We checked in with the usual paperwork required at each port of call and then motored over to our berth……. this is when it all went horribly wrong (for Karen anyway).    The pontoons were not unlike the French style pontoons,  ie. too short for the length of the boat and particularly bouncy.  However these had the added attraction of being shaped with a very narrow fin at the end about 5 inches wide.     All was going so well up until then, Karen got ashore with the lines as she has done on hundreds of occasions but there was one slight problem………. because the length of the finger pontoon was a little short, she needed to tie up at the back first and then run forward to ensure Persephone didn't bump her nose on the end of the pontoon.   This didn't happen,  it was slightly more difficult trying to tie up and the rope had was not quite secure when Nigel realised he was possibly going to run out of pontoon before the front was secure.   He therefore had to move off backwards but Karen was still trying to tie up and was still holding on to Persephone.   Karen then shrieked at Nigel   "I cant get back onto pontoon and if you keep moving back I am going in!"    Too late,  SPLASH, Karen was in.     (First time she has ever fallen off a pontoon!)      Karen came spluttering up to see 6 pensioners peering over the edge at her.   They were on a nearby motor yacht and had heard her shouting out her dilemma.     It is very difficult trying to get back up on a pontoon and there were no nearby rescue ladders.   She managed to swim to the end of the pontoon and was handed  a rope to wrap around her foot and thereby they helped her out!     Just a little bruised and scratched on her legs by barnacles.    Later that evening after a shower and change into clean clothes,  Karen went over to thank her rescuers.  They immediately insisted we came on board and have a drink with them…… each of them took great delight in regaling us with their  own experiences of "falling in".  We were grateful they were there to help, two of whom were in their late 80's! 

All's well that ends well and we went back to our boat and Karen cooked a delicious Moroccan Lamb Stew. 

Lets hope tomorrow is less dramatic!