For the
Tars, there are good days and great days. The 27th August was a
great day as we made our second voyage on the “Scillonian” from Penzance to St
Marys and back, compliments of Isles of Scilly Travel.
We were on
board to entertain the passengers and to raise funds for the RNLI, and were
delighted that the RNLI buckets were rattling to the tune of £381.53 by the
time we got back to Penzance. Not bad given the weather conditions, which were
challenging, making “heaving shanties “particularly apt. There were some
firsts. We are used to performing for audiences of varied hues-this was the
first time the prevailing skin tone was a lighter shade of green. Also the
first time that most of the audience had their eyes closed throughout our
performances. And the first time a Tar has shared his breakfast with the people
in the front row. Plus Mike’s banjo threatening to do serious damage as it
swung with the swell!
But we were
all well enough when ashore in St Marys to go and visit our friends in the
Seasalt Shop and entertain their customers, who looked much happier than the
passengers on the “Scillonian”. I wonder why?
Photo courtesy Paul Semmens
