Our boat! We were maybe 30 back in the queue so were assured a table on the top deck. The queue was orderly but, from an English perspective, somewhat worrying. Probably 25 people queued directly behind the boat in front of us and then the queue turned left up a sloping gangway. We were right on the corner where the queue turned. At the top of the gangway it the snaked back on itself on the other side of the gangway and eventually reached the point opposite the boat before heading off in the other direction.
I'm not sure how well I'm describing it but exactly where we were on the corner there was scope for unscupulous que'ers to try to nip over the gangway and push in, and we were on the frontline of this potential assault! It would have led to a free for all as everyone further up the gangway would feel aggrieved etc and we, who had planned and arrived nice and early, might miss out on our prized table!
It was not just us concerned. Those around us in the queue had muttered conversations to the same effect. I clocked the most likely pushers-in as a group of mixed English and Aussies, quite glamorous, wealthy and a tad entitled looking. Especially a blonde lady in a bright red dress.
Sure enough, the minute the queue started moving the red dress lady said to her pals "let's just go straight over"!! Cheeky mare. I was ready though - firm hand outstretched (as if to a naughty dog) and a repeated and firm "No!". She was totally taken aback but sat on her haunches obediently so I patted her head and gave her a treat...(that last bit might not be true).
It was effective though and with no further incident we were on and snagged the second last railside table!!
Several people came over and congratulated me on my prompt action and me and red dress lady chatted quite happily later (think she was tipsy by then!).
A tiny tale from our big night out...
1 comment:
Good for you! Pah to would be queue jumpers.
Px
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