Barely a soul in the Tavern all day due to the magnificent Tall Ships in the harbour down the hill. Even I was out and about.
Hobartown saw them arrive yesterday and today they were all sitting in their finery alongside the wharves. So - Food for the Sailor's Soul.
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| The 'Europa' leads a long line of Sail and is welcomed by more. |
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| From the upper balconies of the Tavern, with a spyglass. The Lord Nelson makes her way up the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
The weather turned out well for the arrival and for the crowds today. Every boat swarmed with interested wannabe adventurers.
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Not that my pockets would have held enough to pay for the privilege.
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Fit for crows.
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A few thousand miles from land in a force eight gale up there on that platform for the 'night watch', is not the most attractive holiday I could think of.
Ahh, but.... the salt air, the wind in your face, the stars above, a 'sound' cook in the galley. What more could a chap ask for.
A horse !
Better, an aeroplane..... each to his own.
But back to earth and sea.....and a bite.
This chap had been standing for three hours motionless 'being' a statue. Heck, one has to have something to entertain the kiddies. But even still-life needs a lunch break, even if it means having to take his fake moustache off.
Methinks he is better off down there than up in the crows nest.
Of interest.... in harbour today were the 'Lord Nelson', the 'Lady Nelson', (after whom Mount Nelson takes its name) and the 'Emma Hamilton'. Those with a nose for rum and history will know that Emma came between the great Sea Lord and his Lady for a while, but the harbourmaster here sensitively berthed them well apart.
Talking of rum..... A toast to me hearty friend James.
Going back more than a few years... I had a dream to sail on one of the small sailboats that journeyed around the islands of Yugoslavia (as it was then).
ReplyDeleteI never quite got around to it before a certain course of events took place which led to the tour operator (obviously) going out of business.
I probably should investigate what is on offer now, there is bound to be something comparable that I would enjoy :-)
Those Tall Ships also remind me of this:
Sea Fever
BY JOHN MASEFIELD
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking,
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
I would heartily recommend you find and take a modest trip on a sailing boat, Cherie. It is lying deep in your heart, waiting.
DeleteFine sight indeed.
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