LIFE THE BERMUDAN WAY
Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Tue 27 May 2008 15:22
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In true Bermudan style the crew is currently very
relaxed...I don't think 'stress' is a word that made it as far as this little
island!
Since our arrival on Sunday we've been taking stock
and getting used to life back on land. Yesterday was "Bermuda Day" - a day to
celebrate the Bermudan way of life through carnivals and parades and parties
etc. I think nearly the whole island lined Front Street and it's a bit rude to
call the food they brought a 'picnic' because it was more like a banquet! Each
family had a gazebo and folding chairs and enough food to feed
armies.
Things were due to kick off at 1330 but (this is
Bermuda!) the parade didn't reach us until about 1430. We were standing opposite
the governer and premiere in their sheltered bandstand area and saw processions
of floats, dancers, a group of Hell's Angels (who went around and around on
their growling bikes obviously relishing the opportunity to honk their horns as
loudly as possible and not be reprimanded for it!), drummers, traditional
displays of Bermudan culture etc. We stayed for about two hours but then thought
we'd seen enough - we did feel slightly sorry for the governer who cleary had to
stay for all six hours of it!
The skipper spent the afternoon assisting Henry
with modifying the gimbles on his cooker and Henry thanked us by having all four
of us onboard Ariel for drinks. Poor little boat - her bow definitely rose in
the water as the six of us sat comfortably in the cockpit! We had some delicious
champagne courtesy of Myf (thank you so much!) and then Alan and Sarah returned
to Aquila to prepare a supper for all of us...poor Henry and Jez looked slightly
lost inside Aquila's 'roomier' cabin!
This morning has so far consisted of sextant
lessons and arranging social events with Bermudan's governer and other people of
note. Mummy and Pippa did a food shop (in a supermarket stocking Waitrose food
of all things!) and Sebastian had an explore of the town. The plan for this
afternoon is to go and see more of Bermuda's sights...a lighthouse and some
marshes or something.
Looking forward to Tom and Ian's arrival on
Thursday.
The traditional Bermudan dancers...
 More of the festivities...
 Onboard Ariel for drinks - thank you Henry and
Jez...
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