Flotilla – 5.7
Table of Contents
Last Full Day 1
Farewell Dinner 3
Buffet – pretty good – they have tried to please everyone 4
standard English stuff – p but also Greek -individual moussakas (nice touch) and them cheesy spring roles and, of course, a big Greek Salad. 4
The Prizes 4
Title and wording: 5
Last Full Day
No formal briefing
Late morning- Bridget circulating round the boats and surrounds – ticking off people on her clipboard list.
Joining us for dinner at 7.30? Of course.
Hotel rooms available any time after 4pm. – just check in.
Please clear all personal possessions from the boat before the end of the day. They will all be serviced tomorrow.
A printed list of pick up times for tomorrow’s departures – three different flights. Our coach for the airport at 11.30 – quite civilised.
Her parting shot – Don’t you miss our dinner’.
We are feeling more like our normal selves – time to freshen up and start putting aside stuff for packing – Jean’s speciality and has to go in – in the right order. Hotel room later, will allow a good sort out – proper showers etc. Just need to be logical for our departure tomorrow.
Fancy a bit of brunch? ‘Yeah – and coffee’.
Get ourselves presentable – ish – and up to the restaurant patio.
Still people on sunbeds and in the pool – Clear Skies and 38C!
Few people around but none of our gang,
Quite peckish, actually. Jean went for poached eggs on toast – and coffee, of course – and I copied her.
Poached always tricky – but they were cooked to perfection – The secret – dropped into very boiling water – stir the water vigorously first – like a whirlpool –few shakes of vinegar – whole egg into the centre – drain and serve.
Back to the boat – if a job needs doing – get it done.
I hunt around for bits and pieces – toiletries etc into the right bag’ Jean starts getting stuff in cases – always easier to pack to go home – who cares about creases.
Just need something half decent for this evening and the journey tomorrow _ I am fine with shorts all the way.
I mention an idea – how about I do a whip round for the lead crew – they deserve it. Most are on their boats now and it’s just a line of eight boats – and no sign of the lead boat.
She thinks that’s a good idea –
just need an envelope and would you believe Jean has a few in a zip of a suitcase – she must have been in the Guides.
I am off – boat by boat – no refusals and mostly 10 Euro notes and often some change – one or two will catch me later.
Quick look when I get back – must be nearly 100 Euros – buys a good round.
Another idea – I hadn’t mentioned this to you readers at the time – we only found out later that Roy and Woody had words when berthing at Kalamos – seems Woody wasn’t happy with Roy’s anchoring – and it apparently got a little heated – Roy being of a different mind. Just words – no blows – but threats to throw Roy and Bernie off the Flotilla.
We must have got in after it all settled down.
My idea – get Roy to present it to Woody at the dinner and shake hands.
She said – ‘are you going to ask Roy then’? – which translates in Jean speak as – ‘not a bad idea – but be careful with Roy’.
I hadn’t seen Roy first time round – both behind doors.
I try again – perfect – both in the cockpit – ‘permission to come on board, skipper ‘? No problem – even offered a drink – no thanks have to get back to Jean – I’m helping.
I just tell them about the collection – missed them first time round. Straight away – 10 Euros into the envelope.
Then – my idea – he thought for about five seconds and said – ‘Good thinking, Jim – I’ll even shake his hand’. The latter without any prompting from me at all.
Sorted –maybe better before we start the dinner – but really up to him left the envelope with them – and I was able to walk away.
Back to Jean – no problem – he’s just a softie really.
She just shook her head – but did pat me on the head – best I can hope for.
Jean done well – bags just about sorted and a bit of time in the morning to finalise and lock up.
Farewell Dinner
Got there a bit early. Time to pick some seats and order some wine.
Buffet looks good.
Got sat towards the top of the table and the lead crew – wanted to see Woody’s face later.
Bridget says Matt and Karen chose to visit their favourite place on the last night. I said that I had noticed that they ate at some funny times – either early or late – probably their constant changing shifts at work.
She asks what they do – ‘pilot and cabin crew’ –she didn’t say – ‘who does what?’ – she did say- ‘that explains something’ – ‘What ‘– ‘you’ll see later’.
Apart from Matt and Karen everybody apparently here and still sorting drinks – I catch Roy’s eye – he was halfway up and does well – says a few appropriate words- I didn’t have to help. – he asks Woody to stand and hands him the envelope and proffers his hand to shake which Woody accepted – Roy even slapped him on the shoulder (not hard).
I was right – Woody’s face was a real l picture – changed from – ‘What’s Roy going to do now’? to ‘complete astonishment’- and then just baffled and confused.
Needed Bridget to take the envelope and open it and do a nice thank you – ‘only doing their jobs and what a great group we had been. etc and the buffet is available – grab it while you can.’
Jean and I had a bottle of white and took our time – I said -; went OK then? She agreed.
My work is done.
Buffet – pretty good – they have tried to please everyone – plenty of
standard English stuff – pork pies – sausage rolls, fancy sandwiches – vol au vents, baked potatoes -etc but also Greek -individual moussakas (nice touch) and them cheesy spring roles and, of course, a big Greek Salad.
Plus, some surprises – Chinese and Asian finger food – even some labelled, vegan stuff and fairy cakes.
Spoilt for choice. As Jean’s dad, Ernie, would have said – “An elegant sufficiency’.
As the meal appears to be coming to an end – Bridget stands up.
The Prizes
‘At the end of every Flotilla we recognise the contributions from certain individuals or couples – not with money, I’m afraid but – something thar is worth more than money – a Certificate!
Now – I remember there were three – but I just can’t recall what one of them was for.
I do remember two of them – for obvious reasons –
• MATT – ‘The most professional radio broadcaster on the fleet – including the lead crew!’
I accepted on his behalf. He did get it the following day.
She added’ and I only found out – earlier this evening – why. He is a pilot for British Airways!
I couldn’t resist chipping in – ‘that’s why he always sounded like he was taking off from Heathrow.’
Next :
• ‘JEAN & JIM’ – winners of the ‘Chillout Zone Award for being the most relaxed sailors on flotilla’
I
I accepted with humility and no speech – it had already occurred to me to say that – ‘alcohol had contributed to the effort’ – but thankfully decided against. Still got a round of applause.
Very colourful certificate with a nice decorative border I still have it on my office wall- in pride of place next to all the academic ones!
Title and wording:
Chillout Zone Award
Congratulations to
Roxanne
On holiday with Neilson on Flotilla with, Woody, Bridget and
Pete, Jean and Jim demonstrated a supreme ability in chilling out and being the most relaxed sailors on flotilla.
NEILSON FLOTILLA 2004
Signed by:
Woody
Bridget
Pete
10/7/2004
Few of us – including the lead crew, pay a final visit to the Tree Bar – still only about 10 pm.
Crew insist on buying a round – they have a kitty! We thought it was a bit late for a cocktail – just tried our usual night-cap – brandy & soda.
Greek Metaxa brandy hand poured – thankfully it was the 5 Star – so very drinkable
A tip, when in Greece – never drink anything other than 5 Star Metaxa, even in a mix – the range goes down to 2 Star – which is very effective at stripping old paint off furniture!
Now thinking of going for a ‘Chilled Out Diploma’
Sensibly – we didn’t have another nightcap. All those left – had a busy day tomorrow – either, getting home or – in the case of the crew – the next flotilla arriving – like painting the Forth bridge every fortnight!
Hugs and handshakes, all round – and a short stagger, to another well-earned kip.