42:07.360N 008:50.769W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Mon 6 Aug 2012 18:22
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"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!
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