Following the recent death of Ken Crutchlow, charismatic founder of The Ocean Rowing Society, Sam asked me to send him this photograph that first featured on 29th August last year. Alongside Jessica and Louisa, Ken stands between Sam, who has just disembarked after 59 days at sea, and me.
This took me back to the task of scanning the colour slides made in March 2004.
Wandering around outside Port St Charles, I speculated about why this Police station sign displayed a mirror image. I swear it has not been reproduced the wrong way round.
These are views of the luxurious development, that is the holiday resort where the race was completed, that can be seen by those poorer folk outside.
Frangipani is one of the colourful shrubs that surround the walls.
Overlooked by luxury apartments, the rowing boats lie among others in the docking area.
Pavel Rezvoy, who came second in the solo race, in the black T-shirt, stands beside Tatiana, the blue-clad wife of Ken. Sam’s boat, Pacific Pete, is on the right. Workers on the roofs in the distance demonstrate that building continues.
Here, Sam is interviewed by Dixie Dean for the official film of the race.
I cannot identify these waders on the shore.
This evening we dined on Mr Pink’s fish and chips, with cornichons and pickled onions from jars, followed by profiteroles. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I didn’t.
I think those little guys are Sandpipers, Derrick. Beautiful photos! The water is a gorgeous color in the first photo.
Thanks, Jill. I’m sure you are on the right lines with sandpipers
Wonderful photos, Derrick.
Thanks, Ann
I think Jill has hit it with one of the birds. I think the bottom one is a sanderling and the top one a sandpiper. Or they may both be sandpipers!
Thanks Lisa. You must be on the right lines
Sanderling was my first thought for bird 2, provided they colonize that far west (it appears you’re trans-Altlantic from us, yet is familiar with you, so I’d trust that. “Sandpiper” is a vague term, I think covering some without ‘sandpiper’ in their name (e.g. Redshank, and, probably Sanderling!)
Very dark legs and bill of bird 1 (unless a factor of the ultra bright light of the tropics) doesn’t look as typical of the fare we see this side. Without a marker of scale, it’s hard to tell.
Thanks, Paul
Yes, I was going by the differences in color, but it’s difficult to tell if differences of size exist. As for how far west they are, I’ve seen them in the Gulf of Mexico, so they’re here (I almost said Califonia, but they well might have been something different there).
Derrick, you did not imbibe? Are you feeling OK!? We miss you both. Thank you both for a lovely stay.
Thank you, Ian. We miss you too. I sometimes don’t imbibe with fish and chips. It doesn’t always go.
I’ve heard that police departments in the US do not hire anyone with a high IQ. Maybe they do the same over there?
Thanks, Weekly. 🙂
As to the identity of the birds – one is definitely Henry and the other one looks like it could be Annabelle. (Not 100% sure as she has her back to us!) Regarding the ECILOP sign backwards; it is a box that used to have a light in it, and the glass/plastic front has gone that read POLICE from this side and we are reading the other side of the box signage from the wrong side.
Thank you, Bruce. All is now clear
Such intriguing photos of a place I will never otherwise see. Thanks! Are you an avid boater/ sailor, Derrick?
Thank you, Cynthia. Not me. We were just there to welcome Sam back to land.
Plovers of some description? Nice to see somewhere warm from deep inside January in Ottawa.
Thank you, Susanne. Could be.
I think what plover they have in common is a chunkier body (not one between all of them, I hasten to add… )
Lisa says the birds might be sandpipers and Susanne says plovers…I think they are piping plovers!
Thank you, Cynthia. This could run and run. Next time I scan Barbados I will publish some more, when all suggestions will be gratefully accepted 🙂
Derrick, I think you mentioned before that your son (I think) rowed across the Atlantic. Is there a chance you could do a post that generally tells a bit of the history of ocean rowing. As an old rower of eights we never got off the river. Do the boats have seats on rollers or are they fixed and a bit of other detail. When you get time.
I’m not an expert, John, but I think Sam’s seat was on rollers. I suggest you look at the Society’s site: http://www.oceanrowing.com/
It looks like fun for all, but doesn’t it entail a lot of work?
Not for me 🙂 Sam put in the training and the days at sea
Sorry about the loss of a fine gentleman and scholar, as my Dad and Grandpa used to call the deceased, if male family member or friend. Ken looks good and so do you in the photograph. I liked the way you all look so happy and healthy. A good way to remember Ken, Derrick. ♡
Thank you, Robin. Jessica, of course, was not to live much longer after that photograph either.