I have been a judge at the World Superyacht Awards for 15 years. We visit the yachts individually or at boat shows, we have judging meetings to discuss and evaluate the yachts and we celebrate the winning yachts in the respective categories at an annual Awards Dinner. Eric and Mikee have participated at several of these events before, but this was the first time they did it as adults – or nearly adults.
Jennifer was away for three weeks in the Philippines, so the three of us took care of each other, but with some clear directions from far away!
We took the train up and had a large reception at Westminster Abbey on Friday evening. On Saturday morning we were invited to visit a gallery to see modern art from artist like Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan. And then we went to the Old War Office that now is in the process of being converted to hotel and residences. We had lunch at Dolce and Gabbana (which interested Mikee more than Eric and me). In the evening we had the Gala Dinner at the Guildhall with about 400 guests present.
The slide show below shows some photos from the train ride up and all the events until we came back after the event on Sunday. But to add to the fun I have also put together a second slide show from some of the previous events, when the children were much younger.
Slide show: Eric and Mikee at World Superyacht Awards 2022
On the train up to London
The judges met for a drink at the Bvlgari bar before the large reception and Mikee watched up with Freya after not seeing each other since 2015
The reception was at Westminster Abbey, where we were given a tour of the Abbey
In party mood
In the gardens of the Abbey an orchestra entertained us
… and especially Mikee and Freya
On Saturday morning we visited Halcyon Galleries in Mayfair and saw art by Mirtch Griffiths, Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan to mention a few of the artists
Art by Mitch Griffiths. I liked the drone on top of the girl's head
The Chairman of the judges, Dick Raper, flanked by two nearly as famous characters
Eric and Mikee in front of artwork by Bob Dylan
And me imitating one of Andy Warhol's figures
A large artwork by Mitch Griffiths
Outside the gallery after the viewing. Mikee, Freya, June Lean Vercoe, Peter Wilson and Roger Lean Vercoe. Peter and Roger are fellow judges.
The next activity was a visit to the Old War Office, which was in the process of being converted to a hotel and private residences. We saw among other things Winston Churchill's old office during the Second World War. The whole project of converting the offices is budgeted to £ 1.2 billion. We had to don hard hats for the visit.
Freya, Helen Porter and Mikee during the visit
Freya and Mikee admiring the jewellery at Dolce & Gabbana
…while Eric relaxed in a chair waiting for lunch
In the evening we all dressed up in black tie and evening dress. Here outside Bvlgari Hotel weaiting to get into our cars
The World Superyacht Awards took place at the Guildhall. Here Eric and Mikee are outside the entrance
Aren't they gorgeous?
And inside at the reception area, where drinks were served
The drinks reception from above
The dining room for 400 guests was lit up with purple light as we entered
On Sunday morning we were ready to go back to Devon. Here at Paddington Station
When we came home to Knightstone, Robin Rea had prepared a lunch for us that we enjoyed in the courtyard
Mikee and Eric were happy for the two days away and I was lucky to have such nice company, although Jennifer was deeply missed by all of us and many of the other guests too
Earlier events with Boat International and the judges
The family together on Zefira, June 2011. Eric has just turned 3 and Mikee is 8 years old.
Eric was less than a year old, when he came with Jennifer and me to New York for a speech I gave about sailing in Artic or Antarctic climates and the issues you would face. And we continued to Florida for a boat show. Unfortunately we were so busy looking at yachts and looking after Eric that we didn’t have time to take any photos that are still preserved. And Adèle was already sold, when Eric was born and when Mikee came to live with us.
But Adèle’s sister ship, Marie, was christened in 2010 and Mikee joined me for the celebrations in the Med. And the year after the whole family joined in some Owners’ Club events in Monaco and we were invited to sail on Zefira, the yacht of Paola (fellow judges) and Salvatore. And in Kitzbühel in 2014 we were again the full family for some days of fun with judges meetings and presentations and lots of social events. And in 2017 we participated with several other judges in the christening of Paola’s and Salvatore’s next yacht, Ribelle. And later that year we had a meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Slide show: Eric and Mikee at earlier Superyacht events
Sailing aboard Marie, Sep 2010
Sailing in style with your own band. We never got to that level with Adèle!
The family together on Zefira, June 2011. Zefira was an earlier yacht of Paola and Salvatore. Eric has just turned 3 and Mikee is 8 years old.
Mikee and Eric watching DVD aboard Zefira before departure
Eric fell asleep on a sunbed, when we anchored at an island
Mikee in Monaco 2011
On a small boat outside Monaco
Mikee played a game with the other superyacht owners and judges. Her company was much appreciated and Mikee handled all the attention well.
We had a judging meeting in.Kitzbuhel Feb 2014. Eric is 5 and Mikee 11.
Approaching the goal after an exciting tobogganing run.
While the judges discussed yachts, the partners played curling. Here is the winning curling team. Photo Teresa
Relaxing in the sunshine after the games. Photo Teresa
Two tough girls preparing to make Kitzbühel dangerous
We had dinner up in the mountains above Kitzbühel all attendees dressed in traditional Austrian dresses.
Dressed up before the dinner
We went to Monaco for the celebration of Ribelle, who was Paola's and Salvatore's yacht after Zefira
On the quay we met Bill Duker, another judge, who was there to celebrate Ribelle as well
Eric and Jennifer on deck. Eric is 8 years old
Mikee is 14 years.
Listening to a speach before dinner at the Monaco Yacht Club celebrating Ribelle. Eric is listening too, but at something entirely different
At the World Superyacht Awards in Florence, May 2017. Eric is 8 years old.
The Grand Mosque at Abu Dhabi seen from our hotel across the water. We had a judges meeting in Abu Dhabi in November 2017.
Inside the central courtyard of the mosque. We visited in the evening, when the light was magnificent.and the temperature bearable
Jennifer, Eric and Mikee dressed appropriately for the mosque. Eric is 9, Mikee 15 and Jennifer around 25.
We made a day trip into the desert and said hello to the dromedars
