Holy belt and braces

Divine intervention and the leisure seafarer

- Sam Llewellyn

Well, here we are, time to launch again. Antifouling on, everything varnishable varnished, survey surveyed, tanks full, and away we go...

Hang on a minute. Physically, the boat Dahlia is in terrific shape. But how about the, well, imponderables? Five years ago we changed her name with all due ceremony, clearing the deed with the ancient sea gods Neptune and Poseidon, who seemed to applaud our quiet good taste and the fact that shem is called after Bertie Wooster's stout and sporting aunt. There was also considerable spilling of red wine, which the best authorities say is an acceptable substitute for the blood of sacrificial victims. She has got a silver shilling under her mast, or anyway had once. Nobody anywhere near her would dream of wearing green oilskins or mentioning those long-eared creatures that go hoppity hop. If there is justice in this or any other universe, good fortune should attend her every pitch and roll.