We needed to find somewhere
to stay between Deinze and Central Gent. The Gent-Leie Yachr Club seemed perfect, even though we had never been there before. It was obviously in the middle of nowhere but the Club House manager Valerie was very happy to take 20 odd of us for dinner. We decided to have the Commodores Dinner there, it being the only boat club we would stay at with all boats present. I said I was happy with a limited menu, and we would chose before hand. All good so far?
Two days before the event I at last managed to get hold of Valerie, and was told three times the meal would be chicken. No choice, chicken or chicken or maybe fish for the veggies.
The evening arrives, we play musical tables with Valerie to get the seating right. We have amuse bouche, and then beef …. beef? No chicken? No, it’s beef…. Luckily it was a good casserole and the frites and salad were great and the wine helped…..
And finally, we had some words from the Commodore…
Congratulations to us all for mooring up here so well. We haven’t been here before so had no idea what to expect. Brooms obviously didn’t include the rubbing strake in the overall widths of the boats!
We are very happy to host this Commodores dinner in a boaty club. It’s what it’s all about.So far it’s been a great pleasure to cruise with you all. Every boat has brought something to the table and you have all mucked in to make it happen.
Brainwave has been invaluable in helping with the route and navigation, from day 1 when we came out here with them in the ice and cold of March to look at a few locations. If it wasn’t for that trip we wouldn’t have travelled down the Leie today, which has certainly been one of the highlights for us.
Brainwave also managed to get off the moorings very early this morning, apparently by mistake says Ann…
We’ve all hosted a PDDP and all made great hosts to each other. We have 2 party boats: speedbird with its comfy lounge bar and Cartagena with its dance floor ballroom. The rest of made do with the pontoon. Andy the racing driver is steady as you go on a boat, he had to be to get through that bridge this morning! But is there a rumour he likes being rear?
Keith and Pauline came on their first cruise with the club last year, which is when most of us met Briar, our cruise mascot. In the meantime Odyssea’s speed has gone from 12 knots to 28 knots. Glad that’s sorted! And we are so happy that Keith’s flotilla made it through the Thames Barrier in one piece.
Free Spirit and Speedbird are also on their second foreign cruise with us. Great to see Alastair (our PDDO)and Ruth with us again. Last year couldn’t have been that bad eh Ruth? Mind you we did notice that Free Spirit didn’t seem too keen to join us this morning, and was looking rather woeful behind the Tolport bridge.
Speedbird of course have a very experienced skipper and crew who have been boating all their lives. We do wonder if Miss Marigold has kept all their boats so spotless? Put us to shame. A particular thank you to them for volunteering to act as Commodore for the Deinze yacht club team yesterday. Is this a sign of things to come?
And it’s great to see Ian and Polly, after their first channel crossing, enjoying their boat and managing it so well. Last year they had to pull out of the cruise at the last minute, which was a huge disappointment. And I understand the girls have voted Ian the best dressed man on the cruise.
Severa. First of all it’s a night passage down the Thames, then they are scheduled to arrive at Nieuwpoort for 8pm. But Elaine tells them is free drinks at 7pm and lo and behold they make it at 19:07. By the way folks his dinghy is in working order if anyone wants a go.
Adrienna also crossed the channel for the first time, and they are a great addition to our cruise. Thank you for joining in so easily. But I have been boating for 20 years and I am just delighted at last to be on a cruise with someone called Roger.
Roger and out.