Ours was only a nodding acquaintance. We’d spent the last few August days lying alongside, our berths shifting in unsion with the tides. Not knowing his name I’d euphemistically entitled him ‘the Dutchman’ – but I was no Pandora and plans were long underway for a departure to the Continent.
The leave-taking was a slow, manful effort, hauling and towing until the ancient hull turned full ninety degrees and sighted the long narrow inlet. With a soft throbbing engine and a south-westerly tail wind, the Dutch sailing barge then slipped quietly out of Woodbridge.
In the wake of the boat’s departure a stark emptiness lingered in the anchorage but this was her celebratory centenary cruise and we landlubbers could only raise our hats and wish ‘Bon Voyage’.
This 100th post is dedicated to the beautiful lines of the centenarian De Jonge Jacob 1912:
Note: Reference here to a classic vintage movie: ‘Pandora and the Flying Dutchman’ (1951)
Reblogged this on 20 Lines A Day.
Congratulations to your 100th post! Have enjoyed many, many of your beautiful posts. Thank you!
and thank you Amy for you lovely words 🙂
Congrats on 100. Keep going on and on and on.
that’s what walkers tell ourselves 😉
Congrats on your 100th….Michelle
thanks for your good wishes Michelle