I don't know why but Calmis somehow figured largely in my mind as the social epicentre of Pontoon #17. I think I could be contested on this but certainly this big barely beast of a boat stood out amongst us cruisers. 11 tons, two masts she was a sailor cruiser from another era. Perhaps the 70's . . . Eric and Simone were the stalwart adventurers with Mathieu and Louise along for the ride. It was an international boat. Somehow, Australian, French, and French Canadian all at the same time. This picture was taken on the day of departure. The night before we had a cracking send off in Olivier's boat. Here are some of the photo's he so kindly copied for me.
Pontoon 17 was the social epicentre of the anchorage. Inevitably I would come in from my anchored boat to partake in a social gathering on pontoon 17. Olivier's party for Calmis typified for me what has been so exciting about being in the Canaries and amongst a similarly aged and disposed community of like minded souls. There is something magical about sitting amongst a group of people who speak, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and English and listen to languages get swapped back and forth so everyone can communicate. Absolute magic. And on this particular night the thanks goes out to Olivier who spontaneously held a party for the departure of Calmis. I forgot to mention Costas, Calmis's ship's dog. I think he just spoke dog.