What’s the Story in Dalamory

I grew up with the threat of the Four Minute Warning hanging over my head. At my secondary school it was seriously discussed that we should get under our desks if the siren sounded. What good that would do in the event of a nuclear attack I do not know. Nowadays, terror takes other forms. It seems that heightened security alerts do much to improve the status of the current leader in the States – and after all, it is an election year.

More worryingly, the upset, panic, despair caused by the fear of further attacks are actually achieving a purpose in themselves. The terrorists are already achieving part of their perceived aim to destabilise western society. During the Cold War we grew up, fell in love, lived our lives as if none of the threat was real. That option is not open to us now. We can see evidence to prove it is real. What is it all going to do to the collective consciousness of human beings? I am a theologian (of sorts) and I claim to hold to the hope of eternity. So I shall keep hoping.

Fox, the cat, has had a traumatic homecoming from the cattery. First off, he ran everywhere at top speed, obviously very cross at the changes in vegetation etc that had happened in his absence. Then he insisted o­n head-butting every human in sight. Thereafter, he yarled in the garden for ages. And the latest is a genuine hissing, spitting and fur-flying fight with the tomcat from three doors away.

Still – it is nice to have him back. o­nly I hadn't realised quite how much like Garfield he is.

Dana Dog is thoroughly enjoying her holiday with friends. If she tries to tell me otherwise, I shall just show her the pictures.

Voice exercises are going better. Wish the voice was.

Back in “real time” again….. the sunshine, view and lack of cooking and chores were all great thank you! The extracts from boating journals are in stark contrast to the sad state of Halcyon of Seil as the estimates for repair are awaited. Sadly, it looks as if the outcome will be that the boat is effectively a write-off. (Constructive Total Loss is the marine insurance term.) However, we have to wait for the wheels to grind. Everyone pulled out the stops to do the initial salvage work, but o­nce the urgency is no longer there, the impetus is somewhat lost.

What a lot of washing of things that have been under the waves. Some have miraculously survived, (such as two brandy glasses), others are so rust-stained as to be useless – a favourite shirt of the Captain springs to mind.

From Boat Log: Wednesday 23 July 2003

Early o­n the Captain had to do a propellor-freeing plunge overboard in yucky yellow water (hopefully algae and nothing worse). In a lunch-time stop, Halcyon impersonated a tree-house. All was going smoothly until a branch slowly lifted the barbecue skywards……

So you see, boating is not without its hazards even in a supposedly calm environment. A bit like life really. Things can often go wrong….the trick is to focus o­n the good things.

Extract from Thursday 17 July 2003

The unpredictability of the automated locks and their keepers causes a great deal of inconvenience o­n some occasions, whereas when working at their best they are fantastic. The main problem seems to be over their arbitrary hours. Punctuality is o­nly assured when approaching lunch or finishing-up time. And when they go wrong, as has happened o­n a couple of occasions, we seem to engage in a complicated dance of going into the lock, tying up, reversing out, mooring – then the lights go green, all the aperitifs go flying about, hammers and stakes are rapidly thrown aboard and we resume the dance again.

Still….at least the waters are calm and flat….even if tempers can get a bit frayed.

Also from 14 July 2003 Journal….

Cockpit showers have become a feature and are much appreciated. But we could do with buying at least o­ne new o­ne. (These are solar showers….ideal in the heat.) In the books about liveaboards, they go o­n great adventures, wear next to nothing, eat gourmet home-caught food, never get sunburnt and are fit and lithe. I suppose it says much that we seem to need to visit a Pharmacie in every other town and have pill-trolley twice a day.

That is what comes of getting older I suppose…..

From Boat Journal: Monday 14 July 2003

10-50hrs Just past Tournos
Have just negotiated a lock the Captain had not noticed o­n the chart. o­ne forgets how active a boating holiday is – particularly aboard Hal. In the bleak days of an Argyll winter o­ne dreams of lazy days, gently floating in endless sunshine – but the reality goes from the extreme of gales and 20ft waves to baking heat that the 1st Mate claims to love, but which renders her near unconscious.

Still….I suppose it is good to be forced to relax….

From Journal 12 July 2003

Pharmacies have again yielded much entertainment. So far we have purchased French anti-mosquito jelly, sunscreen, a very useful large box of plasters and paracetemol. The French seem to be fonder of pharmacies than the Brits. But then every little French village has its full complement of wee shoppies (boulangerie, charcuterie, salon de beaute – 2 of the latter, o­ne for humans and the other for dogs.) We like France and the way the French seem to enjoy life.

It is easy enough to enjoy life o­n holiday…..the secret is to make the most of life wherever and whenever…..