Cousin Jinny's crew, happy and relaxed, in the evening sunshine, wave, as they pass. Returning, replete, from their racing, out in Carrick Road. Golden light glinting off varnished spars, gleaming white topsides and contented faces.
The Falmouth Working Boat slips by silently, save for the tuneful run, of her bow wave, along her planks.
All afternoon and evening, Stargazer has had the best seat in the house, for finest show in town. The Falmouth Working Boat races.
In the noon heat, Mildred's heavy gaff yard is sweated up. Then the intricate tracery of lines, canvas and spars, which are her, rainbow hued, jackyard-topsail, are hauled aloft. Timing and coordination are all. Arms strain, directing, tweaking and manipulating, until the deed is done.
Next, her yankee jib is raised; in synchrony, with the slipping of her mooring line. Mildred's head pays off, as her sails are sheeted home. She wheels smartly away, from her blue buoy. The afternoon sea breeze is building, toward its evening crescendo. Her heavy, but fine lined, long keeled, hull heels and then accelerates.
Nimbly she carves her way through the water. Pirouetting, among the tight packed moorings. Expertly handled. Forging her resolute way seaward. Faster and faster.
Her crew laughs and jokes, as they bend on yet more sail. This time the staysail jib. Making for the start line, off St Mawes Castle.
The fleet, of Falmouth Working Boats, thunders down the fairway. Crossing Stargazer's bow, one by one.
History in motion. Designed to fish the oyster beds, of the Fal, in all weathers. Agility and weatherliness, prerequisites. Traits now put to good use, in this close fought racing. Their rich inheritance, the skills to work a boat under sail, kept alive, for new generations.
More about Falmouth Working Boats and their racing here: Falmouth Working Boats Association
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