Reflections

Here are some of the favourite moments from Christopher Hobbs, a Bilge who went on the cruise for the first time in 2010. If you have been on a cruise and also have some reflections you'd like to share please let us know.

My Favourite Moments

I had quite a few favourite moments at Bitternes this year, partially because this was my first year but mostly because I had such a fantastically, brilliant time! Meeting my crew for the first time was amazing, as they were really friendly. I got on very well with Mark, Frances, Alice and Christian as they were supportive towards me and I made them laugh a lot. I also found morning divisions quite interesting, as we got to explore the Bible and think about Jesus and pray a lot for things we're concerned about. This was important to me as I could get closer to God and widen my knowledge of Christianity.

I also found going on the Half- Decker very inspirational, as I was able to take the tiller and the main sheet at the same time. Going on the Half-Decker was, I think, a very important part of the week for me. Apart from coming back as high as a kite, my knowledge of sailing had expanded. We had a Knots-and-Sailing test to see how much we had learnt that lunch-time, so thankfully I had revised all of the points of sail and things on the Half-Decker. However, though all of those things were superb, my favourite part of the week was...

Bilgiest Bilge

The Bilgiest Bilge Nominations were done on Friday 16th. The mates of each ship had to, if they so desired, write a speech about their Bilge (all new people on their first year at Bitternes are called Bilges). I was the Bilge of Frances Reading, and I had done some pretty bilgy things!

  1. The first thing I said when I got on to my boat was, in an extremely panicked voice, “Where’s my day sack?!” It was on my back. OOPS!
  2. On the way to Horsey where we had stopped for lunch, there was a dog out in a garden. It was barking, so I decided to join in and we had a lovely conversation. (This made everyone laugh!)
  3. I decided, one day, that Swans had a posh accent, Mandarin Ducks were Chinese and Mallards were commoners. This too made everyone laugh!
  4. I also claimed that I hoped to become Queen of the Bilges. I meant to say either Queen of the Bitternes* or Bilgiest Bilge, but oh well!
  5. Apparently, I look like Squirtle the Turtle from Pokémon, so Squirtle was my nickname for the week.

That is all I can remember of the speech Frances gave, but I am now Bilgiest Bilge, 2010! I had really hoped that I would be the Bilgiest Bilge, so when my name was called out to be “The Bilgiest of the Bilges 2010” I was ecstatic! Afterwards, I was told that I had had the majority of the votes, and that made me even happier. What is more, everything in the speech Frances had put together was 100% true!! I even get my name on a plaque, so hey, what more could a Bilge ask for? My first year at Bitternes Afloat was truly exhausting but inspirational, and I would like to thank all those who made it possible for us all to have such an amazing time! I can’t wait to go back next year...

*Queen of the Bitternes is awarded to the Mate of the best kept boat in the fleet.