My yen to read more of E. Arnot Robertson’s work came about after reading the delightful Thames Portrait, about a trip down river from the source to the sea. It was written by Eileen and illustrated by her husband Henry E. Turner. Eileen had written many novels by this time. Her husband, Henry, was the…

During the Covid-19 crisis, there has been a persistent ‘bleating’ on the media by people who have not been able to see their elderly loved ones in care homes. This has been an experience many of us have had to put up with for a very long time. The furore is understandable to some extent,…

From Australia, yes. And too, from closer to home, less than 100 miles across the North Sea! An ‘old’ Leigh man contacted me recently from far off Australia. The chap, Derek Ellard now lives down under having settled in He was endeavouring to make contact with an old friend who had once owned the barge-yacht…

For many years May Flower’s cabin lamp has hung in the last two of my mother’s homes, decorously, but never lit. My sister found a new shade/reflector glass for it some years ago too… A couple of years ago, I asked my mother (after talking to my other three siblings) if she minded ‘me having’…

The Saturday Times, 8 May 2021, has a piece about licensing to drive a boat, by Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Correspondent. This is expanded to state ‘…anyone seeking an engine-driven boat of any size would need to present a license.’ What does this mean? The powers currently do not exist and would require legislation, and…

We’d enjoyed an overnight trip to the River Medway with a stopover in Queenborough. It was our first of the year and we enjoyed sublime weather for it. A few days later, we were out walking around our local woods partaking of ‘morning exercise’ when I casually said to Christobel, ‘You know the main cabin…

On cue, on Monday 29th March, we, in England, were released from hard lockdown to go afloat on a ‘cabined’ craft, maintaining household bubbles. The weather was predictably windy but glorious drying sunshine poured down too – so some varnish repairs were stuck into. Lots more to do – a late start too! The fore…

During the summer of 2019 whilst berthed in Titchmarsh Marina, I did what I have done for many years and walked the yard looking at the craft. Some newer craft have an appeal and some of the older boats certainly, but it is usually the ‘graveyard’ that interests me most! A ‘graveyard’ section can be…

There is an organisation driving the acceptance of harbours as heritage ‘hot spot’ worthy of protection and an enhanced ability to attract funds. The forefront of this is currently bedded in the Thames Estuary area. The initiative held a meeting recently and interested persons should contact Brian Corbett at briancorbett@aol.com for further information and or…

A reminder of better days to come… After I had my sail on New Year’s Day, equally enjoyed by the mate and ‘boy’ it became increasingly likely that England would go into a full lockdown. We did! I got myself organised and collected various ‘pieces of wood’ from my little sailing tender Twitch and also…

Last summer when we were sailing out of Crayford Creek, we had to gybe more than was normal due to the nature of the bends and wind direction. It was also a little breezy. The upshot was that when I stowed the main on our approach to a mooring at the Erith Yacht club, I…

An email fluttered ‘onto the door mat’ yesterday from a disgruntled purchaser of goods from Anglesey Welding & Marine Supplies. Still not happy with my unit. Probably the worst buying choice of my entire sailing life! See my blog after my own experience of company – never sorted! A tale of woe came from Dublin,…

The Covid-19 crisis has meant that a large number of craft have spent the best part of 18 months laid up since being lifted out at the end of the 2019 season. Looking back, I seem to remember that many yards, club and commercial, seemed to be pretty full even before the crisis, so the…

I have been overwhelmed by comments made by sailors and ‘landsmen’ alike regarding being named as one of twenty-five people named as having a positive effect on the sailing/cruising community. See: So, I thought I should share some. From one who was inspired… ‘Well done Nick and Christobel . Very well deserved.’ From a man…

I was contacted a little while ago by Yachting Monthly magazine deputy editor, Katy Stickland, regarding their intention to publish a list of sailors who in their opinion were worthy of inclusion in a hall of fame covering the first two decades of current millennia. All concerned were asked to be absolutely quiet about this…

So, as the new year was seen in, in England, like the rest of the United Kingdoms of GB & NI, we found ourselves in a National Lockdown. The Covid-19 epidemic had well and truly become a raging second wave. People dying had risen to over a one thousand per day and continued to rise.…

2020 has been a traumatic year for many. The Covid-19 pandemic which has swept around the world from its starting base in far off mid China at the end of 2019, has caused economic and personal devastation. In its wake, a huge number of people have been infected. Sadly, far too many have and continue…

For all boating people and ‘landlubbers’ alike, this past year will have been a testing time for most. The year started with a perpetual round of high winds especially during the weeks when the tides were during daylight hours. The result was, for me and Christobel, was that Whimbrel only had a modicum of use…

Back in September it was decided by me and my siblings that our dear mother had to go into a care home after a series of falls and a diagnosis of Covid Syndrome. This necessitated a home clearance job for us all, organised by our able sister who promptly disappeared off to the Ionian on…

A full National lock-down in England came into force for the second time during 2020 on 5th November. This was after various areas of the country went into varying levels of restrictions, but the science was warning of another peak, so, in we went… On the day before after a period of inclement weather, it…