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Mischief - Log Keep calm and get into Mischief. 30th May 3rd June 2017



 Keep calm and get into Mischief. 30th May 3rd June 2017
 
Adventurous Skipper David Tipton, farmer and gin pourer is accompanied for ARC Portugal by a glamorous pair of docking queens, his gorgeous partner Wendy Knight, AKA Commander and his "scare-pirate" and only staff member Anita Nickelson.  They have welcomed onto the boat a small mouse named Mabel, who has aspirations to become Admiral of the ARC Portugal fleet over no less than Andrew Bishop. She is seen here cautiously negotiating Southampton water after having organised the salvage of a small blue fender called Barbie wearing a matching fitted jacket.
 
 
Visibility as we entered the Needles Channel was poor. Mabel was very relieved she'd procured more sophisticated electronic equipment for the boat. She satisfied herself it was money well spent as she watched her crew navigate safely through the fog.  In Weymouth we were moored ready for an early departure for Dartmouth. A kindly, toothless fisherman aided a smooth mooring praising the local Yates's steak that we declined. 
 
The following day we negotiated the inner channel between Portland Bill and the Shambles and were rewarded with calm seas and a little shortcut towards Dartmouth.
 
Sadly Mabel was terribly disappointed that Her Majesties Navy fleet did not organise a guard of honour to celebrate our arrival.  She was however, relieved she wouldn't have to consider running aground in the Dart. Dartmouth is of strategic importance as a deep-water port for sailing vessels. It has a rich assortment of historic buildings, but perhaps unusually, four of the town’s oldest buildings are also pubs.  Mabel greeted this news with much excitement and seeing this, the Skipper decided all crew should be rewarded with Exmoor Ale and a glass of Malbec in the Cherub Inn.
 
The convivial establishment was first recorded in a document in 1380. For most of its life it was a house, it spent some time as a shop and local knowledge suggests a brothel at some point in its illustrious history. It has now thankfully for the crew on Mischief  been converted into a pub. Only the Skipper was disappointed it had not remained a brothel.   

 
The next day as we entered Plymouth harbour entrance, the Skipper was delighted to see his "favourite rock in the world", Shag rock protruding erect and familiar. 
 
The Royal Corinthian yacht club hosted the first of many suppers to be enjoyed with the ARC. It is situated on the water’s edge between The Barbican and Plymouth Hoe. Magnificent sea views over Plymouth Sound greeted our eyes as Andrew Bishop the Director of the company showed us the start line for the race which on that evening was bathed in sunlight. We met many of the other cruisers but were most pleased to be reunited with our dear friends Gary Clements from Arcarius, Neil from Serendipity and Trevor and Jean who have crewed on Serendipity. The evening ended in the very convivial surroundings of Jolly Jacks where we indulged in our favourite tipple whilst reminiscing about passed adventures we'd enjoyed together. 
 
Friday 30th May, an imported day the rest of the crew arrived, the "London set" who brought sophistication to Mischief to complement the existing crew members. We welcomed the lovely Lisa and her partner, great sailor Dave who was to become Dave's first mate across Biscay. Dave? Did someone say Dave? Yes Dave! Great Dave!  Mabel looked on, perusing this complicated situation and reached the conclusion that communications would be more effective on board if we were all called Dave.........
Later last night at the welcoming evening Andrew Bishop suggested we change our name badges to our preferred name and from that moment all crew on Mischief go by the name Dave!!!!!

Shocked and devastated skipper Dave had to be consoled with copious amounts of alcohol after Andrew Bishop welcomed him back onto his second full trip with ARC Portugal in his new boat Mischief which he felt sure Dave and his crew of Dave's would "live up to his aptly named boat".............How dare he?
 
Andrew also mentioned a storm that may delay our start on Sunday. Of course we were never going to make the start anyway because we would all be in Church..........

More Mischievous Adventures to follow soon 



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