A Second Bite of the Cherry on Charro!

A few more pictures are produced today as I've been writing too much in recent days!

After the exciting morning on a multihull yesterday I figured I should go mono today and help crew the short handed Pythias Aura. When I arrived, I found out just how short-handed Reinhard was as he and Philippe sat there alone looking a little forlorn. Here is a picture to show you how upset he was, not being able to sail today. (Just Joking- this is actually an archive | picture).

With only three we could not crew the boat. So, if anyone wants to crew, Pythius Aura is down dock D on the left. Here's a normal happy shot of Reinhard so you can recognise him...

This could have been a disaster but I remembered I'd been invited back aboard Charro and there was also an offer of smoked salmon aboard Silolona. Today Charro won over Silolona (and the smoked salmon), which was the only winning we did this morning. Tim, Charro's skipper, wanted me to make more in my report of our 2nd place in the second race yesterday, but I thought that as he was so used to 1st place that it wasn't such a big deal!

It now became a James Bond escapade to get to Charro before the start. There were plenty of speed boats but no helicopters, and the plane which later buzzed the fleet (remember that?) had already been requisitioned. I knew that the service at The Royal Langkawi Yacht Club was second to none but was stunned at the following question as I stood on the pontoon...

'Yes sir, how can I help you?...

In my best Sean Connery accent:

'Er Yerrs, what's the charnce of a helicopter, a plane, or a speed boat to get me to Charro…before the start?'

'We might be able to help with a speed boat sir…what's your name?'

'Gary…Gary from The Eagle'

'Very good sir…could you follow me?'

(Whaaaaaaaaat! You must be joking?)

Ghana, the man of the moment, led me to a waiting speed boat where I joined a Malay family, just in from KL who were also hoping to board a boat before the start, and we gently motored out of the marina. The Bond Theme now began to play as the boat increased throttle and planed across the bay at full speed - gliding past Silolona towering into the sky. (Would I miss the smoked salmon?) I'd already been invited back to Charro and but didn't get the chance to ask for…'permission to come aboard' before my Bond style flying leap onto the stern.

'Good orn-ya mate…where ya bin!...was Ron's warm welcome and I knew we were in for another great sail.

I thought the Petronas Party was very pleasant last night with a good selection of food and an Indian touch to the musical offering -- very enjoyable. Take it easy on the 'delicate' MC guys, (and Girls!) - It's not always easy to stand up there and deal with yachties during an award ceremony. Congratulations to Lecka aboard No Fixed Address who won the five beer tokens last night after being the first to find the repeat paragraphs in the first issue of The Eagle.

Inka, a fellow writer asked me about 'Pink Buffalo' today. I replied that I wasn't sure which class they were in…'I only know about 'Blue Banana', leaving her and Jane giggling in the office today.

Tomorrow is layday although I'm looking forward to a promised 'Blast' on 'Somtam Express'.