It was love at first sight, albeit from a distance. Leaning over my terrasse on Wednesday and gazing out to sea, I saw three (and more) ships come sailing in.

Slow, magestic and as the song says, "as stately as a galleon", they sailed into port.

I had to see more, I was bewitched and collared Anna into meeting me at Quai D'Antoine 1er. As we strolled along in the sunshine, I was seduced. Yes, the Bleriot plane was amazing. Yes, the Indian motorcycle was really neat. Yes, the vintage cars were, well vintage cars. ( I am female after all)

I only had eyes for the tall ships. Okay, so glimpses of the crew in uniform was the icing on the cake, but it was the elegance of line and the intricacies of rigging that had me bewitched. I'm thinking Admiral of the Fleet, Horatio Hornblower and Patrick O'Brian tales of the high seas.

All my life, I've been in love with the sea, I was born by water and I am happiest living in view of the wide blue yonder. I'm not sure why as I am a martyr to mal de mer, all my family are. My mother had to make a hasty exit from the opening scenes of the film Titanic to go and be sick outside. My sister gets seasick walking along pebbly beaches. I've crewed on several yachts and been of little use as I spend most of the time hanging over the side talking to the deep.

However, my love of the sea never diminishes.

Of course, being a fickle female, next week I shall be trying to resist the charms of the superyachts at the Monaco Yacht Show. I have my deck shoes at the ready, copious amounts of travel sickness pills and notebook to hand. Anna and I are visiting as Press and are very much looking forward to reporting back to you on this prestigious event.

For now though, my heart belongs to a tall ship...

Which one are you on?