We may be tightening our belts and scared for the future but some still have a bob or two.
Maltese Falcon
Considered by many to be the finest sailing yacht ever built, a gargantuan 88 metres long, as tall as the tablet in the arm of the Statue of Liberty, and with revolutionary sails that “disappear” into self-standing carbon-fibre masts, which themselves rotate. Owned by Silicon Valley billionaire Tom Perkins, this 12-berth beauty is stocked with every luxury, gadget and sleek interior detail that $130 million can buy (including next year a submarine that looks like a shark). Booked for 2009; after that, about €350,000 for a week.
€350,000? For a week? A fortune to most but Pocket money to some.
It occurs to me that the ideal Prime Ministerial post-resignation break for the man who enabled that situation (should Gordo ever resign rather than have to be be forcibly dragged out of Downing St, gibbering like a baby) would be a week on this yacht.
Labour ministers always like indulging themselves like pampered billionaires and the price is all-in, so he could even take Mandelson along to talk over old times. Peter loves yachting.
They could cruise Indian Ocean. No need to submit a reciept for expenses either. We could call it a gift from a grateful nation.
