As a new sailor, I had several stories about travelling through the Bay of Bisque. It is renown for its very uncalm seas and so we all prepared for a bumpy ride. Instead we were blessed with 48 hours of calm seas that were so much fun. The 12 to 4 Watch Team saw dolphins swimming around us in the phosphorus algae which was a wonderful treat that helps one be glad that they were the crew awake at that time of night!
The next morning I was sitting with my mp3 player enjoying some quiet time with God when the word "whale" echoed around me, and I climbed as fast as I could to the deck. I managed to see the back of the whale as he took a couple of dips. The team had seen two whales surfacing and diving as they followed us for a short period.
All of this wonder of nature just provides the most amazing backdrop for a group of young people, school staff and the ship´s crew to learn how to live out the teachings of Jesus. Our shool theme is ¨None shall live for himself¨and living on a ship with around 31 other people, there is
plenty of opportunities to see how much grace and mercy we need from God to live our life of faith. Over this sail time, the staff set up deck chairs and we started praying with each student. We asked God for him to show us how He designed each one. As we listened together, we heard amazing descriptions of each one.
At the end of the sail, we arrived in a small village called Castro Urdiales outside of Bilboa on the Northern end of Spain. It is so gorgeous and a fun place for us to spend one day ashore. It has beautiful hills around the village and a cathredral overlooking the harbor. Unfortuntely, I can´t upload photos here the library´s intranet center but I will do that later.
Interestingly, the village is 2000 years old and was started by the Romans. Today is part of the Basque region of Spain...one could spend several weeks here roaming the mountains. But instead, we will head off for Lisbon, Portugal tomorrow evening. The next sail is 4 1-2 days and we hope it is as calm as the last one.
After this short time at sea, I want to let you know that any movie you have seen about sailors and pirates that shows them walking straight on ships is fiction for sure! We are all walking like Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. That funny swerving walk he did in the movies is the real sailor at sea bouncing with the waves!
The next morning I was sitting with my mp3 player enjoying some quiet time with God when the word "whale" echoed around me, and I climbed as fast as I could to the deck. I managed to see the back of the whale as he took a couple of dips. The team had seen two whales surfacing and diving as they followed us for a short period.
All of this wonder of nature just provides the most amazing backdrop for a group of young people, school staff and the ship´s crew to learn how to live out the teachings of Jesus. Our shool theme is ¨None shall live for himself¨and living on a ship with around 31 other people, there is
plenty of opportunities to see how much grace and mercy we need from God to live our life of faith. Over this sail time, the staff set up deck chairs and we started praying with each student. We asked God for him to show us how He designed each one. As we listened together, we heard amazing descriptions of each one.
At the end of the sail, we arrived in a small village called Castro Urdiales outside of Bilboa on the Northern end of Spain. It is so gorgeous and a fun place for us to spend one day ashore. It has beautiful hills around the village and a cathredral overlooking the harbor. Unfortuntely, I can´t upload photos here the library´s intranet center but I will do that later.
Interestingly, the village is 2000 years old and was started by the Romans. Today is part of the Basque region of Spain...one could spend several weeks here roaming the mountains. But instead, we will head off for Lisbon, Portugal tomorrow evening. The next sail is 4 1-2 days and we hope it is as calm as the last one.
After this short time at sea, I want to let you know that any movie you have seen about sailors and pirates that shows them walking straight on ships is fiction for sure! We are all walking like Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. That funny swerving walk he did in the movies is the real sailor at sea bouncing with the waves!
looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteYou're loved muchly, Cathy!
ReplyDelete