Back when I was working class, each month I'd eagerly await the publication of Yachting Monthly so I could read of the adventures and exploits of folk cruising in the far off seas. The Hiscocks, the Pardeys and the like. Nineteen sixties and seventies versions of the rugged, sun bronzed chaps and their skimpily clad partners one can ogle on YouTube nowadays. (No darling. I only watch them for the sailing content. To see how they're setting the sails and such like. Honest).

In one of the Yachting Monthly articles, the writer said that the best part of cruising, or voyaging as some prefer to call it, thus distancing themselves from the beginners, "rally people" and generally cruisers with boats bigger than theirs and/or with, heaven forbid, electronics. To the writer of the article it was not the places they'd been, the endless silver sand beaches, the waving palm trees or the azure blue lagoons but simply, the people they've met.

At the time, my gut reaction to this was a bit in the yuck and chuck category, my cynical view of people hardened by way too many years working in the world of commerce. However, over our years of voyeuraging (see previous post back in the mists of time) I've come to understand that in fact the writer of that article was spot on. It is all about the people, some of whom should best remain nameless. We've met millionaires and folk without a baw-bee. CEO's of global corporations, medics, sales folk and even accountants, whose training really should allow them to know better than to "invest" in a boat.
There's those that enjoy a wee G&T.......at any time of day. Beach BBQ enthusiasts, singers and songwriters. Lawyers and doctors.

And yet, even with that wide-spread range of acquaintances and friendships we were absolutely delighted that Sir Richard Branson was happy to take time out his busy schedule down here in Eden, southeast Australia to come to the boat, get on his knees, take apart and fix our cooker this morning.

Now aflame, it has lost its Virgin status and we can finally get a bun in the oven.

Thanks Dicky.