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…

The first of two barge yachts I saw during my travels this year were upon the water, another was spied recently during the autumn whilst walking. The first discussed, pictured below, came through Queenborough towards the end of August. I couldn’t focus in on her name, but a sailing friend has said he believes her…

Our connection with the Blue Mermaid and the Sea-change Sailing Trust began many years ago now. I had just had my book ‘May Flower A Barging Childhood‘ published (2007) and in chapter one, I had written of my thoughts about barge reconstructions and the building a ‘replica’ in steel. Uncannily, during 2008/9 I learnt of…

Now, if you weren’t aware, at the top of the Harty Ferry hard on the Oare shore, there is a natural spring well. This has issued forth for well over one hundred years, but, sadly, it ceased running towards the end of 2018. Many thought that was that… I can remember going ashore here to…

I don’t usually count over the autumn season until September has passed by for so often the weather can continue to be ‘sublime’, however this year, the sparsity of rain enjoyed during the whole year changed and we have had some heavy deluges in natures attempt to even things out… We have also had to…

Some years ago whilst we were stopping at Maylandsea (Blackwater Marina), we met a couple who were aboard a catamaran. They hailed from The Gibraltar Point Sailing Yacht Club, south of Skegness. ‘Tucked just inside Gibraltar Point…’ the chap said, grinning. The club is at the southern foot of the febrile Lincolnshire coast in a…

Yes, we did, but first… Having had an enforced stay in the depths of lovely Wiltshire on ‘mother watch’ while kid sister was away swanning around the Ionian Sea, sailing, it was good to get back to the marshlands of the Thames estuary. While I was in Wiltshire, I ‘retrieved’ May Flower’s cabin lamp from…

Some weeks ago, I received an email from a lady, Glenna White, asking me if I would like a little pamphlet, Whitewall Barge Yachts, which she had come across in a second hand book shop. Glenna wasn’t asking for any payment, she just wanted it to go to good home and having found ‘me’ on…

Christobel and I were beginning to descend the Caen Locks, a famous flight in the inland waterways world, when I spotted something seemingly out of place. To sketch out why we were so far from the sea – we were in Devizes on ‘mother watch’ whilst my sister was in Greece for a spot of…

It began probably around fifteen years ago when I was writing about the saltings around Saltpan Reach, Stangate Creek and Sharfleet: Burntwick Island was my target. The book was: Rochester to Richmond, A Thames Estuary sailor’s View. See: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rochester-Richmond-Thames-Estuary-Sailors/dp/1781556202/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&hvadid=80814204471414&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=nick+ardley&qid=1599421560&s=books&sr=1-2&tag=mh0a9-21 Burntwick Island has long been of interest: my father always used to say the buildings left…

Our summer has been punctuated by latent strife, bubbling on beneath what has generally been a tranquil, warm and pleasant summer. It boiled over one day sailing into Stangate. But, that’s enough of that… As the Covid-19 phase three lock-down release approached, I reran Whimbrel’s halyards with new ones prepared during the late winter and…

Hauling out the chain from the locker when anchoring some while back during the period we were being allowed to go sailing for exercise, under the Covid-19 restrictions, I realised that my ‘rustier’ length of anchor chain had rusted much further since last used! The chain was purchased without really looking into where chains were…

This last week has been a wonderful week to be able to get afloat: the sun has blazed down, largely being too hot and sticky, but it has driven my good ship-mate down to our creek, reading and relaxing, whilst I’ve done a few small jobs. And, more importantly, to wanting to be afloat in…

A stalwart of the Finesse Group has had to place his near completed refurbed boat on the market. See: https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat.phtml?id=639051 Sadly, the reason being is due to a move to another country for work. The boat was purchased by the current owner some years ago from a yard round the Swale in Kent. Following various…