Corsica!

Corsica is a really beautiful place, we just did a five hour hike and saw all sorts of neat views as well as the plant that grow around (cactii among other things). The sail here was amazing, we saw a comet, hundreds of shootin stars, hurricane force (80 knot) winds, a squall and we got to swim in the Med. Definetly my favourite sail so far. The storm we encountered had us up against the aforementioned winds, 20 foot waves and a wall of rain for about 5 minutes (sounds like Vancouver, I know). The boat was rocking so much that it woul tilt all the way till the rail is under water, then tilt the other way and all of the water would rush across the deck, drenching those of us on daywatch. Thankfully it was warm water; it ended up being really fun. I didn't really get any pictures during the sail but I'll upload my pictures of Corsica and also the crafts I'm currently working on (a necklace with a charm from each port, a knitted balaclava)

Last day in Portugal

Today I am going to Porto, the second largest city in Portugal. Although Portugal has been fun, it's just about time to get moving to Corsica. Midterms are coming up right after so we are all a little anxious, but I think I will do well. My averages in physics, math and bio are currently about 95, 97 and 96 respectively, but due to the way Nova Scotia runs its curriculum is kinda weird, so midterms are worth 50% of your midterm mark, and then that combined midterm mark is worth 25% of your final mark, with 25% being your averge during the second half of the year and 50% being one final test. 80% of that test is written and (no matter which class) 20% is oral. I, personally, find oral physics a bit weird but to each his own.

Lisbon

In Lisbon today, some cool stuff here. We found this one castle with a crazy view of the entire city, still need to put the pictures onto the Internet. Everyone onboard is already thinking if their parents and malta.

Aveiro

Today we went to a museum of Portugese cod fishing, which happened mostly in Newfoundland. Interestingly they felt very strongly about one of their sailors having beaten John Cabot on his voyage, although I'm sure the Italians feel the same way. Afterwards we listened to the Canadian ambassador to Portugal discuss relations between our two countries. It was so stuffy that even the town's mayor, who was also in attendance, was starting to nod off near the end. All in all a very educational day.

Portugal

Just got into Portugal after 8 hours of Customs inspections! Pictures tomorow if I get a chance. Had a great thanksgiving off the coast of Spain, which was definetly cool.

Just forgot to mention

On the way over to Ireland we passed close to another tall ship called the Bounty. Apparently it was the ship used as the black pearl in the Pirates of the Carribean movies, which was really cool. Also before being able to disembark in Dublin we had to pass a lines test, which means that I am now able to tell you where the outer jib jigger and t'gallant bunts are.

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GeoTagged, [N53.34471, E6.26727]

Farm

Today we went to a traditional Irish farm and had tons of fun. Activities that we did include chasing pigs, Irish dancing and peat bog wrestling. I'll try and add my pictures from today. I also found a yarn store in Dublin and am relearning how to knit so that I can make myself a nice warm balaclava for the ocean wind. Also on the craft front, I decided to buy a charm from each port and attach them to a necklace I made before I left. From Horta I got a little whale bone charm and then I got a little Celtic knot at a gift store here. I also checked out a second hand store with some friends an we got a bunch of really nice sweaters for about three euro each.

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Dublin!

GeoTagged, [N53.34471, E6.26727]

Arrived yesterday in Dublin, it's really neat here. Today we took a walking tour around Dublin that was focused on the uprising of 1916 against the British, the timin I interesting because two days ago they ratified their entry into the EU. Apparently the first vote only a few months ago was no, but the government took the position that they really wanted it to happen and they would keep voting until it did. This of course was the opinion of someone who voted no.