Ugly Boats

Now I try not to be snobby about boats (i.e. ours is beautiful, why does everyone else sail round in plastic jelly moulds), but there are some out there that are just beyond belief. This particular cruise liner is a favourite of mine, we've seen it in the Caribbean and also here in Mahon. Yes those are masts, yes it does occasionally set sail, yes it is ugly. The second one is a ketch we saw yesterday, somebody spent a lot of money on this boat .... why ?

We are currently moored to a little wooden floating island with water, electricity etc. There is about a mile of harbour wall to use but this is disgustingly, cripplingly expensive, and full of large gin palaces. Our island also has a shower ... ok a post with hose and a shower head at the top, basic but better than you get inside most boats. This is frequently used by the occupants of the island (ourselves included), leading to my latest observations of national characteristics.

The British, (well me) use this shower distinctly self consciously. I'm in, I'm out its quick, I definitely keep my trunks on.

The Spanish take it all in their stride, they take their time, but no frills and look completely at ease.

The French ... they just do not care, shaving armpits I can take but when the bikini line was attacked well that really was too much for my British reserve.

The Americans .. its show time. They must be in pairs, only this way can backs be scrubbed (exfoliating gloves) hair washed , rinsed, conditioned , rinsed, conditioned. Its also accompanied by noise 'ooh thats good', 'oh yeah' .....

The Spanish also like topless (often bottomless) swimming and sun bathing. Lucy has learnt to use this to her advantage, whenever we are set up for some competitive bat and ball on the beach she ensures that I am facing the two young Spanish ladies also playing bat and ball behind her ... what chance do I stand !

In fact I am taking a bit of an all sport beating at the moment. I'm sure Lucy has recounted my canoeing loss (I didn't really try that hard) but I'm also struggling to beat her at Sudoku, and in our swimming races (anything beyond a sprint). To seek refuge from this I downloaded a beginners chess program for the computer, set it on the easiest level and prepared myself for a confidence boosting victory..... It kicked my ass.

Bye for now

Andy