That disastrous hotel venture was only just over a week ago. It was all part of celebrating a niece’s wedding in the fabulous setting of Mount Edgecumbe, just across the river Tamar from Plymouth.
It had never crossed my mind that taking the ferry would be a challenge – after all, in Portsmouth and Dover, we just drive on! Instead, it meant climbing up vertical steps on the outside of the boat, over the top and then more steps down. Thankfully only a few of the other wedding guests, similarly decked out in their finery, witnessed the drama unfolding. Once I’d struggled (with significant muscular help from crewman James) and met the truly ancient mariner who has been driving the ferry for over 60 years), they discovered that the prop was fouled. So I had to, very gingerly, undertake a ship-to-ship transfer to the replacement ferry. I knew that the river was just waiting for me in the gap but pranced across with trepidation rather than elegance. Thank goodness I’d abandoned the idea of wearing a hat …
A buggy whisked us up the long steep climb to the magnificent Mount Edgecumbe House to join in the anticipation for the main event. The ceremony passed in a flash, followed by mass photographs of confetti tossing.
The rest of the gathering departed hot foot while the buggy trundled me to the Orangery where there was no sign of those other guests and the catering staff were still setting up. Relegated to the outside seating, the sous-chef promptly disappeared to find the apiary and happily discoursed on beekeeping to other surprised visitors while I sat in the rain! Fortunately, one of the catering crew rescued me. Eventually, all the guests re-assembled, most flushed from the celebratory drinks we’d managed to miss, for an excellent “wedding breakfast” and fabulous speeches.
And another fun ferry crossing for the return: again, multiple hands helped me up vertical steps, displaying rather more well-lubricated faith than finesse, to embark in the increasing wind and rain. The captain changed our destination to a safer set of steps ashore! Life afloat is a bit trickier with a white cane …