Whatever anyone tells you, quite the best part of the Boat Show is meeting old friends. To me the highlight is meeting Alex and Patsy Blagdon from Plymouth. They are legends in the West Country having run their boat yard just next to the Mayflower Marina for many, many years. I got to know them well when the original Clipper yachts were delivered down to Plymouth before the first Clipper race in 1996. Inevitably there were last minute jobs to be done and bits to be screwed on; their yard played an important part before and after the race. The Clippers would dry out on the hard alongside Blagdon’s wall which would normally mean scrubbing and polishing in the early hours before the tide came back in.
Alex and Patsy still live in their character residence* behind the yard. They have the best view over the Tamar and nothing misses their eagle sharp eyes. Dropping in for tea and biscuits is one of life’s great experiences but such a visit can not be rushed without causing great offence.
* no estate agent could possibly improve on this description of what Patsy refers to as their two huts
It was therefore a great delight that one of the first guests at the Clipper Stand this year was Alex and Patsy Blagdon. This is what life in the marine business is all about.
STAND BY FOR THE CLIPPER INVASION!
And talking about old and new mates, Saturday will see the Boats Show crawling with new and old Clipper crews. As the years go by they too will continue to meet and marvel that they never get any older … just like Colin, Alec and Patsy.
Alex and Patsy still live in their character residence* behind the yard. They have the best view over the Tamar and nothing misses their eagle sharp eyes. Dropping in for tea and biscuits is one of life’s great experiences but such a visit can not be rushed without causing great offence.
* no estate agent could possibly improve on this description of what Patsy refers to as their two huts
It was therefore a great delight that one of the first guests at the Clipper Stand this year was Alex and Patsy Blagdon. This is what life in the marine business is all about.
STAND BY FOR THE CLIPPER INVASION!
And talking about old and new mates, Saturday will see the Boats Show crawling with new and old Clipper crews. As the years go by they too will continue to meet and marvel that they never get any older … just like Colin, Alec and Patsy.
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