Today, being a Wednesday, means it was Date Night. So, I travelled up to London to meet Mirinda at the flat.
During my train trip in, I was happily reading when, mid-sentence, I fell asleep. I was woken up by a bunch of giggling women who joined the train at Surbiton with much noise and in complete contravention of the Quiet Carriage Rules. From their clothes, conversation and general demeanour, I’m fairly certain they were hair dressers. Whatever they were, they were exceedingly noisy and, obviously, going out on the town.
When I hopped on the Tube and started my book up again, I had no idea what the page was about. At first I thought I’d accidentally run forward a few pages but, no, it was when I fell asleep. Going back a page, I knew what was happening. I started again.
Arriving at Canary Wharf, I was delighted to spot a tall ship in dock. It was the SV Tenacious (SV means Sailing Vessel), looking magnificent. (That sorted my blip out for today.)
And she’s not just a pretty ship. She’s a training vessel for people who want to learn how to sail the high seas in a proper boat. Launched in 2000, she is part of the Jubilee Sailing Trust and, through this charity, gives opportunities to disabled people to sail aboard as well as full bodied people.
Just behind the Tenacious, a tug was manoeuvring a big navy vessel into dock. It was the HMS Richmond and was in stark contrast to the sailing ship in front of it. A magnificent sight, both of them…and the tug, of course.
The Richmond is a Type 23 frigate, launched in 1993. She last saw action in the Iraq War as well as generally roaming the oceans, sailing to New York, South America and anywhere else she’s needed. She’s a beautiful, sleek ship that just screams fire power. Which is handy, because she has a lot of it aboard.
The weather had been pretty close all day so it was with great relief that I arrived at the flat to find that Mirinda had left the balcony doors open. The breeze was wonderful. I sat on the balcony and cooled down, waiting for Mirinda to text me which ferry she was on.
This she duly did and I was off to the wharf to meet her. From here we strolled over to the Lotus, our favourite Chinese restaurant. Ever.
I agree what a sleek ship she is but the sailing ship is very impressive too.
love mum x