The marina hosted its usual New Year BBQ which was well attended. The car park was as full as it usually is in mid summer, but the number of boats that had smoke drifting from chimneys was a reminder that it was really winter.
This year I decided to make a potjie and couscous for our lunch rather than the usual burgers and hot dogs. I still entered into the spirit of the day by putting the three legged pot in the bonfire embers to finish cooking.
Shortly before lunch, Tanya and David arrived with Daniel to join in the festivities.
After lunch the boat race got under way. There is only one rule to be abided by in order to enter the race. The boat has to be home made! Boats of all shapes and sizes were entered. One as basic as a balloon attached to a piece of wood while another was a finely decorated dish washing liquid bottle with a paper hat as a sail.
Daniel entered his boat, a sailing battle ship made of a plastic foam composition. The kit had been a Christmas present and he had built it with the help of his Dad.
The idea is that the boats, once launched, are left to their own devices and propelled by any slight breeze that may be around. The finish line is downwind of the start line and whichever boat crosses the finish line first -whenever that is -is the winner. Needless to say some boats end up in the reeds, some sink and only few make it to the end. Daniel's boat had a good start but quickly floundered as it was blown under the pontoon of moored narrowboats. Nevertheless it was a great race .
All too soon, the BBQ fire and the flames on the bonfire had died down and the evening was closing in. Daniel was to stay with us for the rest of the week so Tanya and David packed up their car and bid us all farewell. And so the first day in 2013 ended on a high note. I hope this is an indication of how the rest of the year will pan out.
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