The Cook Islands ketch 'Irene' visits Bideford . . . much better than a message in a bottle! This beautiful ship moored against Bideford quay on 4th August 2013 to make repairs. She had been at Clovelly but sea conditions favoured a safer harbour in Bideford. Many a message has been sent in a bottle to ride the ocean currents to who knows where except hopefully a warm welcome . They put ships in bottles too, don't they, something grand and wonderful squeezed into such a small place, not unlike a good story. I took occasion to photograph 'Irene' and present to the crew a box of books to carry with them on their chosen tide away from Bideford to who knows where and with hope to delight someone on a far off shore. I jested with them. . . 'you can swap them for some beads' I said. Wherever they go driven by wind and tide I wish them well, God bless the ketch Irene. . . safe journey to her. Perhaps she'll sail to . . . . no, I'll not say. . . but perhaps she will and someone special will find the message. Just a dream, that's all.
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