A long time ago, back in 1989, I was in England visiting my best mate, who was working there, for the winter. He had a week off, and his boss/mate, gave us his car to drive around and see the sights.

One day we drove to Southampton, where i saw the sign for the ferry to Cowes. On a whim, we jumped on and went to see what it was all about...

I had started sailing in 1984 and raced every season on one of the local racing boats. I used to read Yachting World, Sailing World, Seahorse, and any other publication about sailing I could get my hands on. Of course Cowes Week, the Admiral's Cup and all the other races were the stuff of dreams of me...

Arriving in Cowes, we took a walk along the waterfront, and i was stunned to see all the boats I had only read about until then, lined up one next to the other...

The other thing i loved about Cowes was how even the butcher had a nautical themed name for his shop...

Back to the present though and in our very own Marina Gouvia, there is no shortage of famous yachts moored or passing through.

First of all, for years now we have had Whitefly , a sister yacht to the famous Flyer, who won the 1981-2 Whitbread Race. Also back in 1986 Columbia the 1958 defender of the America's Cup, then under French ownership, visited our harbour for a few days. I was offered a post onboard, but had to pass as I had not done my national service, a decision which I regret to this day...

About four years ago we had a veritable piece of yachting history visit Gouvia marina. This was Shamrock V. For those who don't know Shamrock V is a J-class yacht. She was built in 1930 to challenge the America's Cup by Sir Thomas Lipton. She is one of the most beautiful and big sailing yachts ever built. This wonderful yacht has since visited Corfu every year, often staying as long as a month. Over this time I have met and become friends with her wonderful crew, who we all consider to be some pretty lucky b****ds! Nick the skipper calls us his favorite chandlery as apparently we are the only place they can get light bulbs to fit their interior lights!

About a month ago on my birthday, the 6th of July, I was treated to a wonderful present. The crew and skipper of Shamrock brought me a much cherished crew t-shirt, which I had been pining for and also a home (or should i say yacht?)-baked chocolate birthday cake! And they sang Happy Birthday! And can you believe there was no one in the shop to witness it...

Anyway I want to say a big Thank you guys,and girl, for making my 43rd birthday, such a memorable one. I will wear that t-shirt until it rots off my back...
It is moments like these that really make all the effort we put in, worthwhile.

Here are a couple of videos of the lovely Shamrock V and her crew at work:





maybe one day I might get to go on a sail...