For Andy ("Straw")... and Chris!!

Overnight bags packed
and loosely thrown in the back,
heading south for the sea
and the second largest
natural harbour
in the world

A two-day powerboat course
-just for the hell of it -
initially surprised the
laid-back instructor
(of instructors and those
who "need to know")
but he soon got into it,
seeming to relish for once
the opportunity to humour
the couple out on a spree

His style was easy
like a Sunday morning,
explaining in his rich Norfolk accent
(that was plump and bronzed
as Buxted Turkeys!)
how to smooth the boat around
like driftwood in the gentle hands
of wind and waves,
tide and time

Gliding silkily across still waters
and up the winding reeded river,
we listened to his joke about ducks
whilst he rocked good-humoured
in his wader boots and oilskins

But later, after a couple
of roll-ups and a beer,
things seemed to change;
the wind and pace picked up,
the tide turned
and it was back to the heavier water,
to the flat expanses
of windswept lagoons
for an upbeat training
in kickass figure of eight
and Man Overboard!
For speedtrial
launch and recovery,
wake-jumping and serious playtime!

It was an extravagant
birthday treat for me
and a joy to spend it
in the company of one
who seems to be
in total harmony with
the rhythm of his life
365 days of the year;

Hmmm, this is good,
I thought;
I could take to this -

Like a duck to water!