Well, as Stephen (yes, the trolley shopper, shooting and sailing expert) and Alison were heading this way we thought that we would stay around and be sociable. They might not be as positive about our decision but we were happy with it. So, some wandering around the town, Candie gardens (restored Victorian garden, lovely) browsing in the chandlery at Boatworks + etc followed. A reminder of how dangerous the rocks around here can be was on display in the boat hardstanding area. Here is the bow of a large Trader motoryacht:
See how easily rocks grind a hole in fibreglass hulls? From the side:
and yes, there is a nice big hole that would let in water before you ask. Similar stuff was evident at other spots along the keel . Wonder how much water damage there was inside.
Naming boats has always been fun for a few people. We named ours very conservatively (Rockland is one of the Norfolk Broads and a past sailing haunt of the Captain's). when we had a boat on the Thames we particularly liked a Birchwood cruiser called "I'm Fluffy Duck too". Imagine radioing anyone - total embarrassment. There was, of course, the obligatory "The Office". Where are you off to? - I'm going to the office kind of conversations. For some reason there was also a small launch called "Double egg, sausage chips and beans". The name ran most of the length of the hull.
Well, a sense of fun is evident here too in the naming of this dinghy, the tender to a fishing boat moored in the harbour:
The eagle-eyed might spot a Nordhavn 47 in the background too.
We fed Stephen and Alison on Thursday evening. they were berthed inside the Victoria marina - we stay out in the harbour as we are deemed too big for the marina, Hence we had to collect them in our little "rubber flubber" dinghy. That was OK but the wind really picked up during the evening and the harbour got a bit rough. The trip back was interesting in the English sense of the word as was sleeping that evening with the background soundtrack of groaning ropes, fenders, waves slapping against the hull etc etc.
Luckily it cleared through so we could enjoy a lovely sunset over the harbour and town the next day:
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This is such a chilled, compact and pretty place to spend time in. Let's see how busy it gets when the UK Bank Holiday boats arrive - we intend to stay for a while longer and visit Herm.
An observation on Guernsey - naturally the town has lots of suited types who work in the now disgraced financial services sort of world. We spotted that many of them seem to have suit trousers that show off lots of sock - often colourful things that are a little out of keeping with the pin-stripe suit above. The question is, are their bonuses now so low that there are forced to buy ill fitting off the peg suits from Asda on a day trip to the UK or, is this fashionable. Alison assured us this was high fashion. We leave the last word to the trendy mens magazine GQ mag website.
No matter what, we still snigger at them. Not just because we think they look silly but also because they still go to work. Strange outmoded concept.
On arriving at St Peter Port Guernsey our lines were taken by Richard and June who were already in port with Rockland.
ReplyDeleteThe following day we were invited on board for a most wonderful dinner of locally caught haddock followed by multiple portions of excellent rhubarb crumble. The evening kicked off with champagne and moved on to fine wines to accompany dinner, this was rather testing for us as we don't normally drink !
Sadly this magnificent hospitality must come to an end as we continue our passage south and Rockland having refuelled is heading north to Scotland .
With many thanks to Richard and June and wishing you fair winds until our wakes cross again.
Stephen and Alison
SV Magic Time
Why thank you. Of course, you have raised the bar now for future visitors who will expect Cordon Bleu dining and will leave most disappointed.... We do feel the need to offer one comment though. You both have very poor memories if you claim that you never drink...... Perhaps too much Jungle Juice is upsetting your ability to recall your normal daily consumption figures???
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