Zen Again 78

 

The scent of stockholm tar and wood shavings hang in the air. As the grandes dames, of the La Rochelle historic ships fleet, are kept in the manner to which they are accustomed.

 On the skyline, sunshine and shadow play upon the timeworn masonry, of the tower of Saint Nicolas. Making the mediaeval stones appear to shimmer, with a supernatural light.

Across the harbour, resplendant in scarlet, is Bernard Moitessier's Joshua. The steel solo circumnavigator. Which sailed so sweetly that Moitessier famously abandonned the lead, of the worlds first solo around the world race (the1968 Golden Globe), to sail on to the South Seas. Instead of crossing the finish line in Falmouth.

 The dents in her bows, testimony to an unhappy encounter with an uncharted atoll. Which her robust constitution enabled her to survive. Thus sowing the seeds for today's, uniquely French, breed of aluminium 'exploration yachts' (Ovni, Alubat, Allures, Garcia et al)

Joshua stands in place of honour, before the great gate arch. Where, beneath the dappled shade, of a broadleaf grove, dinner is served. In this city, for which, history is always on the menu.