Almost there - life at sea!

It's Friday afternoon and we have been at sea since last Saturday as I write. No one in our family has been sea sick as the sea has been mainly calm.  The ship has a very slow roll and until the last few days, hardly any pitch so it has been comfortable sailing.  We have even managed to leave the clothes -airer out for the time at sea without it collapsing. Thanks to everyone who prayed for calm seas. The flip side is, I will have to exercise my Texas pot belly off!

School started on Tuesday for the boys. Jack is in a class of six, in grade six, which is Junior High school Onboard. Mark is in a class of two with Eli. Harry is in grade one, in a class of five. They are all tired but managing well with all the changes that have happened since we left Australia. All have made friends and seem to be getting used to the ships routine. The classes are combined for some activities like PE, art, music and French. As the PE teacher won't be arriving until mid September, another Mum and I are temporarily filling the position. I'm glad I did that Active After school training and junior hockey coaching with my club - First item in the syllabus is hockey! I currently have 5 students in the grade 9-12 class,  9 in the grade 6-8 class and 8 in the grade 4-5 class. Attached is a picture of the play area where we have PE. It is challenging to keep everything safe with the ships movement whilst making it fun and getting the kids energy out. It's a good interim fit for me.

Mick is watch keeping for the first time since 1994. He has the forenoon and first watches (8-12 morning and night) which is a family friendly combination. We get to see him for every meal as dinner is at 5pm. He is finding it very interesting to see how a non Navy vessel operates especially with a big crew turnover. He had his first solo watch last night.

As for me, I'm working hard on keeping the boys on track. I have a meeting with the Staff Development manager tomorrow and may end up working for him. 

Jacks turn "under the line" on the Limbo

Sunday afternoon saw our first non Navy Crossing the Line Ceremony.King Neptune was busy with other vessels - as was his Queen ( Thank Goodness! ) and all the members of the Royal Court. Nevertheless, we had a fun afternoon on the bow deck getting all the Polliwogs to go Under the line - with a limbo, pull each other over the line - with a Tug o war competition and then a dance across the line with a giant Conga line around the deck.  The boys were all "Polliwogs" but have the luck to cross at the Prime Meridian. So they will be Diamond Shellbacks rather than regular ones.