Fund raising is a big part of Island life and it is currently Cancer Awareness Week here. There have been various events taking place and last night we had tickets to attend a Cheese and Wine evening on-board the RMS.
A quick turn around after work was the order of the day. Paula, David and I (Piccolo car share group!) arrived back just after 4.30. We needed to get changed and be ready for a 5.15 departure, so we could make it back down to the quayside by 5.45 – first launch to the ship anchored in James Bay. So we duly arrived and had to be cleared by Customs. Technically we would be ‘leaving’ the Island, although we didn’t need our passports – just clearance. Our names were on the list so we were allowed to proceed down to the landing steps. For those who have been on cruises where the only way to land is via launches will understand that the lack of a proper harbour and dock can make for some tricky manoeuvres on and off with the swell of the waves lifting the launch, landing platform and ship away from each other, sometimes to an alarming degree!
Fortunately, the sea was particularly calm and having donned lifejackets, we found ourselves on the first launch, chugging towards the ship. Once the floating platform and steps had been negotiated, we made our way inside to the lounge where wine was being served along with a host of edible goodies and lots of cheeses that I had forgotten existed! We had a lovely evening chatting to friends; Saint, ex-pat and various other nationalities. We bought lots of raffle tickets, after all, it’s all for charity and took part in the auctions that followed. All too soon, it was over and we made our way back to the launch for the return trip to the quay and clearance by Customs to be allowed back onto the Island.
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