Table of Contents
Memories 1
Trad Jazz 1
Squid Ink 2
Matt’s Kicker 3
Roy & Bernie 4
Nisos 4
Memories
I wanted to end the “Sailing’ series on a bit of a high.
There are many happy memories of our sailing adventures, over the years – most of which I can’t put a specific date to, or even a location.
let’s finish this post with a random selection – which have not appeared in previous posts..
Fiskardo
We did a number of memorable overnight stops in a place called Fiskardo, on the northern coast of Cephalonia – a real up-market resort
with a nice wide harbour and lots of amenities built into the quayside – water, electricity, showers and a wide choice of restaurants and bars – even a very cool cocktail bar – all a few metres from any berth.
We had been warned – it is so popular that unless you are looking for a berth early – i.e. 2 – 3 in the afternoon you might struggle – and cruising in at the end of a day’s sail after 18.00 you would probably have to turn around and go look elsewhere,
No advanced booking – why should they – they were full every night.
Free sailing – we had no problem getting in early – often having lunch there – and dinner and overnight and breakfast.
Berthed stern to the quayside – we could sit in our cockpit and survey the bustle of the quayside- the passing crowds – lots of bars right on the harbour edge – you could actually tie up to somebody’s chair, if you weren’t careful. Bit like goldfish in a bowl – some actually stopped to take a good look – but always entertaining.
Trad Jazz
Once – When we arrived and berthed, we could see that we were only about four boats down from a pretty large yacht which – we found out later -had six crew / passengers most of which were a trad jazz band.
About 8 pm – they appeared in their cockpit and about four on the quayside and struck up with ‘Frankie & Johnny’ – George Melly style and proceeded to a full hour of entertainment. To what became a crowded quay – berthed boats being the VIP seats.
Including – the few numbers, I remember/ recognised – ‘Abdul Abulbul Amir’, ‘Good Time George’ and finishing with a long version of ‘Anything Goes’.
Bloody brilliant!
Squid Ink
Another time -coming back from a bit of shopping during the day, we noticed that a small restaurant on the quay not far from our berth, had a stone-built extension from the quay jutting out into the harbour with just one table for four on it – with mood lighting right on the water. Lovely spot.
On the off chance – we stopped – had a look at the menu (very impressive) and had a word with the woman who looked in charge – it was booked for that night but available, after a cancellation, for the next night – happy to take two diners – we go for it.
Free sailing – we will just stop for another night – free and easy.
Lazy day in the sun – what’s new? Make a bit of an effort for dinner – i.e. I put a proper shirt on.
All of five minutes stroll – take our places – moonlight bouncing off the water and very comfortable temperature. Order my holiday pose – Campari and soda – Jean a G&T.
Menu – they had a daily special – today was:
‘Fettuccine nests in squid ink.’
Not something I was familiar with – certainly not in Birkenhead –
Jean had, had pasta and squid ink before – apparently – ‘let’s give it a go.’
Special place – special meal?
‘OK – I’m up for that.’ – I’ll avoid Campari in the future.
The point of this – is not just the memory of a special dinner with Jean.
– but the fact that –
The pasta was fantastic!
The black ink didn’t taste of ink – well I’m just guessing there – never having – you know …….
The dressing was like nothing I had tasted before – it was thick– like any other good dressing – and black – and clung to the pasta and had – well – a great taste. Slightly fishy but incredibly savoury.
We ate every bit of it. If you get the chance – give it a go.
First Flotilla
Matt’s Kicker
Leaving an overnight berth on the first flotilla – as I motored into open water – I saw a Neilson boat stationary in the water with a problem – I could see it was Matt and Karen’s boat.
It looked like he was on the deck trying to deal with something.
As I got a little closer – I could see that his kicker had come loose.
I won’t bore you with a detailed description of what a kicker is – suffice to say that it is a heavy metal support beam which connects the boom to the deck.
I didn’t know if he knew that that was the problem – so I got on the radio and called their boat. Karen answered as Matt was busy.
Said to her – ‘Does Matt know that his kicker has come loose’?
Slight delay – she is obviously talking to him – then responds – bear in mind that I had never heard Karen swear in the three weeks I had known her.
Karen – ‘Matt said – I know the f****ing kickers loose – because the f***ing thing fell on my f***ing head when it came loose.’
She repeated it clearly – word for word.
We did laugh, later.
Roy & Bernie
A reminder – Roy was a big lad who made no secret of having spent a few short periods in prison – mostly assault charges.
Met his partner, Bernie (I assume Bernadette) when she was a warden at his last open prison!
Some people avoided them – I found them interesting and had no problems with Roy – and she was a bit of a girl.
One time – I left the berthed boat to do some shopping – bump into them on the quay.
Say I’m looking for a shop where I can get some sailing gloves – hadn’t thought I needed any – but a few days of pulling ropes to hoist and lower sails my ‘office hands’ were suffering and losing skin.
Roy says – ‘you bloody wooffta’.
Nah, Roy – ‘I’m a lover, not a fighter’.
He laughs and moves on past me, followed by Bernie – who says as she comes alongside – in a whisper – ‘I knew that, Jim’ and a big wink.
As I said – bit of a girl!
You would have to be insane, of course!
Nisos
One day on the first flotilla – we hear an exchange on the radio – between Woody – ‘lead Skipper ‘and a fleet member who was worried about running out of fuel.
He says – ‘what’s your position? Bit of a delay and she says – ‘We are just south of Nisos’.
Woody – ‘No ‘Nisos’ is just Greek for ‘Island’.
Her – ‘I’ll try to find out’.
Ten minutes later – with no more response from them – Woody is on the radio to the fleet – ‘Can I ask if anybody has sight of the position of boat ‘Nicola’.
No speedy responses.
I couldn’t resist – I get on the radio – ‘This is Roxanne to lead boat- over’
Woody – ‘Hi, Jim – any news?
Me – ‘yeah, Woody – I think they are just south of Nisos’, Over.’
Woody – No Jim – Nisos is Greek for Island. over’.
Me – ‘I know’ Woody – it’s just a joke – sorry’
Woody ‘- With a resigned tone – ‘Very Drole, jim. Out’.
–
I did apologise properly – later that day – said – I just couldn’t resist it’. He was fine about it.
Bridget told us that her and Pete were rolling round the cockpit – wetting themselves laughing.
On other occasions I did get to entertain the fleet with a few.off the cuff- comments – particularly related to the fact that we hadn’t bothered to hire a handheld remote radio extension – first flotilla – just ignorant.
So, a radio call came into the switch in the lounge i.e. down below – and me in the cockpit had to get down the stairs to answer and then back up – if Jean wasn’t closer.
After two calls in close proximity – the second one got – ‘I am up and down them stairs like a blue-arsed fly’.
Next one – ‘I am up and down them stairs like a whore’s draws.
(translation, for those who need it- ‘Whore’s draws’ = ‘prostitutes knickers.’ –
For authenticity – has to be pronounced like my mother did when describing the rough pubs on Market Street near the docks in Birkenhead – She called them –
Whooer Shanties’.
As an example of their class – The New Dock Hotel – was colloquially referred to as’ The Blood Tub’. They stopped replacing the TV because it got smashed so regularly – mostly disputes about having football or horse racing on.
There are probably more good memories around – but my filing system isn’t as efficient as it used to be.
So – try sailing and get some of your own.