So here I am again, after an unbelievable last minute opportunity, sat up in a bunk aboard a Greenpeace ship and writing a little blog. It seems a lifetime since May when I was aboard the Esperanza heading towards the Arctic, and it's been a busy time since.
As soon as I was released from custody in Greenland and reached home I packed what things I had left and quickly made my way to Glastonbury where I was volunteering as part of the Greenpeace build crew, before and after the festival, and as part of the maintenance team during it.
Glastonbury is always the highlight of my year, and in fact it was the thought of being there that really helped my time in jail as one of the Arctic 18 pass more easily. I really hung on to the thought of being surrounded by like-minded people at the greatest of all festivals and the gathering together of Greenpeace volunteers and staff from around the country, all working together to make our field happen and then hanging out together around the camp fire after a hard days work.
Returning from Glastonbury I resumed my role as a volunteer in the Greenpeace UK warehouse, and we got on with the business of packing away all the kit sent back from Esperanza as well as all of the 1001 odd jobs that keep the warehouse ready for action. It was also time for reminiscing about our Arctic campaign, and wondering how all my ship mates were getting along, not to mention the fact that some of us (mainly me) had no idea as to the true identity of one of our hardest working shipmates Paul.
Then a couple of months later, as the Rainbow Warrior approached London, it was my role in the Greenpeace UK's boat team that started the chain of events leading me to sail away on-board this beautiful ship.
We’d formed a flotilla of Rhibs that greeted her as she sailed up the Thames and after a long week helping deliver supplies and ferrying crew and guests back and forth, by land and by sea, I volunteered over the weekend, when she was open for our amazing supporters to see her and walk her decks. I think the excited looks on people’s faces and the silently mouthed “wow” that slipped from many a mouth, kept me going despite the long hours and growing tiredness.
People love this ship, she just has something about her, a real presence, she is a vessel for peoples dreams of a better world as she goes out to bear witness and take non violent direct action against those who would harm our beautiful planet and it was a real honour to be involved in some small way with the ship and her amazing crew.
I guess someone saw that I'd been helping out in a great many ways and with a couple of spare bunks, when I asked if it might be possible to volunteer on board, at the very last minute the details, and the permissions, and the checks all came together and I found myself sailing aboard the Rainbow Warrior III.
As we approach Stockholm, whenever any of us go on deck and gaze up at her sails we are all filled with awe and a deep love for the ship, and as I write this blog, I can hear the sea gliding across our bows.
I still can't quite believe it to be honest, I can’t believe how lucky I am, what an honour it is and how very special our new Rainbow Warrior is. I can’t help but think back to the beginning of my journey with Greenpeace. A visit to check out my local Greenpeace group/network in Islington, the first time I volunteered to help out with a local event, the circumstances that led me to volunteer on the Esperanza, in the warehouse, as part of the boat team, for the open boats and then on board.
On my return I’ll be back to my local group/network in (now) Waltham Forest, and if you’re local please come join us. We meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month. Or wherever you live check out your local group/network and start your own journey…
If you'd like to volunteer with Greenpeace, there are dozens of different ways you can get involved, without ever going to sea. Please get in touch with your local network coordinator, turn up to the next meeting, volunteer to help out at the next event and see where your journey leads.
We need your help.
Comments