chickens in the yard an introduction

The chicken in my garden see me as their personal slave. I feed them, water them, cl an them out, I built their house and now every time they see me they expect I will do something for them. On the plus side chickens have more character than I thought possible. Each one a individual with their own quirky personality. I have 4 chickens

Mischief. The top Hen and the head of the escape committee. She is constantly trying to get over the fence to eat the neighbors plants after she has eaten all of ours.

Mayhem  The best layer and the fastest greediest bird we have. Always scratching and foraging in search of a bugs and slugs.  She lays double yoker eggs at least once a week and her eggs are much bigger than the others

Speedy  a quick little chicken who never wants to go back in the coop. I great explorer who likes getting as high as she can but has no interest in escaping the garden. She has a almost comic like start when she is setting off where she stays still but runs on the spot. 

Baby. The biggest and youngest of the chickens. She spends time sussing things out and is by far the cleverest. Apart from the fact she thinks she is still the smallest so happily takes a lower place in the pecking order. I have a feeling this will change in the near future. 
So that's the girls over the next few weeks hopefully you will get to know them pretty well. The photo is Baby. any questions just ask.

Stay safe, speak soon,

Russ

Motorbike waiting time. Royal Enfield

So I have ordered a motorbike. I was told when I ordered it, it would take 4 weeks. That would have been last Thursday and I am still waiting. It feels like it will never arrive. It's worse this time as I don't currently have a bike so I am stuck in a cage when I'm driving about. I've ordered a Royal Enfield Meteor 350( Fireball).

At what point should I complain? I was told that 300 had arrived in the country and they were putting 10 out each day. By my maths if I ordered mine on the first day. Which I did not) then we would be at 220 built as of today. This is working on 10 a day 5 days a week. So I think I will leave it till Thursday then ask again. 

I have asked for updates twice and get little back. The first time I got a phone call that felt quite abrupt. The second time an email that when I read it I felt I had done something wrong in asking. I realise I can not interpret tone from an email. 

I need a bike as I won't be able to get to work without it from the 12th. I changed the colour I had ordered due to this. I was told the coulor I wanted might take 8 weeks!! 

I have had similar experiences buying cars but never when I have not already had a car. To I think that is why I am finding it so frustrating. 

Do Royal Enfield know how poor this service feels. Royal Enfield don't have there own stores in the UK (as far as I know) everything is imported by motoGB and they are the 3rd party dealers. If I am wrong on this please let me know. 

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

A bit of a dip

Hello. It has been a while since i blogged and thungs have been going well until recently. I have had a major dip in mood and my stress anxiety and depression are back with avengance.

I am struggling to focus and keep motivated. Luckily i noticed my symptoms sooner this time and managed to get to the doctors. After a quick referral to psychological i started treatment yesterday. I am in a dark place and feel lower than in years.

While i have been here before this time i also have the knowlege that i have climbed out of this hole before. I will keep you informed and let you know how i am getting on.

Remember its ok to talk you can get through and things can get better.

Stat safe, Speak soon

Russ

 I Just Don't Get It

I'm not sure what you guys think but this year more than any other i am struggling to get my head round XFactor and Strictly and the worrying thing is i don't think we are meant to. 

First off both shows are basically competing with each other. That pretty much a given. XFactor has long had the wild card Louie Act like Wagner or Jedward and to a certain extent he seems to be forgiven for that and it adds a element of fun. 

This years surviving novelty on the other hand Honey G seems not to realise that she is the Joke. I feel as though at some point she will realise that people have been voting in a ironic way in protest at the show. I might be wrong and maybe people think she is going to be the next break through urban artist. I have not found anyone as yet willing to back her in this way. It feels cruel. Its like inviting someone to a party just to slam the door in their face and i am uncomfortable that it might cause her some harm. On the other hand she could be fully aware of the situation. I have a sneaky suspicion that Honey G is a female version of Ali G and a character that has been created for the show. Whatever is happening there i just don't get it.

Then we have the pole opposite on Strictly with Ed "Glitter" Balls he knows he is no good and as such is putting in a ridiculous amount of effort. That Makes the whole thing kind of bearable. There is a question here though. are people voting because they see he is putting in the effort or is it another ironic vote. For me i think it started as the first and has become the latter but only time will tell. 

So as i look at answering my own question of which show is winning i think Strictly takes it but at the same time i cant help but watch the car crash that is Honey G and XFactor. The problem is i dont feel good about myself when i watch it. 

stay safe, speak soon

Russ

Don't forget to follow 

A little more reflecting

Hi how are you doing. I mean that comment and let me know its important to me

Well today i have finally got round to starting to sort the thousands of photos from the round Britain trip. Looking through them brings back some amazing memories. Like when we played pirates in scappa flow and the time we disowned big al for being a turn coat. All great memories. I wish by some amazing fluke i had got a photo of the lightening strike (apparently known as devils scorn but i cant find a reference t confirm it). There were sunsets and sun rises that are burned into my soul and will never leave me.  I have got some pretty cool photos and loads of great footage but its taking much longer to organise than i first thought it would.

As there is so much and i'm a nightmare on Facebook i thought i would set up a page with all my media type stuff could be posted. link is here

https://www.facebook.com/TheRussPollard/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

If you want to then please follow it.

I am a changed person and for me it feels like its for the better some of the people around me may not think so but i refuse to become what i was before this experience. I felt like a shadow and i struggled with lots of what life threw at me. This challenge has made things much more simple and things are less of a worry. When you feel well life can throw you curve balls but with your feet firmly on the ground you just hit them back.

well I'v droned on enough today

stay safe, Speak soon

Russ

Back to uni

I really need to be getting back to uni i am starting to fall apart due to lack of direction. If i could i would just be down in falmouth sailing but with a family its just not doable that makes me sad. Until freya runs in telling me about her day. Then i just feel guilty about having my own wants. I am going to take her on an adventure on saturday but cant decide where to go. Mountains are always good but i have a yearning for the seaside. I cant really decide what adventure i can have at the seaside with her.

Some of you know i have a real dislike of horror films and horror in general. I dont see why people enjoy it but ho hum live and let live. Why do i mention this you wonder to yourself. Well its easy really i watched "stranger things" over the last week and despite my dislike of horror i loved it i think mainly due to the geeky stephen king references and the lovely scene of the boys on the railway track like "stand by me"

It was good and is worth a watch. I have been playing with all my footage and photos from my sailing adventure and am close to a paper edit so i can get the whole thing done.

I did a quick edit that you can find on my page somewhere but its just quick cut to some music.

Well im off for now

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

Food addiction

I am addicted to food. It makes me feel better while i am eating then worse as i finish. Due to the fact i feel bad i eat which makes me feel better. Its a crappy addiction as you have to eat you cant go cold Turkey over the next 2 months i am going to document my eating and drinking habbits while writing about it in this blog. It is really so i just have a record of things but hopefully will help me control my addiction.

All over bar the shouting

After completing the challege of the last few months i feel i should reflect on what we achived.

We set out from falmouth and were face with a huge challenge right from the start when spirits engine gave way and saw us towed back to falmouth. After a strip down and semi perminant rebuild in falmouth spirit again made her way alomg the south coast of Britan to fail with a massive gear box failure.

After building relationships and being taken to heart the peope of the isle of wight will always hold a special place in our hearts. The mamouth leg round to newcastle was a thing of beauty the should have songs written about it that get sung in the halls of Valhalla. We crossed the pentland firth after great avice from locals that no chart or book could have given us. The Orkneys brought a glimps of how the world should be with community being at the heart of the islands. My faith in humanity was restored when the local fishing and diving community mobalised in the early hours of a sunday morning just incase we need help as sprits engine was again playing up. People stopped their lives in order to make sure we random weary strangers were safe.

We visited the westen isles and the hebrides and saw sunrises and sunsets on all coasts of the country. We ran fro. Storms and hid in an idelic loch where thousands of jelly fish sourronded the boat. We got caught in storms and struck by lightening. We saw dolphins and whales and killer octopus.

We visited random war graves and walked on beaches less trodden. We explored castles and woodland walked mountains and crossed streams. When the adventure was near someone went to find it. We spread the word about Turn 2 starboard and we made contacts and learnt tips and trick galour.

We did all this with a feeling of being part of something special. We did it with pride. We walked the walk and we talked the talk. We sailed for days stright to spend time in isolated locations. I have lived more in the last few months than at any time since i left the army. I owe thanks to the charity and bigger thanks to my amazing Michelle for giving me the chance to follow my dream.

At the start i was scared about how i would cope. About what would happen and about who i would be at the end of it. I was nervous about meeting people and not being liked. I was fearful of storms both physical and emotional.

I found new friends, a new family a new passion but more than that i found myself. I was there all the time just hiding in the corner of my eye. I have been happy , sad, board and exilirated. I have traveled a path that has led me to new place in my life. I'v become comfatable in my own skin.

Going back to the real world after this will not be easy. Thing will stay where you put them and the shop will be round the corner. I will have changed. I can already feel a need for adventure coursing through my veins.

Would i do anything differently? Well obviously there is one obvious thing that would need to happen next time. As we leave falmouth to travel around the country. Lets remember to turn to starboard and go the right way

Stay safe, Speak soon

Russ

Day 9

A spirit update - approching the Isle of Wight. Making good progress i think they will be caught up in a about 36 hours

Its been a bag of mixed fortunes since we slipped from Falmouth with some lovely sailing and some motoring through rough seas. There have been highs and lows in the weather and in mood. I have learnt so much on my way round and feel i am really getting the hang of sailing. I am understanding the complexities of setting sails for wind and helming under pressure. Tomorrow will tell as we will hopefully catch the wind and be well on the way to newcastle.

Day 8 go spirit go

Spirit update - fixed and on her way

Our update. We are going to shoot for ramsgate over the next few days while spirit catches up she is leaving with the tide today.

On Quivira we are a little gutted we wont be heading to the Azores. I think we were really talking Mike around to the idea.

Day 7

Spirit update - still poorly sick waiting for parts

Our update we have arrived in Brighton and are enjoying the weather. Its lovely and sunny we are in a georgous marina and i feel like as a crew we are really coming together. Yanto has decided to return to spirit as she will be setting off soon. I sort of want to go but really dont want to leave mike short handed if we press on.

There is a laundrey here so i can wash my pants and socks which is pretty handy as if it were any longer i am pretty sure the crew might keel haul me.

I am starting to feel like spirit might never set off.

Day 6 The Azores

Well lets say Spirit is not feeling great. She is a bit more poorly than we first thought. She need a bit of TLC and will be catching up soon.

The crew of Quivira have decided to sail to the Azores. Well all apart from Mike whos boat it is but its a work in progress. Maybe we can change course overnight without him noticing.

Its has been decided we will press on and spirit will catch us up in the next couple of days. I only have a couple of bits in my bag as i though it was only overnight but will be fine. I can always turn my pants inside out if it get that bad.

day 46

Day 46

Only dead fish go with the flow.

Bit of a heavy one to day with less octopi and dragons than normal.

It’s a very different experience having days off ashore and the general life aboard ship. That’s sort of obvious I know but its still worth some comment. We come ashore everyone has their own jobs. Yanto and Clive nip off early to get shopping in. Not because we are low on food but so Yanto can get out and explore the local area for a full recce report later in the day. Tamsin sets about project work making sure we have somewhere to go and arranging crew changes and spare parts (along with a million other tasks that I don’t even know about). Sort out the filming kit and set up the diary room. Dan tasks crew for any small jobs like putting up banners and such like. He is not having a great day today. He has pulled a muscle in his back and is trying to rest it. He struggles with that as he wants to be there doing everything.

I was left contemplating today the toll this must be taking on the 3 staff we have aboard. While it is a great experience for them their days are much longer than ours.  When we get to places they have stuff to do. When one of us is running navigation they have to keep an eye out to make sure it’s right.  They are running this part of what the charity is doing and at the same time planning and developing other projects. They are also away from their friends and family and like us Shaun and Dan have their own unique issues from service. We owe then a massive thanks to them and their families for sharing them with us this last couple of months.

Less of the serious stuff and onto court. This morning saw the 3^rd sitting of the Court of spirit. Any minor or even imaginary discretions can be passed to the captain where they will be tried in a court with prosecution and defence (I use the term defence lightly) at the end of the trial once your guilt has been proven punishments are dished out.  So far some examples of punishments are

The hand bag of shame: Yanto was accused of having poor admin and loosing things as such he has to wear a lovely gold handbag until we reach Liverpool.

The ships rat: Mo was accused of being involved in too many prosecutions and as such has too wear a stuffed rat for 48 hours. We are not to believe anything he says (unless it’s a point of safety)

There are plenty more but it would take too long.  Tonight we are having a family meal with the crews of the other 2 boats joining us which will be lovely. The plan was a BBQ but the weather has changed and its very windy and rainy. This will all be good for our journey to the isle of man tomorrow. It’s about 100 miles so will be a good passage back in watches. It should take about 20 hours I think. Then we will be in the Isle of Mann for a day or two before the hop to Liverpool.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

day 45

Day 45

The Brief Brief

Today one of the first thing I heard was Shaun(our skipper) tell Dan (the first mate) “can you just brief everyone that we are going to have a brief in 10 minutes. It was quite funny as we do seem to have lots of briefs on-board. It’s not a bad thing as we always talk through what we have done and learn from any mistakes. The most important brief of the day is also one of the highlights. After tea we have the skippers brief where everyone gets the chance to have a say about the day and discuss ongoing issues pass on messages. It’s a really nice end to the day after we have all sat down for spirit family dinner.

Today we have sailed down the Sound of Islay the island is renowned for its whiskey and we passed by a few distilleries on route. It is a beautiful and the remote locations gives it a gentle radiance that wraps you up and makes you feel warm and cosy. I think I could live here. It has been a really nice day. We spent the morning and early afternoon getting spirit looking her best. This is not a massive job anymore. The crew treat her well now and take great pride in making sure she looks good. Nobody ever walks past a job. We might not do it straight away as it could be part of a bigger plan. People do ask if it needs doing and then learn why not or crack on if it needs doing. She is our home and we love her.

We have been together as a fleet for the last 2 days which has been really nice Quivera took her turn at engine trouble today. As they thought they got it fixed they came on the radio to tell us. “the engine is runnin…….oh no its broke again”. They got if fixed a hour later. The skipper of Quivera Mike is an engineer and not really phased by any mechanical issues it took a while but he sorted it.

September shadowed Quivera in case they needed to return the favour of a tow that had been given in Tobermory. Tonight we are in port Ellen and are staying for the day. While on the radio today we were called on the radio by Pete and Nancy who are sailing up here at the moment. For them that don’t know Pete taught a few of the veterans how to sail and Nancy is an amazing chef who often supports the crew ass the spirit plods about on her adventures.

Today is day 45 in 17 days this will all be over. I am already feeling a bit sad about that. So far I am pretty sure I have changed and grown. I own that to Turn to starboard, the crew and this wonderful lump of wood that we call home. I think as we sail back into Falmouth it will be important I am not on the helm as if I am there is a really good chance I will hang a right, turn to starboard and go round again the other way. I doubt many of the crew would argue.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

day 44

Day 44

What A Day

Neptune was good to us today. We sailed from Oban to (according to the skipper) just over there. The wind was kind and after a faultless departure we got all the sails up with Chris running the deck. Spirit looked and sounded magnificent with the wind thudding through the sheets on the GIB allowing you to feel the force of the wind as Spirt harnessed the wind and pushed herself elegantly forward. We did not see the Giant killer octopus today but we think it’s out there somewhere just waiting to pounce. People have been on good form today with loads of laughter and plenty of fun. The crew are getting slicker than an oiled weasel down a greased drainpipe.  After the sails were put up people thinned out and talked with some napping on deck. I was having a lovely little nap right up till we got hit by a gopper and it washed over me. I was soaking wet and the rest of the deck was still bone dry and in the sun I got up and it looked like a crime scene silhouette where I had been lay. (It is ok to laugh, I did).

The new members of the crew have settled in and the fleet is still together. Spirit is sitting well at her anchor but from here quiveira and September look like they are rocking more than as and it does not look like great conditions for them. I think quiverias crew will be fine as they are all quite experienced sailors. September might not be fairing quite so well with some new sailors. They do have all on board though so at least moral will be high. Everyone is a bit sleepy today as last night we had a good catch up with the other crews and it was a late night. (No it was not alcohol fuelled it was just really nice to be together and people were talking late into the night) We are planning on a beach BBQ for all the crews which I am really looking forward to.

Thanks for engaging with the blog its really nice to read your comments and ideas.

We had homemade pizza and potato wedges for tea at about 9. The sun set is lovely and the waves are rocking spirit like a babies’ cradle which is making me want to go to sleep. We have no signal so you won’t get this for a few days.

Stay safe, Speak soon

Russ

Day 43

Day 43

Oban to Oban new crew

Well we have had less monster attacks overnight which meant we all got a good sleep. We are still a little worried the octopus will be back so we are keeping our eyes out for her.

Clive made us a wonderful breakfast which involved mackerel scrambled eggs and bacon. The Mackerel was caught last night by our own fair hands so your really don’t get much fresher than that.

The day brought new people which has been really nice. The new faces on board are just trying to find their place. 2 have come over from September and one has travelled up from Falmouth to join us all the way home. The crew welcomed them with open arms, part of that was due to the fact we had 70 meters of Anchor chain to pull up and many hands make light work. The hydrolics are due to be fixed in Liverpool so we are all making the most of the free fitness sessions in the morning. Anchor fitness. It might make a good business idea. Maybe we can make a fitness DVD for people to join in with.

“Anchorcise available Now. For just £9.99 you can have a body like mine.” (Well maybe a body like mine is not much of a selling point but you get the idea.)

We have moved from Oban Bay to Oban north pier and tonight we are moving back to Oban bay. This is not just for “Anchorcise” practice. We needed to fill our fuel and water up before we set off tomorrow.

We have a couple of short days followed by a couple of longer ones to get us to Liverpool in time for the tides. Moral is still high and life is still good (obviously, how could it not be. On a boat with amazing people)

I am going to get a bit personal now and talk about myself again. I seem to do it a lot lately but this one is very Turntosartboardy. Today has not been an easy day for me. There is not a reason for it. Sometimes like most people I just get low. Today was pretty bad and I let a couple of thing get to me which I shouldn’t. The Very special nature of the Spirit of Falmouth and the people on board make the worse days and the worst feeling melt away into nothing and life feels good. I am ending what started as a bad day on a high and I will take that as a massive win.

Day 42

Day 42

Busy Busy Jobs

To start with I would like to comment on the comments about day 41 pre blog about octopus and pirates. There seems to be doubt in some people’s minds as to whether or not this happened. Firstly, let me put things straight in your minds I did happen. We don’t have any proof as the octopus ate our cameras.

So Oban is a buzzing metropolis in comparison with the last few stops. It is a chance to get everything fixed up and resupplied ready for the next leg of the adventure. We have new people arriving tomorrow and crew swaps between the yachts and spirit. So it will be a bit of a swap round and a new settling in period as the crews bed in and get to know each other’s quirks. 

Tamsin has been her awesome self and arranged the Outboard to be fixed which means we will have out bow thruster……I mean tender back. Dan has been back and too in Septembers Tender which he can now steer without his hands. Not sure how he is doing it. Use your imagination to work that one out.

Yanto and a group of volunteers went to do the shopping for 16. This boat now has about an extra 2 tons of edible ballast. You can’t open a cupboard without a tin or packet of something attacking you like Kato Attacking Peter sellers in the Pink panther films. (I know it’s a olds reference but I like it) Me and Chris blasted the boat cleaning with more bleach and disinfectant than you could imagine making the whole down stairs smell nice for about 20 mins.

Not sure about tea tonight mince is great but it’s easy to just keep going back to the same old faithful spag bol and chilli (although we have not really had them) I’m thinking homemade burgers possibly. Any ideas for recipes are welcome. Everyone has been busy till 1500 and then gone to explore the new lands around us. It’s great to visit these lovely places many which I know I will never see again but will hole in my heart forever.

As the new crew come on board some people are apprehensive and some a little excited but while that is going on I am quite sad as big Al is off onto September for a while to build his miles and skills for his yacht master Qualification. It was always lucky to be on his watch as that’s when the Dolphins, whales, Seals and Mermaids. He will be back but I will still miss him while he is gone. He has been a key member of the crew.

Well its time I started making some tea for everyone. It’s a good thing. I love cooking and I feel useful while I’m doing it.

Stay safe, Speak soon

Russ

Day 41

Day 41

Sails Ho!!

Day 41 saw us depart from Tobermory and arrive in Oban. The events in-between involved a giant octopus having to be fought off by the crew and the emergency stitching together of underwear to make a sail. We fought off pirates and followed them back to their lair where we used our cunning tactics to steal their treasure. So a pretty quiet day really.

We left Tobermory with our hearts full of wonder as it seemed we might be in the right place with the right wind to get the sails up. We set off after a spot of tender relay. Out tender is a bit worse for wear but luckily a nice chap in Tobermory called Colin lent us his. After getting back everyone back on board and slipping lines we navigated a Cruise liner that seemed to have a unique style of anchorage and communication. I’m not saying it was wrong but it’s not like anything I’ve ever seen before.

We set out into the sound of Mull and the wind was with us we set about getting up a full sail set. Dan and Tamsin took the lead we had all the sails up in 28 Mins which is a record for us. (manly because it’s the first time we have had them all up) we were with the wind and sailing lots of other boats came to see us with September coming along side to take some pictures of us in all our glory. We did look pretty amazing and you could feel the power of the wind in the sails.

There was lots of learning done today by everyone. On helming under sail, on setting the sails, on navigation, and on life in general. We were a team that anyone would have been proud to be part of. (Team work does make the dream work). There was no slack today everyone was involved and the long sails with sleeping between watches has slipped into storage just in case we need it in the future.

On a personal note (which again I make no apology for even though it is a little self-indulgent).

I feel like I am part of something big, something special, something that will stay with me till the end of my days. While the crew are all very different with a wide range of backgrounds and needs there is something about this boat that builds moral and a sense of belonging. Dan, Shaun and Tamsin give us time and patience to ensure we go beyond knowing how to do something and onto why we do it.

Stay safe, Speak soon,

Russ

Day 40

Day 40

What’s the story in Tobermory?

I realise the title is somewhat of a clique but in all honesty I like it so make the heavy sigh and roll your eyes in my lack of creative flare and then get on with the task of reading the blog.

Well here we are in Tobermory on the isle of Mull in the western isle. “why are you still there?” passes through your head. Well keep reading and I will explain. Our passage yesterday was great fun even though people seem to have gotten themselves stuck in the watch pattern of longer passages and spent much of the passage in bed. We had Chicken curry for tea last night which was really good. Then we went ashore where I took the ships teddy bear Fraser to visit all the Balamory landmarks. This is for my daughter I sent her the photos and she was quite excited about it.

We then went for a social beer and after a pint a band came in and set up. It was a great folk band playing all the greats. The atmosphere was great as the crews of September and Spirit came back together. Stories were told and issues discussed and here we come to why we are still here. September is feeling poorly. The crew are working on her but until she is fixed we are stuck where we are. The boat has been dried out and a fix is underway. Spirit is waiting as if September cannot be fixed we can tow her to the mainland. Has anyone else noticed that every problem we have had as been on a weekend and on an island. It’s not ideal when you are trying to fix old boats. Except the Orkneys them guys have got this boat fixing down to a tee.

So we are still here. We have made good use of the time with lessons from Dan on marine navigation. I have sorted all my admin and baked some bread. I have spent the rest of the day sorting tea out just to keep busy. That’s the thing that gets you down when you are stuck. Trying to be useful and busy without getting in the way. It’s easy to go to bed but nobody wants to do that. Our collective attitude is to get stuck in and get things done. Below decks on spirt has never been so clean and tidy and she smells the same.

Well hopefully we will be on our way tomorrow and I will have exciting new stories to tell you.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

Day 39

Taller than we think?

“So quick question how tall is spirit?” “Lets see if she will fit under this bridge!” All conversations that were happening at the same time last night. We were not sure how tall she is so after some measuring we left the Figures in the semi-capable hands of Dan who after lots of planning came to the conclusion we might fit under the bridge. This effectively put nobodies mind at ease. He checked the maths several times to ensure that spirit would fit under using his best commando maths of one, some, and many being the preferred units of measurement.

We departed Broadford Bay and headed for Tobermory via the Skye Bridge. As we approached it looked low and spirit took a deep breath and stretched to her full height just to ensure nerves were on edge. We ensured we had plenty of cameras out to catch the bridge being hit but it never happened. With a sigh of relief Shaun told us he had never doubted Dans maths as he checked it himself!!

Todays passage is being run by Chris who is part of the Zero to hero scheme trying to achieve his Yacht master qualification which is the core aim of the charity to find. He upper the anti as skipper today by making bread and butter pudding. Now Carlsberg don’t do skippers but if they did they would all make Bread and butter pudding like Chris does. Some skippers on board really need to take a look at their priorities. The food on-board has never been bad but over recent days it has gone from preparing food out of necessity to what would make a great new TV show “The Hairy boaters.” (I stole the name from the crew of Quavira) The food is getting better and better which keeps moral high.

Tobermory is a pretty spectacular place only topped by the whole team being together again as we re-joined the Yachts who are also part of our fleet. We will be leaving in the morning for Oban where we will spend the weekend before we leave to start our slow passage to Liverpool for the 19^th.

Stay safe, Speak soon

Russ