Today was the first day of the second course - or the second part of the course if that's easier to think of it as. And it was difficult. Well, I'm out of the room I was in, but, as often is the case, now I'm out I wish I was back; only person in a room with four bunk beds is much preferable to four people in a room with two bunk beds... the room is packed and I have pretty much no space still :( And it'll be like this for six weeks now... well, it's a challenge I'll just have to adapt to and make the best out of, I'm sure it will all work out fine, but it may take some getting used to. We had a tour for the benefit of the twelve guys joining the course today (yes, Carolyn is the only girl in a group of fourteen... at least it means she gets her own room... >:( ) and then talks from the head of catering and he head of accommodation and reception, both very lovely ladies, and very helpful. The guys seem to be cool, should be lots of fun with them, just need to get to know them better. After lunch we headed out onto the water, and were pretty much left to sail where we wished so that they could judge our competence.
Slightly scary, as quite a few of the guys have been sailing from childhood, and one has their own kayak with them, another their own paddle for the kayak. They seem quite a bit out of my league, but, hey, it doesn't matter, I'll get there. In some ways they have the harder job because it's likely (say the instructors) that they've picked up bad habits and will have to unlearn them... I'm hoping that levels our abilities... :S :S
The level required of us has, understandably, risen. This will be hard, but it should be possible. A lot of it involves simply getting our own ability to sail up. By the way, the next six weeks gets me my dinghy and kayaking instructor certificates.
Basically what we'll be doing in the next three weeks is sailing, sailing and more sailing. Sometime this week I'll be doing first aid and powerboat courses so that will get them out the way quickly. at some point there will be meteorology tests and radio ones too. we'll see how it goes, lots more detail, WAY more intense, Saturday afternoons should be devoted to one-on-one mentoring sessions so basically mostly a free afternoon. Oh, did I mention that as well as being out on the water pretty much all day every day, that there will also be some evening sessions of theory and video-something - watching videos recorded when we were on the water to pick up on ways to improve. So that will be some evenings filled up too :D yep, intensity has doubled, definitely.
It's also weird being in a big group. I'm still adjusting to all the changes thrown up today so this isn't the shortest or most cohesive blog, I'll try and better it tomorrow, as I always do. Used my phone for the last few days as the Internet was down over the weekend, but it's back up and running now so it's fine. Enough for tonight. That gives everyone more than enough to be getting on with. Long one tonight, lots on my mind.
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