Ports Are No Good
August 20, 2008 Alongside Weather: Early showers, calm. “Ports are no good – ships rot, men go to the
devil.” So one of Joseph Conrad’s first mates said as he got back on
board after a night on the grog while their ship was berthed in I guess for those of us who have spent most of their lives at sea time
on shore can be difficult. At sea there is always the simple demand of
the destination ahead, each day looking after the boat – and, ipso facto,
yourself into the bargain – especially a sailing vessel where you have to
work with the elements to keep her safe and moving in the direction you want to
go and not in the direction the wind and sea want to push her.
Ashore goals and aspirations quickly become confused amongst the mass of people
and the complications that seem to multiply with each moment. Three days in port – it’s a worry. The laundry is done and the photos are posted to the blog. Today
I will get some fresh supplies in, then it’s a matter of waiting for the
weather. The outlook is not good. I think we are going to have to
accept headwinds, but we will wait at least until it isn’t a dead muzzler
or quite so fresh. Bob Cat: Ah, the human condition, consciousness is not something the rest of
creation has been burdened with. My motto: Think less, sleep
more. Zzzzzz. |