Hi Connie, You're so right with all of them. I especially relate to the comedy afternoons. We used to have regattas come into our harbor and tie off three and four across sometimes. Talk about anchor rode challenges. Reading all those reminded me of an another event. You might get a chuckle................. I was 'polishing the brass' while in a wet berth - Moss Landing Harbor - then I settled on the V-Berth for a short snooze (lazy day) Then I heard bubbling water - sounds like it was about midships - the galley (a through hull?). So I jumped up to check, as I got to the galley, it sounded farther back, so I kept quietly going, as I tip toed to hear where it was, it sounded farther & farther toward the transom. As I stepped into the open cockpit area, an Otter surfaced off the transom, carrying his morning breakfast (he had foraged under the boat). He rolled on his back to wash & eat his prey and I watched him, fully relieved that the boat didn't have any leaks. Messing about in boats, Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: <chbenneck@juno.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 10:38 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: MIAB - The Wind In The Willows
Hi Gordon,
You are so right!
Let me add:
The quiet row around the anchorage just after dawn, inspecting other people's vessels, and having a quiet word or two with other sailors that are washing the deck or are starting to head out.
The splash of a fish.........
...........or on a dead calm day motoring back from Block Island, finding two leather backed turtles on the surface, with terns picking mites (?) off their necks, and being able to get close enough to really appreciate just how big they really are.
.........or the late afternoon comedy show, when new arrivals in the anchorage show their anchoring skills (or lack thereof) to the amusement of the uninvolved spectator, and anger and frustration of the poor man whose anchor rode is fouled (and who was there first).
We used to call this the Happy Hour Comedy Show.
........or the feeling of success and accomplishment that you get when you have navigated through heavy fog, and actually do arrive at where you were headed.
Rowing on the Connecticut river, upstream from Hartford, where it is only you, the birds and the wildlife, and peace and quiet.................. Blue herons at the shore, hawks, possibly an eagle or an osprey; bass chasing something......... a warm sunny day, and there you are.
Balm for the soul.
Yep, you sure can't beat messing about in boats.
Connie
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