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Beaulieu to Weymouth via Swanage
Reading time: Five miutes 16th June 2024 Beaulieu – and it certainly is a good place We decided to hide up the Beaulieu River for a few days while the strong westerly winds were blowing. It also happened to be The Round the Island Race at the weekend so we felt Cowes would be packed…
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Marinas and Harbours – Walton on the Naze to Portsmouth 2024
14th June 2024 Reading Time: 10 minutes As a reminder to myself, and maybe to help others cruising the South Coast of England, I thought I would review some of the marinas and harbours that we are stopping at. We are using a lot of marinas because we have a dog onboard and it simplifies…
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I actually prefer hanked-on headsails, am I completely bonkers?
28th March 2024 Reading time: 10 minutes No one seems to have hanked-on sails anymore. A casual glance around any marina will show a forest of furling gear. The majority must be right, mustn’t they? I’m not so sure. Credit where credit is due I do accept that when coastal sailing, the ability to roll…
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The Humble Tin Can
9th March 2024 Here is a little piece based on an article I wrote for the Arctic Club Spring Newsletter I was reading Fergus Fleming’s excellent book “Barrow’s Boys” and my ears pricked up when I learnt than the very first tin cans were made just a short stroll from where I live in Rotherhithe.…
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Steyning Stinger – Half Marathon – 2024
3rd March 2024 I hung my head in shame when I realised how slowly I had finished this half marathon. My slowest ever by a long chalk. It didn’t feel particularly slow, although I was pretty whacked out by the end. I had no injuries, I had a good nights sleep in the van, I…
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Deal Half Marathon 2024
As far as training goes, am fairly erratic on a day to day, or even a week to week basis, but on a yearly basis I am as regular as clockwork. “Consistency is Key!” is drummed into us by Ryan French who runs the excellent Military Outdoor Fitness group on Blackheath. Whether turning up for…
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South Dock Marina Boat Yard – Problem Solved?
8th February 2024 Reading time: 10 minutes (without clicking all the links!) I seem to have been documenting the boatyard saga for quite a few years now, so I thought I had better post an update. If you are unfamiliar with the history of the yard, then here are a few of my previous posts:…
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Ten of my favourite, but slightly obscure, painting products
Here are some of the products that I use every year to help maintain my varnished Vertue yacht. By the way, I have no commercial interest in any of these products, I just thought it may be a helpful list for other fellow boat owners.. Number One – Owatrol Oil This wonder product is sold…
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The Arctic Club
December 2023 I am very pleased to announce that I have been appointed President Elect of the Arctic Club. It is a huge honour to be able to represent the Club. I will be following in the talented footsteps of Olly Sanders who has just retired as President, and Kevin Mansell who is the current…
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Galley Box
16th November 2023 – Rotherhithe Reading Time: 6 Minutes Inspired by one of Roger Barnes’ wonderful cruising dinghy blogs, I decided that I too could do with a galley box, but for our camper van rather than our little dinghy. I could see a couple of advantages of having a dedicated galley box: Currently, the…