Part V : Remember Fi? Don't Lose The Magic!
We were never alone really…from the tricks your eyes play in the dusk
turning clouds and waves into strange shapes to the texts received frequently asking for updates . Alan monitored progress from Portsmouth and his encouragement and Paul’s belief in us always motivated us on the boat. Other texts came in too with supportive words and jokes…thank you! (You know who you are!xxx) The fabulous man on duty as ‘Malin Head Coastguard’ who organised our Rescue had us in stitches as he called us ‘Charley Sailor’…then ‘Jolly Farmer’ on the radio! We’ll be eternally grateful for your calm presence sir.
(BTW thanks to my work colleagues who have mastered the delicate Irish technique of giving recognition while simultaneously taking the you-know-what…by christening me ‘Captain Pugwash’ immediately on my return
We were kept in our place too by the cheerful gentleman in Donaghadee who listened intently to our tale and retorted ‘Shure ye’d have gone round quicker in a yacht’
)
Ireland is peopled with memories…the South for me; the North for Fiona. So the place- names brought back so many memories of people and events... RIBnetters were there too!!! Rogue Wave’s adventures in Courtmacsherry, the Cork group around Crosshaven, Brian Elliot’s eloquent account of his recent trip, J and SW in Scotland, the NI group, the Dublin lot, the patron saint of radios St. Jon Brooks, the NWR and Cookee working in the Isle of Man. (If we’d only had a clear day…
)
And there was a lot of time to talk about ….well just about everything. And people! The boat was full of people we loved.
A few small-minded people we threw off the boat at regular intervals as they put in an appearance in the conversation!!! Some we made walk the plank because of their general meanness of spirit
The stars won out…especially Liz and Alan for entrusting their boat to us, an amazing hubbyxxx, the fantastic people we met in Donaghadee and the brilliant people of a little town called Fahan in Co. Donegal.
The most difficult time was not the rope incident; we were angry and disappointed we couldn’t get out of that one under our own steam. The really bad night was the long passage from Clare round Donegal and through Tory. We were frightened, simple as that. But the biggest battle wasn’t with the boat (she’s a beauty) or with the sea (she was a you-know-what
) but with our own emotions and thinking. That was the real challenge … and nothing I’ve learned in my training courses could have prepared me for that experience. Fiona if Alan thinks we had guts
they certainly got a good workout that night
But it all started and ends with people.
And guts.
Have a look at the charity website if you get the chance and if you think it’s worthwhile please send a pm as Alan said and we’ll make sure any contribution goes directly to them. They’re working for the genuinely brave adults and children who are faced with a big change in their lives and lifestyles. May I say a humble congratulations to the people of
real courage. The hope is by doing the trip and publicising it there can be assistance for you to get the resources and support you need.
Hats off to people who face life’s journey every day with quiet and unsung bravery.
Never mind gallivanting around Ireland on a
Jolly.
Shure anyone can do that
Missus
CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS!
Nice to see you
