By: Mike

 


Saturday 17th July

 

It’s another scorcher.  We set out for a stroll up to the Hoe.  It’s busy with SailGP.  This is a sailing event involving large ultra-fast catamarans. They rise out of the water on fins and go up to 60 mph.  There is a large fan zone enclosure for people to watch, and loud-speaker commentary.  Thousands are also just sitting on the grass.  I am interested in the various war-memorials and monuments.  Back at the flat, we overlook the harbour where the yachts have their base.  We get a ring-side view of the yachts being craned into the water, and their crews going aboard.  They have a crew of five, including a helmsman and a grinder.  I think he is the guy who winches in the huge mainsail as they go about.  The other three are mainly there to skip from side to side and balance the boat.  At least that’s what I think.  We don’t get much of a view of the races themselves, even through binoculars.  The GB boat doesn’t seem to be doing very well. It’s like the motor Grand Prix.  They mosey round the world doing their thing.  Next stop Aarhus in Denmark, and they end up in California.  Who is funding this?  It must cost a fortune and there can’t be much income from spectators.

We walk to dinner at Sulami.  Very good indeed. I had a delicious scotch egg starter followed by a pork curry. 




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