June 23, 2007
The rain stayed away...but to be honest, getting to bed at midnight and being woken at 0350, did not really give the weather much chance to rain!!
I staggered around the boat for a while trying to wake up, then we set off to the start line. First job was to winch Fred up the mast....winching at 0430 is not pleasant...especially as Fred can climb faster than i can winch!!
The camera did not make it out until 0518. During the day, i took 300 pictures - none of which were really that good!
This is the type of boat i am on - a First 31.7, but ours is blue!
Our start was 0600 - some people started at 0500!!! 1753 boats were entered - never have i seen so many boats.
- the crew: John, Mick, Neale and Fred - Janet is down below - keeping us fed and watered!!
First view of the Needle:
There was some sunshine:
Around the Needles at about 0800, it was a good beat all the way - we beared away and set the kite for a LONG run to the other end of the island.
Boats everywhere - from one end of the island to the other - very impressive, but impossible to capture on an old compact digital camera!
Rolling video with discussion over the depth of the water at the needles
Round the eastern tip of the island and back to the start/finish. The weather was dry...but rain was looming. It was only a matter of time before it hit. A beat to the finish - in which time is lashed with rain, blew 20knots, dropped to 5knots and we were buzzed by the red arrows twice.
- they are the grey streak!!
We finished at 1452 - 8h 52 minutes later. Results - 7th in class, 168th out of 1753!!.
The ride home was wet (apparently) - i slept downstairs.
- a proud Fred and his yacht - Silver Gul.
More not very good pics here.
June 22, 2007
Another rock and roll day at work....then, 1600 arrived and it was out the door to start the weekend's events: Getting to southampton, sailing around the isle of wight then home.
First stop was Tescos for supplies - i was at the check out and the black guy behind me said - 'This is the black check out' - a black lady serving, a black lady in front of me and two black guys behind me. He then set about trying to fix me up with the lady serving. She was finishing at 10pm - the guy was trying to convince her to leave her man and said that i would pick her up later. She turned me down.
My lift to Southampton was stuck in traffic.....we finally made it to the boat by about 2130:
Then straight to the bar to recover by equilibrium with a few beers. Back at the boat to sleep - Neale and i were assigned the triangular double bed at the front (also known as the fore cabin). We quickly established that the beers earlier had both given us stinky arses....at this point i elected to sleep outside - it would be safer!
Sleep came quickly....would the rain also?
Wanted - Tennant
Available to rent from about August 2007:
Semi detached house Stanway - 3 bedrooms, garage, secure garden, ample parking, new bathroom, close to good schools, shops and road network. Rent is £850PCM.
Contact me
Property Magnate
I normally have some kind of project on the go….usually on a whim. For example:
"Think I will buy a house this week" - 1 week later I made an offer on a place.
"That car is cheap" - 2 days later I was the owner of a 1998 MR2 (2 months later, I was the owner of a bent 1998 MR2!!)
"We could do that [Long Way Round]" - 16 months later - RTW
Various other whims - Hitchhiking to Ireland, driving to Andorra, buying a RS800, children (Shome mishtake, shurely? Ed)
So, with the credit card stoozing going well (£20k+ pot), the whim for this period was to become a property magnate. After a lot of talking and not a lot of action, I mentioned to my neighbours if their house sale was going well?
"No, the buyer dropped out yesterday"
"Ahh….I'll buy it"
This is my 'sold' sign:
I am buying next door - they are emigrating to Australia and i am planning to 'buy to let'.
Currently scaring myself at the cost of buying a house: £900 for a mortgage, £1700 stamp, £1000 searches and fees!!
Webdrive
A great feature!! Easy and quick to download and install (maybe 1 minute) - then drag, drop and put the kettle on!! All files and pictures 'backed up' and safe away from my delicate laptop!! You can download it here.
Sea, Sun, Sailing and Sick
June 9 was an early start at Levington for the first sail on Neale's new 'yacht'. The forecast was for rain.....in the end it was blistering sunshine all day!!
It was a family affair....Grandad Mick, Father Neale, Aunty Theresa and Uncle Mark (from Little Adam's point of view,my nephew).
A good start, then the wind died and Mick spent a lot of time flapping the sail....that seemed to work because we popped out at the front when the wind filled in!!
white lightning!!
Adam had hit the beers a bit heavy on friday night....and was feeding the fish!
We then made him winch!! 
The longest race i have ever had at Harwich.....we made it back to the marina at 1900!!!!!!!!! It was still blazing sunshine!!
I then filled myself with beer....and found myself hugging the toilet the next morning. I blame it on a bit of sunstroke!!
Apologies for not making it on the sunday.....
More pics here - password is katy's brother.
Comedy
A piece of motorcycle comedy - here - particularly like the source of the 'argument juice'!!
Thank you to Andy for the link.
Pigeon
Arrived home to find a visitor in my front room.
The 'ready to wooooo women fire' was disturbed. I guess she had fallen down the chimney. I finally grabbed her and put her outside.
Results
I know i said i would never mention the side car weekend again.....but a small update.
We came second!! Hopefully the prize is in the post!!
