A novice of the sea
undaunted, undoubtedly was she.
“Buy a boat” that’ll sort the skill-less fix,
add a few lessons on the briny – that’ll do the tricks!
Bobbin’ about in a boat – easy-peasy.
Nothing to it really…..not even queasy!
Competition – that’s the next finishing line.
The Governor’s Cup: a fast knot on a yacht.
Oh well, not first, nor last
but a fair ol’ breeze pushed Allegro mast for mast.
St. Helena – now there’s a spot!
plenty of G & T’s on this great ocean’s dot.
Land legs back, now on with the job.
The Commodore’s lot’s, managing this mob.
The first of a breed – that’s Chris in the role
of Lady Commodore, to one and all!
The mainsail’s up, the spinnaker’s downed,
and so far she’s afloat and no one has drowned!
A great year it’s been from start to end,
but it’s time to weigh anchor me hearties, and friends.
She’ll miss all the banter, the buzz and the braais,
but not all the times she was caught by surprise!
So onwards and to further adventures anew.
Africa waits and the rest of the world too.
Books to be written, places to see,
but whatever she does, wherever she goes,
her love of the ocean has her heart beating free.
Dedicated to my friend Christine Farrington on the occasion of her year 2006-2007 at the helm of False Bay Yacht Club, Simon’s Town, South Africa.
The poet’s copyright assigned to Janette Brown.