The house residents were up early this morning. I’d like to think that it was sunshine, breezes, yoghurt and blueberries at the beach that motivated everyone. But Greek-mom was working on her English, I was finishing pitch-prep, and the kids had an early shift cooking. Only the cardiologist was sleeping in after late duty in imaging.
This really needed to change.
Boat show? I asked, making sailing motions with my fingers. Greek-mom brightened and slapped her books shut. 
“Ready at 10,”, she offered, continuing into a mixed language soliloquy. In a full and happy (Greek) life, one needs regular doses of (in order of importance) relaxation, warm sun, blue water, and strong coffee.
Tik-tik-tik-tik…,” “she motioned, mimicking my heavy-handed typing and shaking her head.
I get the message.
The car warmed up along with the day (although 12C-Dorset qualified as “mild winter” for the Greeks), and off we went to Poole. The First Annual Poole Harbour Boat Show was spread across the Old Town Quay, a mix of tall ships, new motor- and sail- boats, and tents with every water-related charity imaginable.
I wandered the decks of the tall ship, lusted for a 57-foot sailboat (“only £800 per day charter, Isle of Wight and back,” suggested the salesman, hopefully).
Out on the water, a group of dingy-sailors practiced figure-8’s. The Dorset Wrecks sang a cappella sea shanties from the music stage.
Time for a break, people-watching over thick Italian brew and sugary cakes. Greek-mom said that one should always spend 
more than 5 hours when a table and coffee are available, talking, laughing,and tanning.
I allowed half that, absorbing a mix of Greek culture and politics, a mother’s worries about her daughter, and the (familiar) trials of residency and national insurance registration in the UK.
‘all in all, a nice event and a lovely day to (almost) be on the water.
