This is going to be one
of the hardest blogs to write as it contains some pretty grim news.
However, over the years I have become very attached to you all –
and especially those who send encouraging emails or leave comments.
So . . .
As you know I was
suffering from anaemia at the back end of last year. As a result I
have been taking medication to increase my blood count and that has
been working (I feel better now than I did then) but it left
unanswered the basic question: why was it happening? We now know. I
have a malignant tumour growing in my oesophagus and that is at the
root of all the problems.
It has been decided –
I have decided – that an operation is not an option. All the advice
is that I would be extremely lucky to survive what would be major
surgery. So, more and more tests as we look at other treatments. I
will keep you informed but I have no intention of dwelling on this in
future blogs.
My apologies for
ignoring last week’s comments (and messages via email, Facebook and
so on). I am sure you will now understand why.
 |
| Achieve with David Griffiths at the helm. |
Only one photograph
this week: Achieve. She is that blue boat moored on the river
Dart. Now in semi-retirement, all she does is help with the ferry
between the town and the castle at the river mouth during the height
of the season. She was, however, the River Dart Pilot Boat until the
river trade came to an end with the closure of the Baltic Wharf in
Totnes. The name gives the purpose away: it was through this river
that much of the timber from the Baltic ports that was destined for
use in the west country was imported.
Achieve belongs
to my friend David Griffiths: one time and last River Dart Pilot. One
day, about thirty years ago, I suppose, I accompanied him out of the
river on board Achieve (crewed
for the occasion be Messrs Distin and Bell) and we – David and I –
boarded one of those ships from the Baltic (climbing a rather scary
Jacob’s ladder). From the bridge I watched as David threaded this
ship up the river – and I use the word ‘threaded’ very
advisedly because there are places where the channel is both very
narrow and very tortuous.
Achieve
was already in Totnes when we arrived, her crew ashore to take the
bow warps as David turned the ship around in the turning bay before
sliding her gently alongside the Baltic Wharf to await unloading.
Then
it was back down the river to Dartmouth. It had been a wonderful day
– and profitable. At the time I was writing a regular column for
Yachts and Yachting
and the experience gave me ample material for one of my pieces.
