42:07.360N 008:50.769W

Whisper
Noel Dilly
Mon 6 Aug 2012 18:22
"Bayona - Monday 6th August"
 
Our Ocean Cruising Rally starts tomorrow, the past couple of days here has given us the opportunity to meet many of the other participants from various parts of the globe. There are two American yachts (one owner is a retired eye surgeon!); seven British; one Swiss; five Spanish; two Irish and one Austrian in all. The people we have met so far is an indication that it is going to be a very interesting few days. We have met at various places, the pontoon, the ATM in town, the bar, even the laundry room! Tasks take twice as long as exchanges of past trips and tips on that to do are passed on.  There is no such thing as "I will only be a minute"! We picked up a good tip from our neighbouring yacht, they have attended this rally twice before and recommended a folding trolley which they bought here two years ago and had recommended them to their fellow members. Evidently the shop sold out that year! The said bag was instantly produced and a demonstration followed. It is made of strong plastic with an alloy frame, a capacious bag and folds up neatly. They said that the shop currently had two in stock, so this morning we set off first thing, to first purchase our trolley and then continue to the super market. We were in luck, they had one left. Eagerly the purchase was made and with our folded bag in hand we set off to the supermarket. Now, personally having vast experience of cashiers whisking ones shopping under the scanner before hurtling it down the slope to fumbling hands trying to open a carrier bag which finally will not stay open under the pressure of the growing mound of items, I thought it prudent to try and unfold the bag in the street before I arrived any where rear the checkout! How I wished that I had paid closer attention to our friends demo - it was impossible. The instructions, of course, were secure inside the bag! Back down the street we went to the place of purchase and shyly indicated to the cashier that we could not open it. A closer observation of the following demonstration was made and we continued to the supermarket pulling our open trolley behind us! I have to say it was brilliant, carrying six bottles of water and several bottles of wine and much more.
 
Tomorrow, we have a coach trip into the mountains with a cocktail/dinner party in the evening at our rally organisers home. The"glad rags" are hanging out ready in the hope that the creases will have dropped out by tomorrow evening. The thought of trying to get off Whisper elegantly, she is moored stern to the pontoon, dressed up in a skirt is a problem I shall ponder over night!