Windjammer - part two

There are passengers who want to do more than stare out of portholes, take pictures and write an occasional sentence.

Below, Hans from Holland is at the helm. I try and it's not easy to control a sailing vessel of Star Clipper's size. The navigating officer sets a course - 235 - and other passengers brace as a tall ship novice - me - sweatily (and briefly) grips the wheel. Hans, on the other hand, is a natural and spends many hours keeping us headed in the right direction. 

He's watched by the charming Peter - a German U-boat veteran. Never, given the casualty rate, did I expect to spend time with a survivor of the wolf packs. And certainly not on a tall ship. 

Other passengers help with lines and climb the rigging. I make it up the ratlines to the crowsnest, completely forgetting my camera.

The captain gives talks on the sails, manoeuvring, setting course, navigation and so on. 

But there's plenty of time for relaxing, talking and just looking.

In the evenings, corridor and cabin socializing. From the left, Don from Michigan, Ron from British Columbia, Pete - another former submariner - from New Hampshire and Jode, Don's wife.

In confined quarters but with plenty of wine, Jode, Pete and Don.

Each night at sunset, an accordion comes out. We gather near the wheel to sing 'Salve Regina.'

'Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.'

It is the ancient vesper hymn that Colombus' men sang as they crossed to the New World.