Recession? Spending cuts? Economic crisis? Have you been down to Volendam harbour lately? It's buzzing. In the early autumn sunshine the rich are enjoying the last of the year's sailing opportunities and making hay whilst the sun shines.
The harbour is dripping money! It's a show and the boat owners are milking it for all they're worth (which is evidently a considerable sum). Eating and drinking al fresco are the favourite fashion accessories - wining and dining at leisure on board their designer yachts, while the groupies gape and fulfil their purpose in life by loitering, admiring, inflating egos and standing in awe, whilst routine tasks are performed with panache - tying knots, adjusting floats, polishing brass and tinkering with engines, ropes, rigging and anything that's not tied down.
Out there on the ocean it's a serious business; it's a life and death sport with rigorous rules that must be observed in the battle against the elements. In port it's a different story. It's apparently one big game, requiring only a chilled glass of Chardonnay, a few nibbles, a ton of money and a cool, cool attitude. There have been winners and losers in this recession - it's the same in every game.
No comments:
Post a Comment