Flying with SAS all the way!
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- Jul 17, 2023, 12:20pm
- 🌧 15 °C
- Altitude: 26 m
- Norway Rogaland Fylke Sola Gimra Stavanger Airport, Sola 58.881895, 5.62886258°52’55” N 5°37’44” E
Day 2
Arriving in Norway
July 17, 2023 in Norway ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
After only 48 minutes in the air we touched down in Norway at Stavanger Airport.
We reached the international arrivals terminal by bus and had our passports stamped. As we were catching a connecting flight our luggage had to be re-cheched-in. We were initially directed to self service bag drop but the computer didn't work. So we all queued at the manned check-in.
After security we entered the serene environment of Norwegian airside.
Its very nice with quiet restaurants and lots of modern architecture.
The gates are displayed hours earlier than in the UK. Also, there are no 'final boarding calls'. It's so laid back. So Hygge!Read more
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- Jul 17, 2023, 4:50pm
- ☁️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 324 m
- Norway Akershus Eidsvoll Steinsby Gørstadtjernet 60.374542, 11.183860°22’28” N 11°11’2” E
Day 2
Stavanger - Oslo
July 17, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
We flew on an SAS A320 to Oslo. I sat in the last row. The flight was short, but because we were so far back. There was little time to drink the complementary cup of tea.
However the views from the window were really nice as we descended towards the Airport. I'm grateful that the clouds had cleared.

We all collected our hold luggage before meeting our bus only metres from the main entrance.

Next Stop Fredrikstad!Read more
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- Jul 17, 2023, 8:00pm
- 🌬 16 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- Norway Østfold Fredrikstad Gamlebyen Glåma 59.20463, 10.95248359°12’17” N 10°57’9” E
Day 2
Fredrikstad
July 17, 2023 in Norway ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
We rocked up here after a short but scenic bus ride from Oslo Airport. We encounted a few tunnels on the way.

The majority of sail trainees left the bus on the west side of the river before we were dropped outside the old town. We only had a short walk before we reached the quayside and set foot on the majestic Statsraad Lehmkuhl! We were all very tired. Once we'd been checked in we were given hammock numbers and led down below deck into the trainee living quarters. I was assigned hammock 62. I am part of Red watch. The ship is run by trainees working in 3 shifts red, white and blue. Red watch work from 12pm to 4pm and midnight to 4am.

I had a lovely evening, and a nice chat with Amy from the Western Isles and Alan from Newcastle.Read more
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- Jul 18, 2023, 10:00am
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- Norway Østfold Fredrikstad Gamlebyen Glåma 59.204644, 10.95238359°12’17” N 10°57’9” E
Day 3
All hands on deck
July 18, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Today was our first full day spent on board the Statsraad Lehmkuhl. We began the day with breakfast at 7:30. By mid morning we had fully mustered on deck, in rows by our hammock numbers. This was followed by getting our passports stamped by the Norwegian police.
We were all briefed on the safety protocols and how to put on survival gear.

We also learned about going aloft. In the afternoon we were introduced to the 4 physical watch positions.
Starting with the lookout based on the fo'c'sle deck, where everything capable of harming the ship must be declared using a bell system.
Next up was helm watch. This was followed by Buoy watch, which involves keeping a lookout at the stern for persons who may have fallen overboard.

Finally we were guided through, the fire watch. This involves walking the entire ship, checking that everything is ship shape. This must be done every half hour. The second job of fire watch is to mark the passing of time using a serious of single and double bell sounds.Read more
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- Jul 18, 2023, 2:00pm
- 🌬 18 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Norway Østfold Fredrikstad Ødegården Løytnantbukta 59.168072, 10.95701759°10’5” N 10°57’25” E
Day 3
Parade of sail
July 18, 2023 in Norway ⋅ 🌬 18 °C
Statsraad lehmkuhl was the first of the Tall Ships to leave Fredrikstad. At first we were towed down river backwards with the help of a tug before being turned around. We continued down river under engine power. The ship has begun to sway this way and that since arriving at the open seaRead more
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- Jul 19, 2023, 4:00pm
- 🌬 14 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- North Sea 57.928333, 6.61833357°55’42” N 6°37’6” E
Day 4
First watch cycle and new routine
July 19, 2023, North Sea ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
Last night we all mustered on board at midnight. We learned how to hold fast ropes on the pin rails. In the second hour I was on helm watch with John from Bergen.

I slept until 11:30 am, where lunch became a defacto breakfast.
Our second watch began at 12 noon. We learned the locations of sheets, braces, clew lines on the pin rails lining the deck.
I was on buoy watch for the first hour. I was there with oli from Bergen. We chatted about school, living in Norway and travel. Buoy watch is nothing more than keeping an eye out for a 'man over board'. We had our first experience of wet weather on this watch.
The rain began just 2 minutes before we started, lasting around 40 minutes. And it returned around 2:30.
By then I was posted on lookout at the bowsprit keeping an eye on the sea and horizon. When the rain came it just hammered into you.

Thankfully break time came at just the right time. Nico our watch leader let us step down to the cafeteria to warm up. There were 3 trays of warm chocolate cake with ganache. I even went back for seconds. And it was wonderful to get a warm cup of tea!

Surprisingly we had mobile signal. We were still far from the shore, but could see it.Read more
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