There is a wonderful moment in Notting Hill when Rhys Ifans discovers Julia Roberts in the bath. First he makes a hasty exit, then goes back “just checking” and finally – wait for it – he clasps his hands and says: “Thank you God!” I said the same – although it was over the jib … Read more
This was written a few days ago… I don’t suppose it would suit everybody but for the first time, I feel I really can say I am Living the Dream. This is what it is like to do exactly as you please… Samsara is anchored off Stone Point in the Walton Backwaters – that maze … Read more
This was supposed to be a short stop. If you have been following events, you will know that Samsara and I arrived home in Woodbridge in mid-December. It was supposed to be just for Christmas and repairs to the damaged rail from getting clobbered by a motorboat in Brighton (not to mention my own foolishness … Read more
There is really no point in writing this blog if I’m not honest with you. In fact, if you look up the symptoms of ADD, you will find that compulsive honesty is one of them (even though it might not be the best policy sometimes). And there is something that I have to get off … Read more
How’s this for a creepy Halloween: I had just arrived in Studland Bay after a brisk sail from Weymouth. The sun had gone down and dusk closed in with the speed that always takes me by surprise at this time of year. Never mind, the anchor was set fast and I was standing in the companionway … Read more
A 38ft steel cutter with a purpose-built workshop and a watermaker – and a solid fuel stove… and some means of getting the dinghy out of the way… We’ve all got the ideal boat. I found mine while going to a family wedding in Australia. The owner had done much of the fit-out himself – … Read more
It’s more than three months since I first saw Samsara. I went up North Wales on the train and, after checking into the cheapest B&B (the whole place smelled of stale milk) I walked down to the marina for a preview. A preview is always a good idea. You don’t want the vendor to witness … Read more
If you buy an old boat, the chances are you are going to buy an old anchor. I happen to think it’s something to get excited about – the fact that my “new” boat, Samsara, is 44 years old. At that age, a boat is ageing gracefully and improving in those important ways that people … Read more
Well that’s settled then: The new propeller is going under water. I wanted to keep it on the saloon table as a conversation piece but Paul the engineer started talking about stepped key material and I lost my enthusiasm for argument. However, you must agree that the new prop is a thing of beauty: A … Read more
The final payment had just about cleared. There was not a mark on the gelcoat and the first barnacle had yet to think about testing the antifouling. With a certain ceremony, the new owner removed the colour-coordinated cover from the wheel, spun it experimentally – and then swore as it bounced back and attempted to snap … Read more
