Shifting Sands 4

 

Unseasonably glorious weather brings the river to life. Turning the, oft turbid, Medway waters sky blue. Dinghy spinnakers blossom bright. Before bare, bank-side, branches have had time to clad themselves in green.

Yet, over a Sunday pint in The Pier, or out on the low water landing, talk is not of our remarkable weather. Instead, extraordinary events, of another kind, monopolise conversation.

The 'new sheriff,’ has taken inspiration from Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking Glass.' Fake has become fact, vice is versa; allies are adversaries; and an elected president is deemed a dictator. The USA has turned Red Queen, and is leading Europe (become Alice) a merry dance, across a chaotically reordered political chess board. Whilst threatening the sovereignty of Ukraine, Canada, Panama, Denmark and Greenland.

With spinning head, Stargazer's skipper makes hay whilst the sun shines. Retreating into a familiar boatyard bubble. Speeding through her refit jobs list, sporting short sleeves and a sun hat. Negotiations are now underway, with the long suffering 'Wayne the crane,' to bring our relaunch date forward, from the end of this month. 

Picture Credits

Czar Trumpski: courtesy of Jabari James YouTube

Alice Through The Looking Glass image: courtesy of Ralph Steadman