The Dinner
After we slept at least a little, we start to get ready for the dinner in Royal Mersey Yacht Club. The Club is located on the other side of the river Mersey. There are two tunnels to cross the river. The system to pay the toll here is easier, especially for rental cars. There are pay machines and they accept Apple Pay as well.
The Royal Mersey Yacht Club is located in an area that has once been much more prosperous. There are still some old villas, but the old glamour is gone. The whole area is quite industrial and an oil terminal next door defines the atmosphere. The Yacht Club itself has still a lively racing culture with smaller keelboats. It is mid of April and numerous of that keelboats are still on the hard, boat types we have never heard of. Especially of the Royal Mersey Mylnes, a keelboat that has been designed specifically for the RMYC.
„The club room“
This year the RMYC is celebrating its 180th anniversary. In 1844 it has been founded and Queen Victoria herself was the first patron of the club. The blue burgee of the club shows one off the Liver Birds. Probably Bella who watches the sea, welcoming incoming sailors. And members of the RMYC are allowed to fly the blue ensign on their boats. Already in autumn 1844 the club received that Royal Warrant.
„The Patrons“
We are a bit early and arrive almost at the same time as the commodore. With the first “whence” and “whither” we are picked up and taken under the wings of the commodore and his wife. A little astonished we look around the clubhouse. A time-honoured tradition is all around us. Slowly more and more guests arrive and we are introduced and right in the middle of it all. The new guests are truly interested. Not all of them are in the OCC also, but sailing brings them all together.
„The dining room“
We are welcomed with a glass of champagne and shortly afterwards we are introduced to Bob Shepton. Bob is 87 years old now and was back in Greenland last year. Not with his own boat but with a friend’s ship, which they had to leave behind because the weather was simply too bad.
To meet Bob is an outstanding experience. He’s really an exceptional personality. Tomorrow he’s going to receive the OCC Lifetime Award right after we have received our OCC Seamanship Award. We won’t forget his lively acceptance speech. 17 Atlantic crossings, most of them on the northern route, circumnavigation, Antartica and twice the Northwest Passage. Without any question there’s still a bit more to discover for us. 😂
Traditional local specialities are served for dinner. My mum would have said, it’s German Graupensuppe without salt. 😂 However, the topping with pickled beetroot is new to us.
There is a lively chatter at the tables the whole time. It’s not always easy to follow the conversations. Our English is often a little overrated. Shortly before midnight, we drive back to the hotel a little exhausted.
The Award
Saturday morning we join the OCC annual meeting. This makes clear once again how much the OCC is based on a lively cruising scene. Many of the posts are posted as videos because officials and members are currently cruising somewhere in the world.
„The Annual Dinner starts“
In the evening the Awards dinner starts. We have to admit, we are a little nervous. We are not used to give a free speech in English. Last year after we have sailed for months in Irland and Britain it would have been easier. We realise that we have been in Germany for too long again. The words don’t want to come out as easily as they did a few months before. Our heads are already thinking in English again, but we’re still lacking a bit of spontaneity.
The award dinner takes place at the Leonardo Hotel Liverpool. As we arrive, there are already more people than yesterday in the RMYC. The old and the new commodore lead through the evening. One by one, all the awards are presented. Many of the awardees could not come because the journey was simply too far.
Shortly before 10 pm it’s our turn. Eoin Robson gives us a short introduction. We are well prepared and, after two days, our English is already quite good again. Our speech is a little emotional, but after all, it is a special moment. It’s an extraordinary honour to have been awarded by the committee of such exceptional sailors.
„We receive the OCC Seamanship Award 2023.“
„However, the trophy must remain with the OCC, …“
„… but our names are written on a small inscription. “
After the award dinner we talk to many of the members until midnight. We already know some of them by name because they have written cruising guides. It’s great to meet these people. We will certainly visit one or two of them when we are sailing again.
We don’t get back to the hotel until late. Tomorrow we have another day for a bit of sightseeing and to show Gelb and Tröti Liverpool.
„The two had to stay in the hotel this time …“
