Romance and more on The River Queen

Posted by Peter on 19 February 2011 | 90 Comments

Romance and more on The River Queen

Looking back over the past couple of weeks, it has to be Valentine’s Day that stands out. We decided to run a special twilight cruise – well, to be fair, Shona lobbied hard for the cruise and I caved in after some initial reluctance. I was nervous about advertising a special cruise, (on a Monday night), organising a crew and then preparing a heap of food, with the not inconsequential risk of only a few people booking and the whole thing going down the tubes anyway, if the weather turned sour. How to look on the bright side, eh?

Well the reality is that we were fully booked and the weather stayed fine. We provided a three course meal, topped off with a homemade rich dark chocolate mousse, served with mascapone, fresh strawberries, ice cream and a little slice of old English flapjack. It all seemed to go down rather well. So well in fact, for one couple, who announced their engagement to us on the upper deck, in the moonlight. What could we do? A bottle of No 1 Estate Cuvee No 1 was hastily summoned from the cellar as the crew’s gift to the newly engaged couple and a romantic hue hung over the rest of the evening.

The very next day was due to see our special cruise for the local mayor and councillors, but this was postponed at the 11^th hour and we’re hoping to firm up another date very soon. I’m pretty keen that the power-that-be have the opportunity to see some of the things which need looking at, BEFORE the budgets are finalised for the year ahead. Every day brings us closer to this deadline, which, if passed, could result in important work being relegated to next year’s agenda, again. So I’ll be on the phone first thing Monday to see what I can arrange. Ho, hum...

Meanwhile I would like to say thanks to the members of the local Probus group who came on board last week. You were a lovely group to have on board and I hope you all had a great time – it certainly seemed that you did!

Similarly, all of you from the Oasis Family Church who joined us for a breakfast cruise on Saturday 19^th February, thanks for your friendliness and for sharing your pancakes.

(Both these groups self-catered, so I wonder if I’m showing a bias!)

A final appreciation goes to our skipper Dylan, who reaches his 250^th cruise with us this weekend. That’s 250 cruises and he’s only been with us full time since October. Fantastic. Thanks Dylan.

Happy days all.

Peter