VISIONS OF DUTRONC, PART III

Ingrid and 'la pipe de Papa'

S U N D A Y,  2 8  M A Y

It was very windy. I sat up in the bows which was lovely, and looked at everybody through the binoculars. Not a snazz to be seen.

Had to help shove off two boats leaving, which was FAB. There's nothing I like better than whizzing up and down the decks helping to push off in all the different places where the boats look like they're going to bash! About 12.30 we left. Sailed all the way to Beaulieu, then motored. I helmed quite a lot; you feel so grand at the wheel. 

Coming up the river to Buckler's Hard I saw this chap who didn't look the least like Dutronc but stretching my imagination a bit he seemed somehow to resemble him and I got the most FANTASTIC vision. Then a few minutes later I saw this chap in a blue jumper and a whitish shirt, and again I got the most fantastic vision. I never realised before that Dutronc always wore his blue jumper with a white shirt.

“Went to the Master Builder but to our absolute horror they didn’t have a table for us tonight.”

We went to the Stores and in our misery poured out our sad story to the lady in there. Terribly lucky we did because she then said, "why don't you try the Montagu Arms in Beaulieu?" So we did, and booked up for 8! But honestly, Daddy was so pessimistic, I'd actually suggested Beaulieu to him and all he said was "oh no, there won't be a thing there." Sometimes parents are so weedy. I think young people have got much more go in them. We went for a walk right round the river bank and back, which was lovely as it was so warm and sunny - but a pity there are so many tourists.

Mummy wrote the Log.

About 7.15 I changed into my bellbottoms and washed my feet which were filthy from the walk. Wore bunches. What I'd do without a head scarf and without bunches I don't know. A taxi drove us to Beaulieu. It's an awfully sweet place and the Montagu Arms is very posh, but nice. The drinks waiter looked like Napoleon Bonaparte. We sat in the lovely covered veranda bit so we looked over the garden. Fantastic food: avocado pear, breast of chicken in a creamy sauce, and syllabub (first time I've ever had it). Ma and Pa had a white wine to drink - made in Beaulieu!

Rowing back, Ma got a bit fed up because us three were making a bit of a row and she'd hurt her leg getting into the dingy and nobody sympathised. The boats look GORGEOUS at night, their black forms against the dark blue sky and the occasional light here and there, shining in the cabins. It was so funny - practically every boat except ours had its radio on.

“They were listening to Francis Chichester who was arriving in Plymouth - AND WE COULD HEAR ALL OF IT!!!

”

Francis Chichester (later Sir Francis Chichester) and storm-battered Gypsy Moth IV receive a hero's welcome. He was the first man to sail around the world solo with one stop-off (Sydney), and did it in 226 days. He was 65.