Its getting nearer to launch date - met some people who want to come with me on a few legs and I've been asked by Hope House to do the trip for sponsorship - all getting very real and exciting. can't wait to get the sails up. Just the Antifouling and the fuel filters to do. Each leg will be described on this blog so I can let everyone know where I am up to. So if you want to support me donations direct to Hope House Children's Charity in Wales.

Its just approaching that time of year when I leave all the Chandler's leaflets and catalogs lying around as a not so subtle pre Christmas hint as to the materialist needs of a yachtsman!
Buffer is now tucked up for the winter and her list of outstanding jobs has reduced to a half page of bits - which can frankly wait for the slightly better weather of March.

Now is really the time for planning. I have ordered the charts and pilot books and look forward to coming up with a few options for:- A, getting near to distilleries; B, getting as near as I can to some of the Munroes; and C, working out public transport connections for family and crew on the non singlehanded legs. All that should keep be absorbed for a few winter nights ahead. I would recommend anyone looking for a cheap plotter to buy the SEACLEARII software and charts ( £27) to access all the charts for UK and Ireland for 1 year. An extra £30 purchases a Blue Tooth GPS which links to your laptop - hey presto a chart plotter for around £50 . Not bad eh!.

Watch this space as the time draws near for departure. If you fancy coming along and don't mind me practicing my guitar ( I am truly awful! ) on route then get in touch.
Merry Christmas.

next year

Well its been an easy year and I feel very retired - but not old. Buffer is looking well and, apart from replacing a few bits of running rigging, the boat is now ready for next year. The wind vane self steering works well and I've sorted out lights etc, etc. The plan is to lift out around the 29th of Sept and finish off a few bits then plan the route.
Hopefully I'll set off in April. The intention is to sail round the mainland UK on my own but to have open house on route at various stops for day sailing with guests and a bit of walking - using the boat as a base. We'll actually be following some of the track of Tenacity of Bolton ( see her blog) .
If you fancy calling on us then please do. I am sure I'll find a cabin space for old and new friends.

the first leg will be from Wales to Isle of man for a brief stop; Islay via Bangor Northern Ireland. I fancy a tour of a distillery before moving on to Oban and Fort William for a climb of the Ben -where I'll be for about a week. Its then onto Tobermory and a cruise round Mull to Staffa and back to Tob. After that up to Skye and a bit of walking. Things will be weather dependent from there - watch this space.

Things look a bit bleak for sailing as a job from now on so its down to pleasure sailing on our Westerly 33 Storm OD. Buffer. Due to a reduction in my ability to hear without hearing aids my commercial tickets are suspended. Thanks to all who have helped me out in the past. watch this space for Buffers round UK trip next year

Well the spring was pretty good so far - if not a bit windy. I now work occasionally for Sailing West in Ireland and for Bolton School on a sail Training Boat called Tenacity of Bolton. This boat is a bit special and a bit unusual as its a Ferro Cement Boat that looks so good it could be GRP. The boat is run by Patterdale hall Outdoor pursuits centre and you can follow its exploits - with pictures on the boat's own blog which covers each trip. There also an interesting video of how the boat was built.

In addition to work I now have my own project, a 33ft Westerly Storm OD that I am getting ready for a trip next year. I am rigging the boat for singlehanded sailing and hope to sail round the UK in 2012. I may then go down to the Med. the trip has to be balanced with work and home life so it may be done in legs, I may also take company along on a few stretches so if you are interested e-mail me.

Its cold, but I am sat in front of a roaring fire?! I am definitely missing the sun and the sea. Winter always has that effect on me so I compensate by trying to find something high to go sit on - like Snowdon! Unfortunately the weather ( and man flu) has been against me for a few weeks so even hill walking has been out of the question. Luckily we are off to Cuba in three weeks time so I'll be swimming , walking etc etc. in the sun. I may even hire a dinghy. ( Plus salsa on the beach, smoke a cigar, and drink a few Cuba Libres)

All this of course is just a temporary fix until next season, which I hope will start fairly early with a new job on a new boat. I am hoping to keep in touch with friends in Greece, and with the Sailing Training boat GMC but it will be nice to find something new to try- a fresh challenge to blow away the cobwebs and the winter. There is always something to look forward to - time for a whisky and another log on the fire, wheres that Yachting Monthly.