End of another over 60s outing

Gaudeo
John and Prue Quayle / John Quayle
Sat 15 Dec 2007 00:34
After a farewell lunch at the charming "Beach House Restaurant", little more than 4 yards from warm, turquoise sea, gently lapping silvery sand of a deserted beach, the over 60s outing came officially to a close and the last of the crew (JL & JS) returned to Blighty - RB departed on Tuesday; beat that for timing!

Activity since landing has been intense in preparation for arrival of the Boss on Tuesday 18th and the first of the young (Tamsin, Charlie, Bea and Arthur) on 21st - the others come out just after Xmas. Priority was given to the delinquent generator which tried our patience to the last minute. Some of the crew had found shoreside rum punches a satisfactory alternative for body temperature control and rehydration to the usual offerings from the boat`s refrigerator, and seemed less enthusiastic when power returned. The days since have been taken up with general boat maintenance and research for the best of the Island`s many beaches, restaurants, food markets, and exploring some of the inland delights.

Sailing the Atlantic has been an adventure of a lifetime for us all. Everyone got on extremely well and the crew who generously concealed irritation from the many idiosyncrasies of the skipper, could not have been better company.

Whilst writing the blog has been good fun, it was regrettable that photos could not be added but over the next few days, with the benefit of broad band transfer, some photos will be posted and more will be added later as copies are received from RB and JS.

JL as you probably imagine by now, considers photography a frivolous activity compared to the precise disciplines of astronavigation and was not to be seen brandishing anything as vulgar as a camera. Incidentally, should you spot a familiar figure in the late hours wandering up Pride Hill in Shrewsbury with a sextant slung around his neck, don`t call for men in white coats but help him time a star fix. Also, should you meet RB, don`t ask him about helping the skipper with the generator as it could bring on night mares; and don`t ask JS about bread making as you could be there all night.

Food was without doubt the magic ingredient for crew morale and as you have already heard, was of an extraordinarily high standard especially considering the boats constant rolling motion. I doubt whether any yacht has had such accomplished chefs as JS and JL so for the record book of nautical gastronomy, an account of some of their creations will also appear on the blog soon.