Are we nearly there yet?: 21 March Invite to a super yacht dock party

What a treat! Two days ago the tender to a super yacht came by to give us an invitation to a dock party alongside their boat, Norn. It wasn't just us -they invited all the other yachts at anchor and in the marinas in Falmouth and English Harbours.

A quick background on Norn. It is a year old, is a distinctive design and large; at 90m long it is one of the biggest and designed to look like a military ship, painted grey with angles it is menacing. Reports say that the bottom of the swimming pool can be raised to make a dance floor. It has been at the marina alongside many other super yachts for a couple of weeks. A Google search indicates the owner as Charles Simonyi, the man who created Excel and Word for Microsoft.

On the appointed evening we casually strolled along to the marina with our friend Oloff as a plus 1 just after 6pm and were the first there. First in, last out usually.

Our initial impression was these guys know how to throw a party. We passed the security guards, spoke to a tall English man part of the crew who welcomed us, and the party scene unfolded. There was a glitter disco ball hanging from a jib with a light shining on it. Three large inflatable paddling pools filled with ice, beers and bottles of wine, tall tables covered with old charts to put your drinks and food. The food? The ships' two Swedish chefs had a pig roast, lamb roast and burgers and the stews were filling baps and handing them out. Better quality than any restaurant in town. On the deck above the dock there was a full sound mixing table and the music was fun.

Gradually more people turned up, cruisers and locals, to enjoy the generous hospitality and the dock was packed. This isn't the first dock party Norn has given. They do it as often as they can. Of course, the owner wasn't around and no-one was allowed on board.

In the last hour trays of vodka jelly shots came around and an ice luge for taking shots of rum cocktail was wheeled out.

When it was time to go I went back to the crewman who had welcomed us to say thank you. He wasn't just another crew member, he was the Chief engineer and invited David and I back the following morning for a personal tour of the engine room. A great evening – we met many fun, new people – and we are going back tomorrow.