in, er, 2007? Junketed down there by the sponsor, Panerai (sometimes being associated with sailing rags has its benefits).
I hadn't been there since Sailing Week in 1980 (or 81?)
Place has changed enormously . . . and I was greeted on almost every street corner by a sometime member of our Newport cricket team!
I did get to see some of the folks from way back when . . . early 1970s.
Back in those days nobody ever went to Falmouth Harbour except perhaps to drop anchor away from the bustle of English Harbour. Now, you can cross the bay walking on megayachts and not get your feet wet.
I have mixed feelings about these big boats. In one way they appear the epitome of waste and self-indulgence, but when you see the hordes of people working on them . . crew and local trades . . . you have to admit they do inject a lot of cash into every port they visit. I was in Newport at Thanksgiving . . . a few big'uns still prepping for the run south, and other being wrapped up for the winter. Didn't see too many "Occupy" protesters in Newport Shipyard!!! The workers would have driven them out.