Table of Contents
The tragedy of the deaths of tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his daughter and others on the ill-fated Bayesian is a reminder that no matter how rich and successful we are, the sea is a cruel mistress and beholden to no man or woman.
The yacht was certainly a source of great pride and joy, and a symbol of Lynch’s business success. Owning a boat is often a favorite symbol of a self-made tycoon’s achievements.
I don’t mean for a moment to suggest that Lynch was an extravagant braggart – indeed, those who knew him claim he was anything but. But I’ve long found it curious that men (and women) accustomed to being in absolute control of their lives often buy a boat as a prize of choice.
These superyachts may be the ultimate in luxury. Topshop’s Philip Green had a huge wine shop filled with very expensive bottles of Petrus, stacked so that the prestigious brand was on full display for any passerby.
Others may have helipads, swimming pools, saunas, mini sailing yachts and jet skis. Cabins and lounges can be designed to your specification, as waking up at sea is a wonderful experience, watching the sunrise over the Aegean from the terrace of your own bedroom.
The tragedy of the deaths of tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch (seen), his daughter and others, in the ill-fated Bayesian is a reminder that no matter how rich and successful we are, the sea is a cruel mistress.
The ill-fated Bayesian sailboat, photographed on August 19 before sinking that night
Mr Lynch is pictured with his daughter Hannah, who also died on the boat.
On board, you are the master of your universe.
But while it is rare for a large yacht like the Bayesian to sink so terrifyingly quickly, once at sea, all ships are dominated by nature. No matter how luxurious and fabulous the ship is, it will still be a secondary element against the tides.
Superyachts are stranded for days by summer winds in the Cyclades and planned voyages are blown off course in the Mediterranean or Caribbean by unforeseen weather conditions.
Eight-hundred-thread-count sheets cannot prevent nauseating movement during the night when the boat is anchored in heavy waves.
Perhaps the appeal of yachting is that highly motivated and successful people, who are used to having the final say in everything they do, find an element of freedom in ceding control to nature.
Many people like the element of risk in their work, something that is always present at sea. There are no certainties on the waves.
It is terrible that Mike Lynch, who had just escaped a prison sentence in the United States, should have fallen into this risk.
The Swifties’ devotion was pretty terrifying.
I’ve seen a lot of great live shows over the years (Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Madonna), but I’ve never seen an audience like Taylor Swift’s.
At Wembley Stadium, 92,000 utterly enthralled fans (meaning that over her eight nights there, she played to three-quarters of a million people in London alone) were decked out in the Swiftie uniform: sequins, friendship bracelets and cowboy hats.
The show was sensational and very funny, but it was also terrifying to see how one person can attract so much devotion.
Swift was able to bring us all to our feet singing every word and applauding every sentiment.
Yet such a display of obsessive admiration made it awfully easy to imagine how a malevolent force could turn it into something akin to a Nuremberg rally: sinister and violent.
Take the test, before it’s too late
Last week I wrote in the Daily Mail about my recent bowel cancer treatment, which I found out about thanks to the NHS bowel cancer screening programme, which, like many other people over 54, I am lucky enough to have access to for free.
I didn’t have any symptoms that would suggest a problem.
When I was diagnosed and told others how my cancer had been discovered, I was shocked that many had thrown their test kit in the trash or put it aside to be done “another time.”
Alexandra Shulman (seen in hospital) survived breast cancer three years ago but has now been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
My GP told me that overall uptake of the test is unfortunately very low, no doubt because people are too lazy or too afraid of the result. But he told me that patients should not be afraid, especially as I was the first person he had met in his practice who had a positive cancer diagnosis after having the test.
I wrote the article to illustrate the importance of taking these tests seriously, something many people don’t do.
Now, eight weeks after the operation, I have recovered and feel fine. But if I had waited months to have the tests done, the outcome could have been very different.
It has been extremely gratifying to hear from many readers who are determined to take the test and send their sample in by mail.
Why a new wardrobe is simply the best thing
The photograph accompanying my article was taken by Mark Harrison, the Mail’s regular portrait photographer. It’s hell to photograph me because I hate being photographed and I’m very particular about what I will and won’t do.
To cheer me up (and no doubt to quiet my complaints), he told me how excited his wife was about the new closet they had installed. She said it was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Better than having kids.
I understand that perfectly.
There’s something special about being able to keep all your clothes in one place, instead of having them scattered everywhere. Every time you look inside and see that they’re neatly organized in a new closet, before everything gets messy, you feel like all is right with the world.
Star Michelle’s Faint Praise for ‘My Girl’
“What a performance Michelle Obama gave endorsing Kamala Harris at the Democratic Convention last week!”
Wow, what a performance Michelle Obama put on endorsing Kamala Harris at last week’s Democratic Convention. It’s well known that the former first lady never wants to run for president, but there are many who wish she would.
His oratory powers are astonishing. His star power is undeniable.
Her and her husband Barack’s support will be greatly appreciated by Harris in her battle against Donald Trump.
But when I heard Michelle refer to the Democratic candidate as “my girl,” a subtle diminutive, it sounded a little inappropriate. As if she were the one standing up and Kamala Harris was merely a subordinate.