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The total eclipse in Milneland – a blessing or a curse?
25th January 2026 12:30 Reading Time: Four Minutes For those of you who aren’t familiar with the East Coast of Greenland you might be wondering where on earth is Milneland? Milneland is the third biggest island in Greenland and it is situated in the middle of Scoresby Sund which happens to be the largest fjord…
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The Origin of the Jolly Roger, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and the word “Barbeque”
Sunday 18th January 12:30 Reading Time: Three Minutes I live in Rotherhithe on the borders of Deptford. The place oozes in maritime history. Hidden away between the Thames Path and the main road to Greenwich lies St Nicolas Church. The unusual carvings on the entrance posts to the church are what is believed to be…
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I’ve had a very nasty thought
Sunday 11th January 2026 Reading Time: 5 Minutes I’m not liking this thought that is rising inside my head. I need someone to bash some sense into me. This is what is happening. I have been thinking about setting up my satellite phone ready for my expedition to Greenland. To make it work as a…
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Scoresby Sund 2026
2nd January 2026 Reading Time: 6 minutes Most of my sailing voyages are just for fun and perhaps a lust for a little bit of adventure. Some sections of my trips haven’t ended up being fun, but they have certainly always been an adventure. This year will be my forth, and indeed my last, attempt…
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My Boating Philosophy Summed up in a Little Toothbrush Story
21st December 2025 Reading Time: 3 Minutes Nerdiness Quotient: 2/10 My new toothbrush has arrived. I think it is a Suri 2, well that’s what I ordered. I try to look after my teeth having neglected them for too long. I even get them professionally cleaned twice a year at great expense. My dentist recommended…
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My Keyway Conundrum: 316 SS, Brass, or Bronze for Propeller Shafts?
10th December 2025 Reading time: 4 minutes Nerdiness Quotient – 8.5/10 With Christmas fast approaching, one might assume my thoughts would be dominated by mince pies, port and stilton but instead, I’m deep into a rather puzzling piece of marine engineering: the humble propeller keyway. I’ve just bought a shiny new 316 Stainless Steel (SS)…
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…and may I have a look in your bag Sir?
17th November 2025 Reading time: 10 Minutes I like making lists. If I can’t be bothered to do something at least I can make a list of all the things that I can’t be bothered to do. And there’s nothing more annoying than doing a job and discovering that it never even hit the job…
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A Walk from Sittingbourne to Coyner Creek – Saxon Shore Way
9th November 2025 Reading Time: 5 minutes I messed this walk up! By sheer fluke I put “Central Park – Sittingbourne” into the Google Maps machine and we set off from London in the camper van. When we arrived in Sittingbourne for some reason we decided it would be nice to have a stroll down…
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Marlow Half Marathon 2025
2nd November 2025 C’est toujours la meme histoire. Every year since 2012 I have entered the Marlow Half Marathon. It is held near to Guy Fawkes Day and this year the rain stopped and the sun shone the whole way. The race is through gently undulating hills on tarmacked countryside lanes overhung with autumnal leaves…
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Gearbox Problem – Twin Disc TMC40P
23rd August 2025 Reading Time: Five Minutes The first thing I would like to say is that this engine has been wonderful since its installation about five years ago. The extra 4 hp above my previous 12hp Kubota has made a great difference to the ability of the yacht to punch into sea when needed.…