Piers has a corker of a red eye click to enlargeRed, green, red – is it a preferred channel marker? A port hand marker with seaweed?
“Woke up, got out of bed…”
As the song goes, “Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head”. And then I looked in the mirror, and saw an horrific sight! A red eye looking back at me.
For some unknown reason, it was completely bloodshot. Possibly not the prettiest sight know to man.
How?
How did it happen? No ‘eyedea’. It just happened. No pain, no blurred vision. It was just red. No feeling of anything being in the eye.
It’s interesting watching peoples’ reaction. Some see, study for a second or so, and look at the other eye as though there was nothing wrong. Others look, frown, come closer and say in a somewhat accusatory tone, “What on earth is wrong with your eye?” Subtle and caring…
No, I’ve not become a vampire. Just a bit self conscious!
Piers and Nurse Lin
from the sick bay of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
The RCIYC (Guernsey) Cruising Trophy click to enlargeWe won the RCIYC Cruising Trophy!
Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club
My father, Derek du Pré, a Jerseyman and keen sailor had been a member of the RCIYC for many years.
Following in his footsteps, it was de rigueur to join which we did soon after purchasing our first Play d’eau, a Princess V39.
Shall we? Shan’t we?
Soon after returning from our brilliant cruise of the west coast of France last year, the RCIYC asked members to submit their 2013 cruising logs to see who might be awarded their Cruising Trophy.
‘Come on,’ said Lin, ‘it’s worth a try.’
I did. We emailed the RCIYC Secretary.
We won!
The Merrill Lyle Cruising Trophy with Play d’eau and our names on it! click to enlargeAnd we won! It was so exciting. But what exactly had we won?
At the club, Stuart Crisp, Commodore, presented us with the Trophy. A 9″ intricate ivory carving of a Chinese skiff. It’s so detailed, so beautiful.
I couldn’t help but think of Dad, who, in his 21′ sailing boat, Alouette, would sail the islands, the French coast, and race against the Jersey RNLI in foul weather.
I wondered what his cruising logs would have looked like?
Piers and Lin
from the chart table of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
First, holes were drilled into the granite walls Granite dust flew everywhere click to enlargeFollowing our previous post (The Trumpet shall sound), we can happily report that the walls didn’t fall down.
Just in case
Just to be on the safe side, Beaucette Marina is making sure the walls won’t fall down.
For the last two months, Matt and Jake of Geomarine quarry engineers have been working in Beaucette marina, pegging walls with two metre rods, strapping with cable, and on part of the west wall, covering with netting.
Why now?
Following surveys by the States of Guernsey in the late 1960s, before the east wall was blasted by The Royal Engineers to create an entrance from the sea to the quarry, concern was raised over the stability of the quarry’s walls.
However, detailed inspection proved the walls to be stable.
But that was 45 years ago. A recent survey from geologists raised fresh concerns over certain areas, and especially part of the west wall which just happens to be where Play d’eau is moored!
Reinforcing
The work has involved drilling deep holes into the rock face, inserting hundreds of two metre rods and fixing them with grout before strapping heavy gauge cable between them.2m long rods were fixed with grout click to enlargeIn one particular area of the west wall, where Play d’eau is moored, netting has been hung as well.
With 316 stainless steel being used throughout, the netting is covered in a heavy grey plastic coating.
Teas and Coffees
We have to admit, it’s been somewhat noisy. What with the hammer drilling, the pneumatic clipping to hold the nets together and the screaming grinding of the hundreds of rods, echoes reverberated around the quarry.
Seeing the men working so hard, suspended and hanging down the walls by ropes, we felt we had to give them regular hot teas and coffees. One sugar each, with just a spalsh of milk, twice a day, please.
The spin off was periods of glorious peace as they downed tools to refresh themselves. Time to hear the oyster catchers again, time to revel in the quiet, yet all too soon shattered as the air compressor re-started heralding the bursting into life of the heavy power tools.Nets were hung and clipped together click to enlargeAh, well, not too long until the next round of teas and coffees.
Piers and Lin
from the anechoic chamber of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
It was Alain, the trumpeter from the Cornouaille Jazz Band! He’d arrived in St Peter Port from Port La Forêt in his 6m yacht and could we meet.
Parking on St Peter Port’s Victoria Pier there was no mistaking Alain’s bright red yacht. He told me that 40 years ago his father had sailed with him to Guernsey in this very yacht.
Not having been back in all that time, he felt it was right to make the pilgrimage and at the same to meet Lin and I again.
An audience
After some delicious Breton Cidre, Alain produced his piccolo trumpet. ‘Just for you,’ he said.Alain played on the back of Play d’eau… click to enlargeAlain played and played, ending with the British National Anthem. Cries of ‘Encore’ and ‘Bravo’ came from the impromptu audience that had gathered on the adjacent piers.
A visit to Play d’eau
The next day, Alain joined us on board Play d’eau. Jason, a Frenchman who lives in Guernsey and keeps his yacht, Bullet, next to us, joined the party to ensure we didn’t miss any conversation.
Lin had made some delicious canapés, and with bottles of Guernsey cider we toasted Port la Forêt and the Cornouaille Jazz Band. When the cider was exhausted, rosé appeared.
Before leaving, Alain produced his trumpet again declaring it was only right to play on Play d’eau, in Beaucette.
Alain played his heart out. His piccolo trumpet echoing around the Beaucette’s quarry walls. Again, an audience appeared. After many encores, it was, sadly, time to go.
A two-way promise
…and the whole of Beaucette was rewarded click to enlargeWe promised to return to Port la Forêt and in return Alain promised to bring his band to play on Play d’eau en masse.
One condition. Breton Cidre.
Piers and Lin
from the bandstand of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Diccon and family gaze out to sea on the south coast click to enlargeAs one son and his family left, another arrived.
So excited
As soon as Diccon and Charlottes’ two children, Oscar and Maia, scrambled down the Flybe aircraft steps, they started running towards the terminal building leaving Mum and Dad behind. Baggage in hand, all four emerged from Customs and the children ran into our arms.
With cries of ‘Can we go to the beach?’ and ‘Can we go on the boat?’ we find the car, drive to Beaucette Marina and board Play d’eau. The sun is out in all her shining glory and it’s hot.
Beaches and Walks
Suitably smothered with oils and lotions for protection from the blazing sun, L’Ancresse and Pembroke Bay were first on the list. Walking along the coast line past Fort Doyle and Fort Le Marchand, low tide showed off the vast sandy beaches where explorations of pools, worm casts and seaweed brought squeals of delight.
South Coast
Oscar makes the seagulls fly in Le Petit Bôt Bay click to enlargeWaking to a slight overcast, a walk along the south coast from Saints Bay to Petit Bôt Bay with its Loop-holed Tower and mandatory tea-room was eagerly chosen.
With so many roads closed we couldn’t leave a car at Petit Bôt Bay. Simple. We’d walk both ways!
Instead of potential rain, the skies cleared and the sun shone. With wellies and rain coats in rucksacks rather than suntan lotion, some of us were somewhat reddened by the time we returned.
Beaucette Restaurant
A meal out saw us at Beaucette Restaurant (again) with all six of us. With cushions for Oscar and Maia, we spent the next two hours eating, laughing, and being spoiled for choice. The wines were good as well…
Until next time
Low tide shows off acres of sandy beach at L’Ancresse Bay click to enlargeOur time together went far too quickly and the now all too familiar drive to the airport saw us motoring along the coast road. Errors on their boarding passes meant a close shave to missing their flight, but they didn’t.
Lin and I gave yet more hugs to the children, waved goodbye, and headed for the car.
With no more family to take their place, there were no more shriekings and no more clamourings of ‘What are we doing tomorrow?’. Play d’eau seemed empty when we returned. But soon we found the odd shell, sprinklings of sand and sticky finger marks. Memories. Glorious!
Until next time. Mmmm.
Piers and Lin
from the memory banks of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Ricky takes the family to Herm for the afternoon click to enlargeA treat! Our eldest and his family flew over to stay with us on Play d’eau for a long Bank Holiday weekend.
The sun comes out
Mid-afternoon last Saturday, we met his family at Guernsey’s airport and took the coast road back to Beaucette. In a display of welcome to Guernsey, out came the sun banishing the grey clouds to England and creating a clear blue sky just for us.
Gloriously indulgent
With the excited children safely tucked up in their bunks and with two-way radios just in case (!) we climbed the pontoon walkway for dinner in the Beaucette Restaurant.
Yet again, Chef James delighted us all with Seafood specials, lobster and crab tians, lamb, and fish and chips. Cholesterol level challenging deserts appeared closely followed by teas and coffees and chocolates.
We lingered over two lovely bottles of wine (a fragrant New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a mellow South African Boschendal Cabernet and Merlot blend) and glasses of Muscat for desert. What a gloriously indulgent way to start a holiday.Hammering off at a crazily high speed click to enlargeBeing low tide, we had to negotiate the steep walkways back down to the pontoons…
Sunday
Excitement levels were high. Breakfast disappeared in a trice. In no time at all we were in the cars bound for Pembroke Bay. The son of a couple on a neighbouring boat was with us.
The sun was hot, the air clear and filled with ozone, sea and sun tan lotion. ‘Ice cream’ was the cry. ‘Cricket first’ was the response.
Exhausted (parents more than children) and all ice-creamed up, we headed back to Play d’eau for lunch. Whilst children played more cricket, football, and bounced on Beaucette’s trampoline, we dozed and slept a while.
Monday
It might have rained a bit in the night, but spirits were in no way dampened. After lunch, Ricky, Beaucette’s Marina Manager, took the family to explore Herm on his crazily fast RIB whilst we took our daughter-in-law back to the airport. Sadly, she had to be back at work the next day.
Tuesday
The son of a couple on a neighbouring boat joined us for cricket at L’Ancresse Bay click to enlargeWith more beach and cricket, our grandson ended up determined to swim. Despite warning it would be cold, he ran into the water and swam for fifteen minutes. A brave, determined, young man at eleven years old.
Wednesday – all change
Whilst our eldest packed, I went to the airport to collect another of our sons, his wife and two children. For a period, we were all together with the four grandchildren running around shrieking and causing mayhem – exactly what grandchildren should do!
After lunch it was back to the airport to drop off our eldest and his two children for their return flight to the mainland.
Piers
from the Pilot house of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Graham (and Frances) keep Woolly Mammoth in ‘the other island’ click to enlargeI’m back on Play d’eau and all is well with life. Very well.
Woolly Mammoth
Having followed my time in hospital for a rebuild of my prostate last week, our dear friends, Graham and Frances of Woolly Mammoth have penned an ‘Ode to Pee’.
It’s brilliant!
Ode to Pee
We thought we’d write this little verse, now you’ve seen the Doc and Nurse;
And they’ve unclogged your blocked up drain, enabling you to Pee again.
We also thought it would be nice, to give a bit of our advice
‘Cause you’re not used to good full flow, whenever you may want to go.
When you’re next having a great time, stand up and shout, I WANT MORE WINE;
Your tank will fill so just take care, that you don’t Pee it everywhere.
When you are full we recommend, that you yourself can just pretend
On your next visit to the Loo, stand back, take aim like firemen do.
Please don’t mind our little tease, we just want you to be at ease;
It’s wonderful now you can Wee, all we can do is shout YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEE……..
Woolly Mammoth
Piers
from the Pilot house of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Beaucette Marina
Owen Cole of The Medical Specialist Group click to enlargeIt’s Saturday and Lin’s on her way to collect me, homeward bound to Play d’eau in Beaucette Marina, Guernsey.
In a nutshell
Guernsey’s Princess Elizabeth Hospital; The Victoria Wing; a successful TURP operation; zero side effects; many friends made, and I think – correction, I know – I’ve put on weight.
The Victoria Wing
After wondering for ages how best to describe my three day stay in The Victoria Wing, I have at last found the right words. A treat. It really was. I was spoiled. A special treat. And my health insurance was paying for it.
Medical matters
If the truth be told, I’m a wimp when it comes to medical matters. I wasn’t looking forward to having the TURP but I knew it had to be done.
I’d met Owen Cole, the Island’s consultant urologist at Guernsey’s ‘The Medical Specialist Group‘. We’d talked for a long time, not only about my prostate and prostates in general, but boating and music.
Google researching had eliminated the last shred of doubt. Without sounding patronising, Owen Cole is right at the top of his profession.
A holiday
So the last three days have been like a holiday. OK, it had it’s time of stress but that’s the same with any holiday, n’est ce pas?
I checked into The Victoria Wing, was shown to my room (complete with en suite); the bed was comfy and had a controller which was more fun than any TV remote; wi-fi, and a room service call button labelled ‘nurse call’.
The staff
And now to The Victoria Wing’s staff. We all know that the greatest asset in any business is its staff. The staff make the business. The same applies to The Victoria Wing where their staff is supreme.
From the moment I arrived everyone made me feel at ease, at home, valued and cared for. It was so reassuring.
The cooking
In a 5 star hotel you’d expect good cooking, wouldn’t you? But in The Victoria Wing it’s even better. Unexpected? Yes.
I’d heard about the Chefs, both called Dave, but thought some of the stories had to be urban myth.
Chef Dave
10:30am. A knock on the door. ‘Come in,’ I called.
‘Good morning, Mr du Pré. I’m your Chef, Chef Dave. What would you like for lunch today?’
‘What’s on the menu?’ I asked. ‘Well, I have a suggested à la Carte menu which I’ve put together for today, but maybe it’s easier if I tell you the ingredients we’ve had delivered this morning from which we can make anything you’d like.’
Ideas of the urban myth were being blown out of the water. ‘Apart from most vegetables including some lovely asparagus, we have just had in some turbot, brill, cod, salmon, smoked salmon and scallops – hand dived, of course. We have beef fillet, pork, rack of lamb and veal. It’s all fresh every day. We keep nothing in the freezer except ice-cream and peas.’
Had I died and gone to heaven? Maybe not the best comment to make given I was in hospital.
Two lunches, three dinners, and I know I’ve put on weight. And I haven’t even mentioned the breakfasts with bacon, fried bread, fried egg…
Guernsey is blessed
There’s no doubt that Guernsey is well and truly blessed by having such a competent team in the Urology department of The Specialist Medical Group and such lovely and dedicated staff to run The Victoria Wing.
Leaving today
On the one hand, I’m sad to be leaving. Everyone’s been so lovely and I’ve really enjoyed myself. On the other hand, I can’t wait to be back home with Lin and Play d’eau.
And I want to tell everyone ‘I can pee!’ It’s such a relief – literally. I can pee as if I was eighteen again. Success all round.
Thank you Owen Cole, The Victoria Wing, its staff, and last but not least by any means, Chef Dave.
I just wonder. Do you think Lin will bring me a menu to discuss tomorrow morning?
Piers
…about to leave…
The Victoria Wing, Princess Elizabeth Hospital
…en route and able to pee, to… Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Beaucette Marina
Princess Elizabeth Hospital click to enlargeMany of you will know that almost a decade ago, I was found to have prostate cancer.
Least aggressive
Thankfully, the cancer was ‘micro’ and of the least aggressive type flavour.
The consultant recommended a ‘watch and pounce’ approach with six monthly PSA checks. These checks have stayed constant and have raised no cause for concern.
Benign enlargement
The nuisance was that a few years ago, the prostate began to swell causing difficulty in peeing. Investigation found this to be caused by ‘benign’ swelling (benign prostatic hyperplasia – BPH) of the prostate which is reasonably common in men as they age.
Initially, I was put on the drug Tamulosin to relax the prostate. This worked for a period of time, but as its effectiveness declined another drug was prescribed called Finasteride.
This was simply horrid. At first there was intense itching. Then man-boobs started appearing. As the itching worsened, HoLep surgery was recommended.
HoLep
On 27 November 2012, I was admitted to the Circle Hospital, Berkshire, where I had a HoLep operation.
But after a year, peeing became difficult again. Having moved to Guernsey I met with the Island’s Urologist, Mr Owen Cole, of the Medical Specialist Group.
An MRI was conducted which was found to be clear. However, it showed that 30% by volume of the prostate was scar tissue caused by the HoLep.
Thankfully my private insurance covers this and provides two main benefits: the urologist’s mobile number, and the Chef.
The Chef
Apparently, Chef will come and take orders for what I’d like to eat. And if it’s not on the à la Carte menu, he’ll secure the ingredients and cook it for me.
Result!
Somehow, I feel masses amounts of scallops to be the order of my stay in hospital.
Piers
Sick Bay Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Beaucette Marina
