The adventures of the folkboat Shoestring

A new boom tent

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:21:00 +0000

Bit of a clumsy design sketch. (I should hide the fact I am a professional designer!), but after improvising a bit over the summer and as we've got a new sprayhood being made up I've just asked for a boom-tent to be made up for us that will fit around our lazy-jacks.

Blooming expensive this yachting lark!

This Thursday...

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:00:00 +0000

We start our move down to wales. Hopefully finishing on Sunday morning in time for a day sail. As we mentioned before we're moving to Pembrokeshire part-time, after simply deciding it is a wonderful place. (And we get more use out of Shoestring) The photo above is of the view from the livingroom window and below is looking up the garden at the Cow Shed. All getting very excited now!

Great new website

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:44:00 +0000

I can't remember where I found this site, but I've got hooked in a slightly geeky way to watching shipping traffic around the UK coast.

It is an online AIS repeater, showing the movements of ships carrying AIS transmitters.

In absence of the funds to buy an AIS radar for Shoestring just yet, I'll see how this works on the Milford Haven on my laptop as a yard-stick test.

Have a look at www.shipais.com

Grumpy skippers

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:47:00 +0000

I've finally got around to watching Three Men in Another Boat, starring Griff Rhys Jones, Dara O'Brian and Rory McGrath.

Its a great comedy-documentary about their adventure on Griff's classic yacht, Undina. as it sails from London to Cowes to join, Jospehine, Undina's sister ship.

As I watched Griff explaining nautical terms and sailing conventions to his inexperienced crew I saw many similarities in how I had been this summer with my 'new' crew.

'No, not like that', 'Yes I CAN see that big ship', 'Mind that BOUY!' and many other such essential Skipper shouting phrases that I realise Griff and I have in common.

Grumpy and stressed skippers aside, there was lots of lovely sailing sequences an amusing fly-by from the Dover Coastguard and a good look over what Griff's lovely yacht can do.

Undina is 'almost' lovely enough to turn my head from Shoestring, MW found it rather funny when Dara, comparing Undina to a newer Beneteau, said how cramped she was, if he'd only ever been on a wooden folkboat, Undia would have looked like a palace!

I have to agree with Griff's sentiment. 'Proper boats' are made from wood, the new ones with bathrooms, double cabins and kitchens are more like 'plastic shower cubicles with a pole attached'. -But still, all yachts are lovely!

You ca still catch Three Men in Another Boat on BBC iplayer for a few days.

Lack of news...

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:06:00 +0000

Mum in the forepeak, note the new Solva Pottery mugs. :0)

Since our last trip down to Shoestring, at the end of August, i've simply not had time to post any entries! Sorry!

We had a quick weekend away, with Mum and Shaun. Got in a good 1/2 day sail, and then explored more of Pembrokeshire. Shaun loved his surfing lesson with me on Broad Haven.

Still more leaks popping up in Shoestring's cabin roof... I may take drastic measures and epoxy everything!

Oddly, after our last post on feeling like 'Semi-Locals', and odder still since nearly a month has past from our last visit. Everything is going to change!

From the 1st October we're moving to Pembrokeshire! We're renting a wonderful converted barn in the Preseli mountains, only a half hour drive from Shoestring!

This also means that we'll be also living in London, as we both have work commitments, so our aim is to have a one week in London and one week in Pembrokeshire basis.

While in Wales, MW will be working on his handmade bicycle wheels -www.michael-ward.net and i'll be continuing to develop my design projects.

It also means we can fit more sailing in!

Semi-locals ?

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:23:00 +0000

I always felt pangs of dread as I left Pembrokeshire to return to London. That dread that it was back to day-to-day London life...

While away Ju90 commented that we were not 'tourists' but Semi-locals... now thats a nice idea, and quite true. We've been and will be down there so much that it makes sense for us to think of ourselves as semi-locals. After all, we have an address, a 'floating' cottage, friends and genuine love of the area.

Being a part-time local gives us a sense of belonging and not just visiting. In fact having Shoestring then becomes just like a second home, albeit a small wooden one that leaks in from the roof the rain. So no need to find excuses to go 'away for the weekend' it is simply 'working from home for the week'.

Not quite sure what this wittering on �is about either. But anyway it made me feel better. :0)

Historic logs

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:22:00 +0000

Thanks to Hannah Robinson and her mother Maggie for the kind extracts from the log-book of Mr H.J. Robinson -a former Shoestring co-owner with Dr Ellis.

Posted below are a couple of entries from the log-book, you may need to click on them to enlarge them to read.

May 15, 1983

Welsh Cakes!

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:02:00 +0000

On our second trip to Wales I found this delicacy in Morrisons of all places. Now I realise they are available all over wales by many large bakery brands.

I have to say the best ones we've found have always been fresh ones from smaller bakeries, in particular the bakery on the corner of 'Y Welsh' and 'Ropewalk' in Fishgaurd have the most�amazing�ones we've tasted.

Welshcakes are small round cakes a bit like scones and eaten with or without jam or butter, we prefer without.

We now find ourselves bringing back a few boxes of them each time we return from wales for friends and family.

I've included a quick�recipe�from the BBC website below incase anyone feels like having a go.

Ingredients
225g/8oz self-raising flour, sieved
110g/4oz (preferably Welsh) salted butter
1 egg
handful of sultanas
milk, if needed
85g/3oz caster sugar
extra butter, for greasing

Method
1. Rub the fat into the sieved flour to make breadcrumbs. Add the sugar, dried fruit and then the egg. Mix to combine, then form a ball of dough, using a splash of milk if needed.
2. Roll out the pastry until it is a 5mm/�in thick and cut into rounds with a 7.5-10cm/3-4in fluted cutter.
3. You now need a bakestone or a heavy iron griddle. Rub it with butter and wipe the excess away. Put it on to a direct heat and wait until it heats up, place the Welsh cakes on the griddle, turning once. They need about 2-3 minutes each side. Each side needs to be caramel brown before turning although some people I know like them almost burnt.
4. Remove from the pan and dust with caster sugar while still warm. Some people leave out the dried fruit, and split them when cool and sandwich them together with jam.

The last trip out: Over night at Lawrenny Yacht Station

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Shoestring moored up to her buoy for the night

We had our last night in Pembrokeshire, (due both to The Rum Situation and work demands). We left our moorings in Neyland at 11am just before the high-tide, and went out for a sail. Initially we were going to sail up to Angle Bay and then turn back up river to Lawrenny, but the wind and tide was against us, so we sailed as far as the entrance to the Pembroke River and castle pond, then turned to sail up river towards the Cleddau bridge.

After pottering around under sail, Michael had a go at the helm under sail, this time without hitting any buoys, King slept as usually. We realised how much the time flies while we're sailing as four o'clock came round we turned back with hardly any wind -we even tried motor-sailing to speed up things, and headed back from Picton Point towards Lawrenny.

Michael (and new hat) at the helm.
(Shoestring is in need of a new mainsheet traveler!)

The Lawrenny yacht station is a wonderful location, but popular, we managed to get a last minute visitors buoy by calling in advance. -�10 for buoy B28 on the edge of the Cleddau and the Cresswell river mouth, a beautiful spot as you can see but requiring a bit of a paddle to get to the Yacht Station's pontoon -King's first trip in the Sevylor Canoe! (link to the review), needless to say he was nervous but very trusting and eventually enjoyed it.

Thankfully our charts are a bit more up-to-date, but you get the idea.

Once ashore we realised that the wallet was still on the dashboard of the car at Neyland! A quick, but expensive (�60) return trip in a mini-cab solved this. We didn't go in but the Lawrenny Arms pub on the old quayside has been recommended to us many times.

Me(Tony) off out in the canoe.

We rowed back to Shoestring in the canoe, after having a bit of fun trying to get King into the canoe over the edge of the pontoon. -Thankfully he had his lifejacket on so he was easier to carry. -Or at least aim and throw as it must have looked like to the people watching with great humor in surrounding yachts.

After dinner on board we had an amazing sunset at Lawrenny, we sat on the fore-deck in our woolly jumpers with a scotch and coke (YES NO RUM) and watched the still water reflecting the light from around. Then complaining as a motorboat user, just after sunset decided to show off water-skiing skills with no navigation lights and making lots of noise and lots of wash. Thankfully this ended after twenty minutes or so.

Sunset at Lawrenny, looking up the Cleddau river.

We settled in for the night, noting that Shoestring didn't move that much more than she did in the Marina. I was in the double bunk up front and had to have the forward hatch open for a while longer to look at the amazing star-fields you get in the very low light pollution skies.

Shoestring's bow, with No.1 job awaiting a tie-down for the night.

Come morning all had changed. Rain, and I mean RAIN, was falling, Shoestring's cabin roof leaked again, this time in 1 new spot too! We had a quick breakfast of toasted muffins and jam then decided to return to Neyland under engine. -Wearing every waterproof garment we had.

King relaxing on his bunk (again)

Safely docked at Neyland about 2 hours later, we both wished we had spent the night out there before in our trip. We decided to leave Shoestring at Neyland during the wet stormy weather, and drive back to Lawrenny for lunch at the (award winning) Quayside Tea Rooms, where we had a very reasonably priced lunch that was one of the best we'd had on our trip.

One of our best shots from the evening. (Before the storm hit!)

We can't wait to take Shoestring back to Lawrenny. Perhaps next time exploring by Canoe further up to Cresswell Quay (the water is too shallow for Shoestring) where there is another great pub which has the best hog roast and BBQ in Pembrokeshire on a friday night apparently. We'll investigate and report back!

Link to Lawrenny Yacht Station

Made in Solva

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:22:00 +0000

I have to confess, for the last six months with Shoestring we've used Sainsburys Basics blue mugs... Shocking I know.�

We've been on the lookout for some nice handmade mugs for ages, we both love craftsmanship in all forms, as�reflected�in our day jobs, and of course, having a wooden yacht.

On a visit to Solva last week we found the perfect mugs to compliment Shoestring's craft. At �9 each they were not cheap, but these beautiful blue mugs were made by Bobbie Jacobs, whom we had a long conversation with on her work as she found us four of a similar size. -The mugs are thrown and spun instead of being cast. Her work is a wonderful reflection of the area with her bright blue hues and tones setting a theme in their work. You can visit the Solva Pottery page here.

Solva is a�wonderful�little town, accessible for 2 hours either side of high-tide, and it's quay drying completely. It has a great, dog friendly pub: The�Harbour�Inn, which serves great food, next door to another great caf� 'Number 35' where Michael enjoyed a locally caught crab salad. (Which was caught by the caf�'s own boat).

We had a browse through the "Window on Wales" store there, both purchasing a fine pair of Wellington Boots. Then went off to visit the local Woollen Mill.

About one mile away from the harbour is the Solva Woollen Mill, another traditional crafts-place. Their workshop forms part of their retail store where visitors can literally walk up to the looms and discuss their workings with the crafts-people there.

More than a tourist attraction the mill is a working company and offers a fine variety of rugs, blankets and throws. -Their 'Skomer' pattern is�particularly�nice!

Sadly, the Sock-Knitting-Machine pictured above was out of order. But made me want a Sock-Knitting-Machine of my own nonetheless.�
The Woollen Mill is currently raising funds to restore its water-mill workings, some of which can be seen turning both outside and inside in the tea room area.

We've still to explore the quayside and harbour area fully, but can definitely recommend the town to visitors by car or sea. -We've not tried yet but previous owners have managed to dry Shoestring out alongside the quay wall there.

Last night at Lawrenny

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:57:00 +0000

We spent last night moored up river at Lawrenny Yacht Station. Just a quick entry this one, until I get a chance to post fully.

The Rum situation

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:00:00 +0000

"Running out of Rum!"

Michael just commented on our rum supply status... This must mean its nearly time to go home... :0(

If you want to keep us here, please post bottles of Rum to:

Michael & Tony, Yacht Shoestring C/o Neyland Marina, Brunel Quay, Neyland, Pembrokeshire.

Well it's worth a try!

King and friends

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:00:00 +0000

As he seems to be the most popular crew member here's some shots of King's holiday with us in Pembrokeshire.

Broad Haven beach is still one his favorite places to look at things.

King's friend, Genie (Ju's dog) was slowly sinking into her bouyancy-aid to avoid helping with sailing.

King's favorite place while sailing in asleep on his bunk. -You may note he needs a whole bunk to himself! He does sometimes stick his head out of the companionway to check we're still there, or to complain when we change tack and heel over the other way.

PHOTOGRAPHS!

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:08:00 +0000

Thanks to a 97pence camera card to CD service I can upload few photographs for you all. Above is Shoestring in light winds near Lawrenny. (I've now fixed the slipping boom vang.)

Here's me at the helm, this is a bit past Castle Reach on the River Cleddau, No2 Jib raised on the bow, I'll be testing the Genoa tomorrow!

Here's Julie and myself at the helm under engines after a sudden summer storm blew us all over the place. Michael was in the cabin making tea, while Ju watched. -I think this is just past Picton Point on the Cleddau.

I'll upload a few more photographs over the next few days.

Ju90 on Shoestring

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:08:00 +0000

Last saturday we sailed out to Dale for lunch, anchoring up in great weather, we had two friends; Ju(aka ju90) and Julie with their pet Westie, Genie. I asked Ju to write a guest entry in Shoestring's log book, I've typed it up here for your reading.

Ju90 + Genie (Westie-terrier) + julie (with no cats).

Arrived 9.15. Boys arrived 9.45 -off buying more booze + a hat. Fortunately Ju had finally worked out how to get into marina loo.

Visitors denied coffee on grounds of tide + tardiness -Offered 12 diet cokes instead. Turned out the boys had not washed up, so no mugs available.

Michael looked great in the hat.

Set off to see industrial glories of West Wales from the water under motor. Tony worried about Irish Ferry, but in event had no problems spotting it. Genie eventually agreed to go into cabin, but displayed 'breed standard' of animosity eyes throughout voyage. King perfect gentleman + lived up to his breed standard by dozing all day, (mostly) trusting the boys to keep him safe.

By lunchtime in Dale, had all turned into Capn-Birdseye... a situation not improved by G+Ts/Rum and diet coke. Boys finally washed up b4 setting sail (yes really) for marina.

Perfect conditions ? wind+tide both heading straight for the marina -meant we sailed back at twice the speed of the outgoing trip, sails setting perfectly + boys beaming proudly. J+J competed with each other to photograph bouys + occasionally the boys. Genie looked to see if there was any place to hide before huddling into her bouyancy-aid + shutting her eyes until berthed, after which she cheered up slightly, helped by Michael feeding her posh dog biscuits.

Michael dropped his sunglasses into the marina as he tied up -as crew he inevitably works twice as hard as the helm -but otherwise it was the perfect day.

Ju90.02.08.08

You can visit Ju's website here.

I'll be posting my 'record' of our trip to dale, once I get back and get my camera lead! We're still at Shoestring, and the weather is still wet! She's currently covered in tarp thanks to a new leak in the roof!

The wrong lead!

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:05:00 +0000

I was just sitting down here, under our improvised boom canopy, (a tarp sheet with off cuts of rope), Rum and coke in hand, (Havana Club of course!), and thought, i'll put those great photos of us sailing, the sails up, the�beautiful�views of the upper reaches of the River Cleddau, of Shoestring heeling gracefully under canvas...

Got the laptop ready, got the camera out, then realised I had the wrong camera lead in my bag so can't connect the blasted thing!

I'll call into Mum tomorrow and ask her to post me a spare one... THEN i'll say how great our sailing went until we hit a sudden Force 7 with wind and hail! All fine, Julie and myself at the helm with sails down, motor on and a cup of tea in hand.

But i'll wait until I can download the photos!

Sailing!

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:12:00 +0000

Just to say hello from sunny-wet-sunny-WINDY-sunny-wet Pembrokeshire.

Now have wifi internet working aboard so will blog more later. �2 very successful day trips out sailing under our belt, and all�technical�problems fixed!

Photos on their way soon!

Drinks Cabinet: Havana Club Rum

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:46:00 +0000

My favorite! It's the best rum I've tested so far. I'd say Goslings and Appleton estate come in a close second, but each of those are "in the mood for..." drinks, where as Havana is simply an anytime rum. -Except while working or driving. Well maybe while working.

Havana Club is a brand of rum, made in Santa Cruz del Norte, Cuba. The brand was established by Jos� Arechabala in 1878. After the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the distillery and company was nationalized by the Cuban government.

Today it is still 50% owned by the Cuban government and exported by Pernod.

It's flavour is nothing like the chemical tones of a Captain Morgans. It's got a nice spice and caramel taste, which when mixed with coke does not over-power and retains it's nice light flavour.

This one I actually have two bottles of onboard, one in the drinks cabinet, and the other hiding in the bilge -for after any visitors have cleared us out. -Thats becoming a bit frequent actually, but it's always in good company so doesn't matter.

I'm going to have to try some other drinks over the next few weeks, maybe a Gin or Scotch. We're also real-ale fan's but fitting an ale-tank and tap on board maybe a bit too far... or is it?

-----
Bit more expensive this one, usually around �16.99 a bottle, available almost anywhere.

Tideway sailing

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:27:00 +0000

Last Sunday we met with Ju and Julie for an afternoon of dinghy sailing at Surrey Quays' Tideway Sail-ability center. Its a small and very welcoming sailing club with an emphasis on sailing with disabled people.

Out for fun on the dinghys was Shaun (helm), Michael (1st mate), Anne (new crew) and Myself (Skipper), together with Ju and Julie who are members of the club. King and Mum came along to watch. -King as always busied himself being a celebrity and demanding attention from everyone.

My experience in dinghy sailing was limited to my first sailing lessons in toppers, so 'down-sizing' looked like a fun option. Their boats are designed to be sailed with everything in reach and a joy-stick helm. -Being used to a Tiller it confused me completely.

After we had an initial talk through the sail controls and a quick sail-bending session, we were let loose. Within meters from leaving the pontoon we came from quite blustery to no wind at all. Sailing was reduced to snail pace. I did manage to heal once though, briefly.

Anne and I was challenged by Julie to a race around the buoys. After accepting, in very minimal wind, I waited a few minutes and then said "Let me know when you want to start". About ten minutes later we had drifted our first lap. Pleased to report we won, it was close and took a good half hour to get back to the pontoon, 50meters away.

After sailing we all headed off to a post-sail-pint at the Wibbly-Wobbly-Bar further down on Greenland Dock. -Great food, and even King was welcomed; he fell asleep in the middle of the floor.

Friday night, (tomorrow), we're off for two weeks at Shoestring to get some SAILING done on her, Ju and Julie are coming down for a week, so we'll show them some REAL sailing... hopefully, weather reports say 1mph winds! I'll try to post some articles on here later once we've got ourselves sorted at the Marina's wifi.

Finished! -well almost!

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:52:00 +0000

At last! We've finished the re-painting... all right there is some varnishing to do on the newly stripped hatches, some woodwork to do on the cockpit and of course we have one side deck that needs the caulking finishing.... but it's 99.9% done!

We went down Thursday night, after a long drive arriving at Neyland at 4am! King and MW unpacked while I made sure the yacht was warm and beds were made.

Friday we had a bit of a relax, going out to Solva for lunch in the car, then a run on Broad Haven beach for King. -We bought him a pet life jacket from Mrs Hayne's at the Brunnel Chandlery. Then relaxed for the night.

Saturday was up early to finish painting. Port, starboard and aft decks now done, cabin roof and fore-deck re-painted for a bit extra protection and the hatches in the front and rear decks were stripped then coated in dark silkens varnish. I've also installed two moisture traps to reduce condensation while we're away, i'll let you know how that goes.

We finished the work off on Sunday morning, before driving down to Dale for a pub lunch and local ale.

Sunday after noon also saw a welcome visitor saying hello from the Yacht Omega, also moored at Neyland, and readers of this blog. -Hello!

We've bought the materials to strip and re-varnish the cockpit at somepoint, but all that can wait until we've done some sailing! Two weeks time we're down for two weeks holiday!

I did bring a camera with me but of course forgot to take any photos of the finished look -i'll get these next time. - We now have wifi aboard from OceanWave.

Just as we were packing two disasters hit, King cut his leg -now healing well, and the bilge pump electrics decided to drop out. I think the second battery is either fused internally or VERY flat for some reason, so I'm chancing no pumps for two weeks until we get there to sort it out!

The greatest ship on the sea.

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:48:00 +0000

Shoestring at Anchor outside Dunmore East harbour from Dominic

Since starting this site I've had some lovely emails from previous owners of Shoestring. Dominic whom I purchased her from sent me some photos and instructions on various aspects, and now reads this blog to check on her progress.

I've also had emails from Dr Ellis, who co-ownder her in 1980s with Dr Robinson, who's wife and daughter have been kind enough to send me some photocopies of her old ships logs.

Recently I've had Colin and Martin Hunt email in with stories of their exploits sailing on Shoestring and how much they admired her and are glad to see her still going.

Fortunately everyone approves of the new colour scheme and restoration work. -Note to all, still have the traditional Shoestring leaks in cabin roof! (Right above my bunk!)

It's great to get emails in from people whom sailed on her or owned her. Its something you don't get with a new yacht. There must be hundreds of little ships like Shoestring with their own histories and stories. Its probably my imagination but being a wooden yacht, and a Folkboat for that matter does lend itself to the belief that she's more unique than other boats.

Thank you to everyone that emailed in with your photos and stories. Please do keep in touch and please email more photographs if you have some. -I'll have to organise a 'get-together' cruise.

Best, Tony.

Last weekend

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:07:00 +0000

After too many work commitments got in the way we missed entering the Seafair! -I'll wait till the 2010 one now.

MW was working so I took the 'relief' crew. Amy and Nick. I also took King along as first dog. He loved the yacht, water, swans and generally anything that moved!

We arrived Friday evening to a warm-ish night, Amy and I made a point of finishing off a bottle of Sailor Jerry's that was in the cabinet. I also hooked up the battery chargers to the mains with our new cables.

Amy spoiling King.

Saturday morning we woke to rain and mist. We drove off to Dale for breakfast and then took King to his first time at the beach. He loved it! Trying to run and kick around, eventually pulling me into the sea with him.

Nick inspecting the ship

Nick arrived later on Saturday with his friend, we had dinner in Milford Haven then bed. Sunday, great weather; a quick look around the seafair, taking King to Broad Haven beach again, then the drive home.

King taking me for a paddle at Broad Haven beach.

A nice weekend really! -Still need to finish the painting and re-fitting but never mind there's always another weekend!

King joins the crew!

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0000

Meet King, the newest and friendliest member of Shoestring's crew!

King is a retired racing Greyhound from the Romford Trust for Retired Greyhounds, a division of the National Retired Greyhound Trust. He was well looked after and raced under the name of Bowmers King from 2001 until October 2007. He'll be visiting the yacht soon with his bed in tow to place between the cabin bunks on the floor, and during day time sailing he'll be keeping lookout in the cockpit. (Or sleeping on a bunk.)

The short video above is of a race at Walthamstow dog-track, King, (then Bowmers King) finished 4th in the race, and he is the one wearing a red coat with a number 1 on it. Despite coming fifth here, he won many races in first and second place in his long racing career. After spending more time racing than most other dogs this in no way affects his performance as a domestic pet, except he just wants to play and sleep all day! . Greyhounds make wonderful pets and apart from two to three long walks they mostly sleep all day.

If you are looking for a new dog at anytime, a greyhound may well be worth considering. There are many excellent books available together with a wealth of information on the internet.

Pirates and cakes: last weekend in Wales

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:30:00 +0000

There be Pirates here!

We (Mum, Shaun. their pet dog, Coco and Myself) got down to Neyland last Friday morning at 4am, Shaun had not slept the whole way so was tired and grumpy. Nonetheless we decided to take Shoestring out on the morning high-tide.

Coco liked relaxing in the cockpit.

We untied and left her moorings very easily, edging out of the marina slowly, rounding the sharp bend at the entrance. Around this time the speed Log decided to give up and continually display 0Knots for the remainder of the trip... something else to fix...

We took her up river to Lawrenny under engine and a stuck mainsail -the batons got jammed in the lazy jack lines and refused to budge so we carried on. It was Shaun's first trip out on the yacht and at only five years old he took it very well getting quite excited and wanting to help with everything. Coco tied on her lead down below slept most of the time.

Shaun at the helm

Shaun proved to be a natural at steering and helm control as we passed quietly up river. We turned around and came back in after an hour so as not to get caught out by the tidal sill.

Docking was more fun, this time whacking the bow on the side of the pontoon, but no damage done.

This was before Shaun fell in after getting out the Canoe.

The rest of Friday was spent at the marina, where we had Lunch at the Brunel Caf� and took Shaun out for a paddle in the canoe tender, with other yacht owners asking where we got it and how we found it. We also drove out to Dale for lunch at a cafe there over looking the bay.

Paddling in the new Hudson canoe 'tender'

Saturday was spent driving in the car exploring Pembrokeshire a little, with nice warm weather on our side we went to Fishguard, a lovely little town where I picked up a 'Welsh Wool Jumper' and bought Shaun a model sailing yacht. Mum found a bakery where they had just made a fresh batch of welsh cakes, -they are much better when warm and fresh!

Fishguard lower harbour

We decided to explore nearby Solva, another little harbour, and former finishing village, now a bit of a tourist trap, but still a charming colourful village with brightly coloured buildings. One of the most senic places I've been I think.

Solva at low-tide.

Driving back to Shoestring, we also discovered Newgale Beach, a wonderful long expanse of sand with amazing views of Skomer and Ramsey islands.

Sunday and Monday the weather turned nasty, with wind, rain and cold hitting in from the North East.

We left for the LONG drive home, as always I don't like leaving Shoestring, and can't wait to get back, both to finish the refurbishment works on the deck, and to also get her out for a sail!!!

Drinks Cabinet: Appleton estate rum V/X

noreply@blogger.com (TM) — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:17:00 +0000

Back to the Rum again... The bottle makes this one appealing from the start. I tried this with diet coke an hour ago, and I'm on the third glass already! It's great, very different from my other favorite, Havana Club, this has a more sugary taste.

It also seems a little stronger than other rums, but not as a distraction from the flavour. Much more deeply spiced than others we have tested but without the chemical taste that effects some of the other supermarket rums such as Captain Morgans. It actually makes me want to buy another bottle of Goslings rum as a comparison. -Thats a good excuse. Plus, I am testing this one at home, and as everyone knows all rums taste better sitting under the stars in the cockpit of a yacht at anchor, so i'll have to test them all over again...

I'll stop now or be accused of running a 'Folkboats and Rum' website again, which is probably true. So I'll leave the last words to Sainsburys who have a nice little editorial about Appleton Estate on their website:

Appleton Estate has been producing Jamaican rum since 1749. Located in the Nassau Valley, the estate sits in the valley?s fertile fields in the parish of St. Elizabeth, where the valley gets afternoon rain together with warm sunshine, providing the optimum conditions for growing sugar cane.

Sugar cane?s thought to have originated in Papau New Guinea, and Christopher Columbus introduced it to the West Indies in 1493. Sugar cane?s a member of the ?grass? family and each variety results in a different rum flavour. The cane grown at the Appleton Estate tends to produce rums that have fruity and buttery notes.

Rum making on the Appleton Estate
Appleton Estate takes a handcrafted approach and uses many controls at every step of rum making, from the selection of the sugar cane, the yeast used in fermentation, its unique distillation methods, through to the ageing, hand-blending and bottling of their rum. Each step is carefully monitored to ensure consistency and quality throughout.

Fermenting
The molasses extracted from the cane are fermented for 36 hours by adding water and yeast. Appleton?s uses spring water from the estate that has been naturally filtered by limestone formations.

The fermented liquid is then distilled to strip the alcohol from the water. This stage uses either a pot still or a continuous still to heat the liquid and draw off the vapour that is then condensed back to a liquid. This resultant liquid is referred to as ?water white? because of its crystal clear colour.

Ageing
The rum is then aged in large wooden barrels, almost always oak, and often once-used bourbon barrels. As the rum ages in wood, the sharp flavour begins to mellow as the air permeates the oak, the space it leaves behind through evaporation is known as ?the angels? share?. The rum takes on colour from the barrel and this is where the flavour develops.

The art of blending
The final step in the rum-making process is the blending. This is a real art where the blender selects rums that will be used in a particular blend based on the type and style of rum that it contains, and these are blended together. A sugar cane crop, like grapes, can vary from year to year depending on the weather, so to ensure the quality and consistency of a blend, the Master Blender and her team blend all Appleton Estate rum according to a secret formula.

Full version here
www.appletonrum.com
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Around �14.99 per bottle.