VAGABONDS
STORIES FROM BEFOREHAND 11
I am pretty sure I know where we are, somewhere near the Scilly Isles, finally getting nearer England but still so, so, far to go really.
We have been sailing well but now we are in the fog; there is very little wind indeed, so little wind that we are drifting. We know we are near land because we come across a fishing buoy in the sea.
The skipper decides to lift it but the net below is so heavy, even with the winches we struggle to get it on board. We do find a cod in it which he swiftly liberates. But just as we are doing this we hear the ‘Put Put’ of a fishing boat in the fog. In a panic the skipper takes a knife and cuts the lines free, determined not to be discovered robbing the fishermen. It falls away down into the sea to create its own chaos; the fishing boat appears momentarily out of the fog and carries on its way.
As we sit anxiously on the boat, cooking the cod, that now we have gutted it, seems to have parasites we can hear the sound of lawnmowers on shore and people speaking.
It is a worry this. Where amongst this maze of islands are we?
Somehow, as the wind comes back and the fog strips away I work out that we are to the north of the Scillies and need to sail between them and England to regain our course home. I think it may be guess work but I am proved right.
Later with a high wind astern of us, we sail down to Lands End with lights on either side of us, that we can finally use to find our position.
We have been sailing for so long and I am so tired; so, so, tired and cold and still hungry, despite the cod. We are surfing down the waves; I cannot stop the mainsail from gybing even though we have a preventer on. To my relief the skipper takes over and my heart lifts in the knowledge that maybe soon we will finally have solid land to walk upon and a safe berth for the boat.
INSPIRED BY THE JEAN’S BOTHY STORYTELLING WORKSHOP IN THE SCOTTISH MENTAL HEALTH AND ARTS FESTIVAL.
This is a new series to complement my mental health and family posts – I am having to borrow photos – sorry about that.
For more of my writing and my world do have a look for START and Blackbird Singing published by Geilston Press – best to go to Amazon just now.