[Regia-NA] sailing Viking ships

[Steve Etheridge]

Hi, All

Managed to get back from Denmark alive and undrowned - despite my best 
efforts!  Seriously brilliant fun

If anyone wants to learn how to truly sail a longship, then I recommend that 
they go on the course that I attended.  It'll be run again next year, so 
you've got plenty of time to save up!  Proper instruction on traditional 
boats from day one, backed up by lectures from a veritable who's who of 
Danish boat archeology and reconstruction.  I learnt so much that I feel 
like I've been there a week, rather than a month.....

Plus the boat museum, of course, and the Skuldev 2/4 replica that is nearing 
the end of it's consruction.  (It'll be launched next year - they could 
launch it sooner, but it brings in the tourists).  Once they have got up 
suitable sea trials (probably 2007) they plan to sail it to Ireland, where 
the original came from.  They may need crew....)

Hpefully I'll be able to scribble down something of what I've learned so 
that we'll be able to put it into practice on our ship replicas (I'll have 
to have a word with Phil and Kim on a few things...).  The thing is, it's 
impossible to write down what has to be learned by the seat of your pants, 
by example, and by trying things out.

Let me just repeat, this is a seriously good course.  Although not designed 
for the Re-enactor, it seemed to fit (even if Poul, the chief instructor was 
a little bemused by the concept....)  Most of the the attendees were 
re-enactors, and there was a good feeling running throughout the whole of 
the week.  No experience is necesary - just the desire to get stuck in.

If you have any interest in Longships at all, this is the course to go on.

Steve

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