Notes from the Back Cabin, aka Beginners Biscay
Part 3 We can see land now
Dear Bridget
Able Waister was delighted to see you on the phone this morning; you were looking splendid, but AW was by his own admission somewhat dishevelled, caught before a morning shave.
Socks and poetry
AW received a rather Special Request yesterday. He is not known for stylish dressing, but a Special Request came in the form of an ask from Stowaway (of whom, more later). She asked if he might once again wear his rather snappy Port and Starboard Socks. AW, blushing, agreed to do his best. As it turns out, his blushes were actually spared as Horror of Horrors, having had so many days at sea, he found his sock drawer (well, a small shelf in the Port Side Stern cabin really) to be empty! The most fortunate timing of the Special Request allowed him to gently air and recycle the aforementioned Socks and they are now duly on display. Sadly for AW, the Stowaway has not noticed…
Saturday 14th September Porto Santo for Pulpo
Huge excitement on board this morning. Cloud cover in a boat is described as a number out of Eight. Who knew that the sky has eight bits? As dawn crept out embarrassed from behind what was described in the Ships Log as 7.5/8 clouds, AW saw the Eildon-like* hills of Porto Santo. (*Readers may not be familiar with the Trimontium of Melrose but these three Eildon hills present a generous bosom-like profile when approached from any direction. AW has drawn an illustration in the Log to assist the Skipper).
AW has promoted the purchase of Pulpo (Iberian delicacy caught in the sea and prepared to look like a wedding hat) but has not yet persuaded Skipper of the fun to be had in trying out New and Foreign Food. Today is it. We will make Landfall. We will Arrive. Stowaway has assured AW that We will be Heroes. We will purchase Pulpo in Porto.
Postscript
[After tidying the Sock Drawer, and before leaving the boat, AW gave me a screwed-up bit of paper. He said that he’d found it in the deep recesses of the Sock Cupboard, but I rather wonder if he was too shy to share his poem with us (Ed.)]
Darkness and Light
It is only in deep darkness we see lightness.
Myriad phosphorescence in the wake,
And thin faint navigation lights
On ships and shore.
It takes a voyage to foreign clime
To see these precious lights in distant ocean
And recognise each one as its clear messenger
Of truth, hopefully in time.
Stars shine in daily daylight undetected
As does created effervescent light
And do the safety signs at many corners
Subtle signal from a nearby sailor.
Lessons learned in dark may serve in daylight
Help me see the stars in sky and sea
Lead me where your lights have been placed carefully
And send me where I can truly be.
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