The seed

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In Portland on a crisp, cold winter day with Dan and Ant to get Rancote lifted out for a full pre-purchase survey. I’d spotted her online at the end of last year whilst looking around for boats, but didn’t really consider her a contender due to her age (1972). A few weeks later I was down in Weymouth looking at other boats, and the broker suggested that she was worth a look. Everyone says it, but I knew it was the boat for me immediately.

So, next thing was to talk to Dan and Ant – my prospective co-owners, and get a deposit put down. Dan and Ant were both keen, the offer was accepted so the next thing was to arrange a survey and sea trial.

We spent the day with the surveyor and owner, everything checked out OK, and we decided to go for it. And so begins a new era of adventure and travel. Bring it on!

9 Days, Skipper

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This shot was taken on board “Kipper” – John Corden’s Victoria 34. John runs a sailing school – Kipper Sailing – based on the south coast. I spent 9 days doing an intensive Day Skipper course; 4 days in the classroom then 5 days on the water. We all (7) stayed aboard during the days on the water – it was tight! John’s wife had made some incredible meals. Mmmm … hot bacon sandwiches with fresh bread after a brisk not-quite-yet-springtime sail into Chichester harbour, wonderful. Having an oven on board is well worth it.

Shredding the gnar

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OK, so this isn’t so pretty. But it tells a story. I crashed off my bike last week in the Alps and put a nasty gash in my arm. Went to the local emergency centre who wouldn’t let me in as I was so grubby! I managed to get a quick splash at the local fountain and tried again – they let me in this time and apologised when they saw the depth of the wound. They popped a few stitches in and sent me on my way. That was the end of my riding for the week though. Throughout the trip I was hitting things, crashing and generally not doing so well – I put it down to tiredness and the inability to think fast enough to steer and brake properly. I’d had a crazy few months up to this point at work and it showed.