The Mysterious Island

 

The vernal equinox passes. Clocks bound forward, into British Summer Time, like spring hares. Lengthening days banish memories of dark winter nights.

 Around Dockyard Basin Number One, daffodils skip and dance, to the rhythm of the breeze.

Out on the river, boats return to their moorings. Against a backdrop of trees, yet to don their summer-green finery.

"I have no name," declares Captain Nemo. Fixing "his penetrating gaze upon. . . . .Cyrus Harding. . . .  as though he were about to annihilate him." (In 'The Mysterious Island,' by Jules Verne).

A fate shared by Stargazer. A mounting indignation shared by me.

Replacement names and decals (see 'To Be Or Not To Be.....?' post) were quickly sourced. From the ever efficient Mark at Funky Monkey graphics and Willie at Transworld Yachts. Both friends since Stargazer's original South Coast launch, in 2010.

But genie Gwen (see What's in a Name? post), who is to reapply them, vanishes in a smoke cloud of excuses and 'prior commitments.'

I negotiate, wait, cajole, wait, re-negotiate, wait and wait. Shorebound. Watching as breaks in the wintery weather become more frequent. Opportunities slipping by. The sailing season beckoning.

I attempt to reconcile myself to a relaunch, with Stargazer cast as Nemo. The boat with no name. My indignation rises, from slow simmer to a steaming boil, that this should be our fate . I sight Gwen, at work on another boat. . . . .

Birds sing and the sun beams benevolently, as Stargazer's dignity is restored. Nemo no more. Ready for relaunch. Ready to discover a Mysterious Island of our own.