Sundays

Most of the week the River Seine has been devoid of people – apart from the commercial traffic. However, on Sundays the sullen fishermen appeared attached to their lines. Most people, including the bargees, waved to us as we passed by; but not the fishermen. We also encountered many people rowing and occasionally a relatively small family cruiser out for the day. The numbers of these increased as we drew nearer to the city until finally we reached Maisons-Laffitte, about 60 kilometres from the centre of Paris. Here the entire river was blocked by dozens of small yachts. Everybody knows that power gives way to sail so we could have been there all day.

With a flourish, the commodore drew alongside Jomima and noticed our Red Ensign. He then shouted, “Follow me” and set off at about twice our usual speed towards the fleet of yachts. Like Moses parting the waters, the small boats all moved aside to let us through. There was very little wind for them so they all enjoyed riding our wake as we passed swiftly by. We were probably the highlight of their day and it certainly improved ours.