Opua: there are pleasures
Opua: there are pleasures
There are pleasures of which I never tire: some music; some books; the sight of a woman’s naked body--I know I am old; older than almost all of you: take heart: passion doesn’t have to die--and the wind against my face and the light changing on hills and water; the solitude of the sea. And there are more.
I just came below from sitting on deck before sunset, as I did last night when these photographs were taken.
It has been perfect here these last few days, and the weather so fine for several weeks that the farmers are complaining.
Wednesday evening races see 25 to 30 boats start; Friday about ten; and Sunday afternoon half that.
Four or five of the local boats are closer to cutting edge than the others. This is the most extreme. I expect that her crew can carry her across the parking with one hand. All her stability comes from their weight. As you can see last night the wind was light, but I’ve never seen her capsize even in strong gusts. Her bowsprit to hull ratio is outrageous. The local riggers joke about having re-discovered the gaff rig.
In the top photo, she is nearing the finish line, having left the rest of the competitors more than a mile behind.
Here are pre-start maneuvers.
…
I had a birthday a few days ago. I had not planned to mention it because the only significance of the year is that it precedes a serious number.
However one of you may have sent me a Hallmark e-card, which Google in its wisdom decided was malware and warned me against opening.
If you are the source of that card and have wondered why I have not thanked you, please send me an email.
A line from the song “Everett Ruess” sung by Dave Alvin:
“You give your dreams away as you get older
Oh, but I never gave up mine.”
I rowed ashore this morning to do the laundry for the final time before I fly back to Evanston and have lunch at the cafe; then spent the afternoon researching online a 22’ boat in Oregon I am considering buying.
Saturday, November 13, 2010