Keep calm and get into Mischief. 30th May
3rd June 2017
Adventurous
Skipper David Tipton, farmer and gin pourer is accompanied for ARC Portugal by
a glamorous pair of docking queens, his gorgeous partner Wendy Knight, AKA
Commander and his "scare-pirate" and only staff member Anita
Nickelson. They have welcomed onto the boat a small mouse named Mabel,
who has aspirations to become Admiral of the ARC Portugal fleet over no less
than Andrew Bishop. She is seen here cautiously negotiating Southampton water
after having organised the salvage of a small blue fender called Barbie wearing
a matching fitted jacket.
Visibility
as we entered the Needles Channel was poor. Mabel was very relieved she'd
procured more sophisticated electronic equipment for the boat. She satisfied
herself it was money well spent as she watched her crew navigate safely through
the fog. In Weymouth we were moored ready for an early departure for
Dartmouth. A kindly, toothless fisherman aided a smooth mooring praising the
local Yates's steak that we declined.
The
following day we negotiated the inner channel between Portland Bill and the
Shambles and were rewarded with calm seas and a little shortcut towards
Dartmouth.
Sadly
Mabel was terribly disappointed that Her Majesties Navy fleet did not organise
a guard of honour to celebrate our arrival. She was however, relieved she
wouldn't have to consider running aground in the Dart.
Dartmouth is of strategic importance as a deep-water port for sailing
vessels. It has a rich assortment of historic buildings, but perhaps unusually,
four of the town’s oldest buildings are also pubs. Mabel greeted this
news with much excitement and seeing this, the Skipper decided all crew should
be rewarded with Exmoor Ale and a glass of Malbec in the Cherub Inn.
The
convivial establishment was first recorded in a document in 1380. For most
of its life it was a house, it spent some time as a shop and local knowledge
suggests a brothel at some point in its illustrious history. It has now
thankfully for the crew on Mischief been
converted into a pub. Only the Skipper was disappointed it had not
remained a brothel.
The next
day as we entered Plymouth harbour entrance, the Skipper was delighted to see
his "favourite rock in the world", Shag rock protruding erect and
familiar.
The Royal
Corinthian yacht club hosted the first of many suppers to be enjoyed with the
ARC. It is situated on the water’s edge between The Barbican and Plymouth
Hoe. Magnificent sea views over Plymouth Sound greeted our eyes as Andrew
Bishop the Director of the company showed us the start line for the race which
on that evening was bathed in sunlight. We met many of the other cruisers but
were most pleased to be reunited with our dear friends Gary Clements from
Arcarius, Neil from Serendipity and Trevor and Jean who have crewed on
Serendipity. The evening ended in the very convivial surroundings of Jolly
Jacks where we indulged in our favourite tipple whilst reminiscing about passed
adventures we'd enjoyed together.
Friday
30th May, an imported day the rest of the crew arrived, the "London
set" who brought sophistication to Mischief to complement the existing
crew members. We welcomed the lovely Lisa and her partner, great sailor Dave
who was to become Dave's first mate across Biscay. Dave? Did someone say Dave? Yes
Dave! Great Dave! Mabel looked on, perusing this complicated situation
and reached the conclusion that communications would be more effective on board
if we were all called Dave.........
Later
last night at the welcoming evening Andrew Bishop suggested we change our name
badges to our preferred name and from that moment all crew on Mischief go by
the name Dave!!!!!
Shocked
and devastated skipper Dave had to be consoled with copious amounts of alcohol
after Andrew Bishop welcomed him back onto his second full trip with ARC
Portugal in his new boat Mischief which he felt sure Dave and his crew of
Dave's would "live up to his aptly named boat".............How dare
he?
Andrew
also mentioned a storm that may delay our start on Sunday. Of course we
were never going to make the start anyway because we would all be in
Church..........
More Mischievous Adventures to follow soon