In case you were wondering where I was, I can confirm that I've not passed from this mortal coil, but the family and I have only just got back from Scotland - apologies for the lack of posts in the interim but as you can imagine, the days were full, and (seemed to) mostly consist of eating and drinking, and since then, the days have been packed to the gunnels with "stuff" that really needed to be done..
...and so, with 125 miles under her belt (in my ownership), no collisions, no injuries, no (major) breakages, a store of new found knowledge, and I guess the more important lesson understood that I have a whole shed-load still to learn, "Papillon" came out of the water for the winter yesterday... I'd say that it was a brilliant season on the water, and I enjoyed every minute of it... to be honest the boat has paid for itself in terms of enjoyment in one season!
..my brother in law and I had a fun time trying to get her on to the trailer (she came off it so easily... had I but known it would have been so difficult in the opposite direction I might have left here on it!
) Suffice to say that it may be November, but Steve the Wargamer had to go swimming... and that water is quite cold...
...funniest sight of the day was bro-in-laws boots beginning to float towards the horizon... upright... with socks still in them..... you had to be there!
Either way - here she is - all tucked up, and chocked up, safe and sound... now the work starts to get her ready for the next season a mere five months away... I'll post on the progress every now and again....
...and that's it for now
...and so, with 125 miles under her belt (in my ownership), no collisions, no injuries, no (major) breakages, a store of new found knowledge, and I guess the more important lesson understood that I have a whole shed-load still to learn, "Papillon" came out of the water for the winter yesterday... I'd say that it was a brilliant season on the water, and I enjoyed every minute of it... to be honest the boat has paid for itself in terms of enjoyment in one season!
..my brother in law and I had a fun time trying to get her on to the trailer (she came off it so easily... had I but known it would have been so difficult in the opposite direction I might have left here on it!
) Suffice to say that it may be November, but Steve the Wargamer had to go swimming... and that water is quite cold......funniest sight of the day was bro-in-laws boots beginning to float towards the horizon... upright... with socks still in them..... you had to be there!
Either way - here she is - all tucked up, and chocked up, safe and sound... now the work starts to get her ready for the next season a mere five months away... I'll post on the progress every now and again....
...and that's it for now
Glad you enjoyed your Scottish trip.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about historical fiction right now - I have the same problem with naval fiction in that appears to be a rash of new authors writing about the same ten years of the Napoleonic naval wars.
Noticable too that both of you are reviewing Roman novels at the same time. Is it just a coincidence or is the UK market flooded with these books?
ReplyDelete...flooded may be a good analogy... it may be of course that there aren't that many but once you notice you start to see them everywhere. I think not though as apart from this series, the Scarrow books, the Forgotten legion series, a whole raft of Manfredi books, there does seem to be a lot about.... Grimsby is right about Napoleonic naval fiction as well... I blame the publishing houses, no imagination, every one of them is looking for the next Bernard Cornwell/Patrick O'Brien but they don't look outside of a very narrow remit...
ReplyDeleteIt is the time of year to put the feet up, and enjoy an autumn reflection on the season just passed. A good book and a pint of slightly strong beer cannot help.
ReplyDeleteLife seems to be good to you at the moment long may it continiue.
Aberdour - hmmm, just along the road from Burntisland where my wife is from.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the break.
Will
As if there could ever be another O'Brian!
ReplyDelete=)
This might interest you
ReplyDeletehttp://www.firstshowing.net/2009/11/03/michael-fassbender-talks-about-neil-marshalls-centurion/
I always find putting the boat up for winter a bit melancholy - at least you'll have more time for modeling!
ReplyDeleteAll - I recommend a visit to that web link Moif left - looks like we may be in for a treat in the coming months...
ReplyDeleteMiles - you're right - but the weather is already turning wet/cold/windy so she's safer where she is... and in addition I need the forestay looking at anyway - looks like it has some wear/breakage...
In terms of Roman Naval Warfare, I suggest that you take a look at the ships on the following website:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.romanseas.com/
His rules are new . . . so I don't know anything about them . . . but the ships are way cool and they don't cost much, I'm constantly tempted by them.
-- Jeff
Steve,
ReplyDeleteCould you please email me your Colonial rules too?
My email is . . . bluebear@uniserve.com
-- Jeff