Mr Blue is a fictional embodiment of Polo Blue: an ozonic, aromatic fougere from perfumers Carlos Benaim and Christophe Laudamiel. Quite possibly my favourite fresh fragrance.
The year is 2003. Location: Newport, Rhode Island. The sky is bright and blue, the weather sunny and crisp. William, a cheerful, well-to-do 30-something American, with a youthful outlook on life, is holidaying at his parents’ summerhouse with a group of close friends.
The time is 10am and Will and co will shortly be heading out to the waterfront for a spot of sailing, as they do most summers. He starts his day, as usual, with a cool cucumber face mask to hydrate his skin and power up his senses. The cucumber is cold and wet against his skin, having just come out of the freezer, and awakens him in seconds.
For breakfast, Will serves up sliced melon and freshly squeezed orange juice garnished with basil, which he shares with others at the table. They reflect on events from the night before, a few blurry eyed and swearing they’ll never drink again.
Talk then turns to the day ahead. They agree to a private sail of Newport Harbour and nearby Narragansett Bay – a charter they’ve done many times before and come to love. Will, the most experienced sailor of the group, will lead the trip as he always does: hands on the rudder, riding the waves.
The walk from his parents’ house to Sayers Wharf – their departure point – is a short one and takes them past popular attractions like Newport Tower and the Newport Art Museum. Will is fittingly dressed for the occasion in an open shirt, chinos and boat shoes, perfect for a gentle float along the water.
As they arrive at the harbour, they are greeted by the familiar smells of damp wood and mossy earth, intertwined with salty sea air. Their sailboat for the day is a beautifully restored wooden yacht with a colourful history dating back to ‘50s Hong Kong.
Within seconds, Will announces himself as captain and beckons everyone on-board, as if suddenly possessed by the spirit of the yacht. With the wind in his hair, the sun in his eyes and the undulating waves lapping beneath his feet, Will is put instantly at ease as he prepares for what is certain to be a fun day...
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