Holiday

I was just thinking about the term “staycation”—staying locally for vacation to keep costs down (for one reason; there are probably others). Well, I’m staycationing, but I must say it feels like a proper time away from the office. Tim and I are in Cowes for the world-renowned Cowes Week.  which includes seven days of sailing, events every night (some posh, some not), and a chance to see the old town transform into a wild, crowded, noisy but ultimately fun place to be.

We came down on Thursday to prepare—Tim to take Coh Karek for a bath (boats move faster in the water when they’re clean) and do the last-minute tasks to get her ready to sail; me, simply by routine of coming on Thursdays after work (because there wasn’t too much to prepare for on my end). Jake came to lend a hand to Tim—they didn’t have to personally wash her, but there were other things to do to make her sail faster (which included dumping old sails off and stowing them in the space below the stairs here at home).

Thursday was still quiet—perhaps a few more people on the High Street than usual, but not anywhere near full Cowes Week proportions. We had a lovely steak dinner at home and took a walk in the evening to see what was happening along the Parade—it was still quiet, even at the Champagne Bar next to the ferry terminal. It was just a matter of time!

By Friday things had picked up—able crewmen Tim (E) and Dave arrived, and we had a chicken stir fry, a couple bottles of wine and great conversation, as ever—the three men have sailed together quite a bit, including a 16-day journey across the Atlantic—and there was planning for CW as well as just catching up with each other. Jake returned to London for the night and Dominic was arriving in the morning before the start. I sensed excitement. Heck, I was excited and I wasn’t even sailing!

We decided to take a walk to the Cowes Yacht Haven to see what was going on—there is always plenty of music and some mock Blondie band was scheduled to perform. When we arrived it was more a mock Dire Straits band, though they were good and somewhere along the line they were kind enough to inform us that the Blondie band wasn’t showing . . . no matter. It was a lovely night—a little cool, but dry, and I enjoyed taking it all in. You simply have to experience Cowes Week—the mix of sailors, wannabes, crazies, and the rest of us (as I don’t consider myself any of the former) just watching. There was plenty of dancing in the aisles, including for our entertainment this evening [drunk] girls with water guns that we artfully avoided—guns and girls both.

Day One. Nice weather—sun and just enough wind. Off they go after a hearty sailors’ breakfast—bacon and egg sarnies and coffee / tea—and I set about doing a few chores (mostly food shopping) and taking in the town. It’s become crowded—in fact, far more crowded than I expected with throngs of visitors popping in and out of shops, queuing at Tottie’s fish and chips (which I’ve never had) or Corrie’s, just another 200 steps up the High Street (which has a proper restaurant attached). I don’t mind the milling people—I manage to weave my way around them all with bags full.

Midafternoon and Tim’s brother arrives and we have a cup of tea and catch up—he’ll be sailing with the rest starting Sunday.

Tim texts—they are getting close, just in East Cowes . . . I take my perch on the roof terrace to see the finish. I see a couple of other Contessas ahead, and then finally Coh Karek sailing beautifully to the line with two boats near, just feet away. I have to admit, I yelled something silly like “Go, go!” but there was no one else nearby. She finishes 7^th, edging out Contessa Connie in the end by 30 seconds. Connie is owned by our friends Mark and Kim, so a friendly rivalry indeed.

Drinks follow at the Island Sailing Club (ISC) for the Contessa class—jackets required for the men, and I wear a dress for the occasion. We head up to the top terrace for champagne and canapés. Some disappointment that members of the ISC who are not Contessa owners are taking up tables and eating chips. We remark but only to ourselves, not to them, and chat about the day, chat with a few of the other boat crew, and sip bubbly between bites of some nice finger food. It was not the most social event—most crews weren’t there and those who were tended to stick together, rather than mingle. The lack of space to move around likely contributed to that—we have been to other Contessa gatherings and they are generally a good, if not competitive, lot to socialise with. Those who were there were anticipating the Red Arrows, who were scheduled to fly over at 7:30. I brought a camera, hoping to get one or two shots, though you can imagine how fast these jets fly!

And I must say, there were spectacular. Breathtaking, even. It is simply amazing how tightly in formation they fly, so close to each other, and then suddenly the planes veer off  in opposing directions only to come back together again, and perfectly. I think most people enjoyed it when two of the craft were seemingly heading directly toward each other, at great speed, and as they were just crossing each let out a coloured trail that was a single perfect line when joined—that’s how close they were.

Jake, Dominic, Tim E at the ISC party

Some of the Red Arrows

After the show we headed back home to have Tim’s chilli con carne—made the night earlier for a quick heat and serve. As usual it was delicious—a thoroughly satisfying day for the crew! In the evening we decided to head out to Cowes Yacht Haven to see what was going on—I stayed behind, preferring to just relax.

 The week is young!