In memory of Sally Jaques by June Hall
/SALLY JAQUES
Sally Jaques was a long time family member of the DYC, along with her husband Bill, skipper of Corner Bar Cruiser.
Whilst Sally did not share her husband’s enthusiasm for racing in our club events, she was always present in a supportive role; providing cookies for the after race cuppa, or raising or lowering club flags on occasions when Bill was not able to do so.
Sally did, however, join us when the race finished in Gulf Harbour, or Greenhithe in the days when that was the destination for the Icebreaker Race. Sometimes there were grandchildren to collect if they were racing too.
When it came to sailing, Sally enjoyed the destinations more than the voyage getting there. One time Sally and I drove up to Whangaroa to meet Bill and Michael who had made the challenging 4 day sail up the coast to this most beautiful harbour. Sally continued on holiday with Bill whilst Michael and I drove back to Auckland. We later joined them at Great Barrier Island with our own yacht Memories.
Sally and Bill retired about 7 years ahead of us and we listened with much interest as their plans evolved to purchase a barge in Holland and fit her out to meet their needs. Their subsequent voyages on the waterways through The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany were full of wonderment for me.
Dankbaarheid — Sally and Bill’s barge
Sadly, we were so tied up establishing a business of our own we were unable to take them up on offers to share a little time travelling with them. However, they were an inspiration for us. Sally shimmied up and down lock ladders, handled the ropes to and from the bow of the 16m barge, directed the captain in the wheelhouse via hand signals...6m…3m…1m… & so on.
Sally conversed with the lock-keepers and other ‘bargees’ from various countries. She had an aptitude for languages and indeed kept up with her French language group long after Dankbaarheid was sold.
bill, sally and Mike by our dutch cruiser lejand
Sally gave me the confidence to believe that we too could enjoy adventures on the canals and rivers that made up the network of European waterways and upon our retirement this is indeed the path we followed. We were delighted back in 2007 when Sally and Bill joined us in Strasbourg and we travelled through to Lutzelbourg aboard our 10m Dutch cruiser ‘Lejand”. A different style of boat and hence a different experience of travelling along the canals. Sally enjoyed sitting quietly, reading or simply gazing out the window at the scenery slipping by. Sally and Bill were never bored with our travel slide shows – village by village we all had memories to share.
Sally’s adventurous spirit, listening ear, supportive words and actions were much appreciated. She made a difference in our lives and will be forever in our memories.
June & Michael Hall