Looking back over the past fortnight, it is only due to the enthusiasm, sailing skills, pluck  and humour of Harry, Nick, Ron, Howard, and above all Peter, that has made Aquila’s timely arrival at Port Ellen, Islay possible during, by most yardsticks, some pretty testing weather.

There’s an article in the May 2015 edition of Yachting Monthly that gives 19 pointers that make a perfect crew; to my mind it precisely captures all the key facets.  I can honestly say that both teams firmly ticked every one of the 19 boxes.  No wonder I had such an easy time as skipper.

All were perennially enthusiastic, cheerful, amusing and very good company, coupled with a ‘glass well over half full’ attitude to any challenge or situation.  Moreover, that each and everyone on board who, whenever they were near the galley, without being asked and however wild the motion of the boat put the kettle on, made the tea, dug out the cakes, did the dishes, stowed them, passed the nutty, and prepared a full meal when crews were ‘proper hungry’ made for a constantly fun and happy time.  And the icing on the cake was that all seemed to have steely stomachs when  suitably fortified by Stugeron, so the dreaded mal de mer never got the upper hand with anyone.

So a heartfelt thank you guys – you were simply superb.  Here they are:

The male members of the Evans family; Nick: wise, stoic and always selfless; and his son Harry: always ready and willing to do anything, ever amusing and perennially charming.  What a combination to have aboard!

 

 

Ron the globe trotting master chef, raconteur and singer par excellence:

 

 

Howard the helmsman manifique, dit spinner and all round trouper.  It was he who brought two sou'westers!

 

 

And finally, Peter: a hugely experienced seaman and skipper in his own right, who knew exactly when to call for help or guidance from the skipper, and never ran out of jokes or dits to keep morale at ridiculously high levels.  Not only that, but without asking he cleans heads and galleys to an extraordinary high standard – Aquila has never been so well husbanded below. Simply wonderful.

 

 

And thank you too to the shore-side support of all wives and significant others who allowed their men folk a pink chit for a week or more.  And especially to Rosalie for the flapjacks and fruit cake – they fortified us superbly when the going was on the tougher side.

Finally, a pan-crew applause and thank you to Sarah for the cake, three superb home pre-prepared meals that she sent us off with, and the help and advice to the skipper on all things culinary during the pre-sailing store ship.  In consequence, we ate like kings!  An essential element of a safe and happy ship.

What a crew to have aboard. Thank you to all and one.