Friday 13 March 2009

It's a bit quiet round here...

Lest anyone think that I have shuffled off this mortal coil I am here to report that all is well, it's just too damn busy to be posting...

What has taken all my time is the following:



...I've had sailing as a hobby since the days of short school trousers and caps (and that dates me) - I think my first ever time on the water was an RYA sailing course when I was 15... after that however, I then spent an unfeasibly long time sailing and racing windsurfers before finally coming to my senses (bad back and advancing age) four or five years ago when I decided it was time to return to sailing in the sitting down position....

"Papillon" is my first ever boat, only 19 foot long though she does have a cabin. She came with an outboard to get me out of trouble, and all the necessary pieces of kit, and since the picture (which was taken the day I bought her) she has now been anti-fouled and cleaned inside and out within an inch of her life... Not being too cheesy about it all, she is a bit of a lifetime ambition - I've wanted a boat ever since I did that sailing course, but money, family, time, work and a host of other commitments and obstacles mean that it's only now that I can really devote the time and money... either way - now I have one, and I ain't half looking forward to the summer!

10 comments:

  1. Now I am jealous! On the basis of Saturday afternoons spent thirty years ago flooging up and down Theale gravel pits I consider myself something of an expert on sailing and world exploration.

    That really does look nice, role on summer.

    That reminds me of why I gave up Naval Wargaming, I couldn't stand to explain to one more person why their ships could go faster sideways on to the wind than behind. Bloody Vikings!

    John

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  2. Congratulations, Steve . . . please just remember not to abandon the little guys on the table top.


    -- Jeff

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  3. Well, shiver me timbers! I did navigate a friend's small yacht across Torbay a couple of years ago but the sea was dead flat thankfully - have fun...

    Ian

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  4. Superb boat very envious, beats the family rowing/motor boat we moor opposite the allotment on the Stour at Fordwich (Canterbury's Roman Port)we float down stream through Stodmarsh NNR birdwatching a pint of Sheps 'Spitfire'(or 2) at Grove ferry PH & return under power!

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  5. So... how about some updated pics?

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  6. I'm looking forward to seeing her with yellow and black chequers painted down each side, rows of ornate windows painted on her stern, and renamed "HMS Surprise" or similar!

    Roly (aka 'Arteis')

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  7. 'Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing!'

    Kenneth Graham 'The Wind in the Willows'

    Sums it up really. Have fun.

    Guy

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  8. Congratulations on achieving your dream. She's a fine looking boat. And cheers to Guy for a "Wind in the Willows" quote!

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  9. So why do all wargames immediately think "Pirates!!"?

    Have fun and repel all boarders.

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  10. Cheers guys - I'm absolutely exhausted - ever since I bought her I seem to have been at maximum speed in order to fit everything into the all too short weekends...! Launch date approaches though, and it promises to be a brilliant weekend - game with DG on Friday, Salute on Saturday, launch on Sunday...

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