Martin Northey (Poem)

Dedicated to Martin Northey

It seems that many people
Have a dream to which they cling…
That one day they’ll own a cruiser,
…..‘cept they can’t drive the bloody thing !

So we bought this shiny Cranchi.
With its gleaming chrome and leather.
And we filled it up with diesel ,
And waited for good weather.

So then you seek an expert.
One who knows each trick and rule.
And one name , it kept recurring….
The Iberian Sea School !

He starts you in the classroom.
With a load of stuff to do .
Are tides “neaps” or “springs” you wonder,
And is that compass bearing true?

There are bowlines, there are bowsprings,
There’s a cleat, and clove hitch too.
There are flares and there are fenders,
There are flags of white and blue !

There are buoys and there are black balls.
There is anchor chain and rope.
And there’s how to check position…..
it’s all now within our scope !

And whilst much of it’s important,
And there is merit to each bit ,
With his humour and his patience ,
He makes sense of all of it.

Our first turns amongst the moorings,
Were not in whole devoid of fear !
And we had to learn quite quickly ,
When we’re “in” or “out” of gear !

And I guess like many couples,
I was cocky , she was scared !
But it took her just an hour ,
To do spins I’d not have dared !

And at times we lacked in judgement ,
And got our knickers in a tizz ,
But despite his swift instructions ,
He still claimed the fault was his !

I’m not sure about my colleagues ,
Who say “a bigger boat’s the game”.
‘Cos the diesel pump attendant ,
Already uses my first name !

So now we’re proud and confident ,
To use the expertise he gave .
And we can join the scores of boaters,
Who all greet him with a wave !

John & Julia , Bumbelady , Albufeira , June 2006 .