Here’s a photo from this morning when the harbour pilot landed on the ship.
Today’s pick-up of the harbour pilot at Bordeaux Pilot Station was, well, eventful.
I’ll say that, although I’m not sure it’s the perfect word. You know those moments when something happens, and you’re so caught off guard you can’t quite find the right word to describe it? That’s how I felt.
Normally, the pilot boards the ship by boat. But today? A helicopter swooped down from the sky, like something straight out of an action movie. Talk about an unexpected twist for a typical Saturday morning, right? It felt like a scene from a spy thriller—minus the explosions and intense music, of course.
So yes, I’ll stick with “eventful” for now. It’s definitely not every day a helicopter drops off the pilot!
Though, on second thought, “unusual” might be the better word. But honestly, it doesn’t really matter what word I use—what matters most is that the harbour pilot landed safely on the ship. That smooth landing was key to making sure we’re now sitting here in one of France’s most beautiful ports: Bordeaux.
In the end, the fact that we’re here, in such a stunning location, shows just how well the pilot did his job.
I finished my watch while the Balmoral was halfway along the river to Bordeaux. After handing over my duties, I went to my cabin, eager for some rest.
When I woke up hours later, the ship was already docked in port. It’s amazing how much can change while you’re asleep. It’s a strange feeling—waking up to a completely different scene from when you last closed your eyes—but here we are, in port.
As for today, Bordeaux is enjoying sunny weather, with clear skies and a pleasant breeze. The perfect setting to explore the city, I suppose.
But, I’m still undecided—do I go ashore to explore, or do I stay and enjoy the view from the ship?
Seafarer and Family Man
I'm Dexter— a seafarer by profession, a traveler by passion, and a homebody by choice.
