Met with my pension man to discuss long term plans. It seems the plans may work and income will be a combination of rental and income. The possibility of having a draw-down pension whilst off sailing and then buying into an annuity seems attractive when the sailing eventually stops, or maybe that should be if. Lots of ifs, buts and many many scenarios however the scenario of having a big income at 65 but being too knackered to do anything with it is distinctly unattractive. Ho hum.
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The first time to Stone Point from Shotley was unfortunately a bit of a non-event for us as the winds and shelf ganged up on us and we couldn't get the hook down. the kids were getting bored so we headed back and planned and executed the naming ceremony with The Morgana's aboard. Suffice to say I had a bit of a headache on Sunday morning.
Out : 6.5
Back : 6.5
Total : 13.0
YTD : 229.4
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Well, the jobs are slowly being ticked off. Tanya is doing an absolutely sterling job with the varnishing. The name change didn't happen this weekend however WILL take place next weekend.
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Having spent Tuesday eve last week on board and pretty much all of Friday which then led into the weekend, all doing jbs on board, we were ready for a quick sail. Headed up the Stour for the first time and initial impressions of industrialness (what a word !) gace way to a truly tranquil and quite beautiful river. A gentle SE'ly gave us a very sedate and relaxing sail up past Wrabness which in itself seems to be a good reason to return, and then on until it was getting late, tide against us getting back etc. Motored back against the growing ind, it was truly freezing, but what a great river - its on the list for later this year already.
Out : 12.7
Back : 0
Total : 12.7
YTD : 216.4
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Today marked the day when all the authorities (Ofcom/MCA/SSR/EPIRBS/Insurance etc etc) were informed of the long awaited name change from Mr.Tinkles to Pipedream II. Our dinghy will bear the name Mr.Tinkles as a mark of respect !!. May 1st 2010 is the date when Pipedream II will be used "in public" for the first time after the "Ceremony" at Shotley.
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This was planned for a while but was one of those things you talk about well in advance then next thing, its next week. The plan was always to stop off in Queenborough perhaps visiting the museum at Chatham and this is exactly what we did. YOU MUST VISIT THE NAVAL DOCKYARDS, MUSEUM ETC AT CHATHAM. To stand in the very room where HMS Victory was drawn out full size fir the first time ........ We stayed at the Marina for one night then headed back toward Queenborough where we hung off a buoy the next evening, ready to catch the flood the next morning.
The trip up the Thames (past US Montgomery - eeeek !!!!!) was, I have to say, underwhelming. I dont know what I was expecting in reality - far more "broken" industry I think, and nowhere near as many Yuppie boxes as there are. Still, it really was quite something to go through the Thames Barrier (which confirmed our need to change the boat name), the Millenium Dome, and onwards to Tower Bridge. St Katharine's is a gem, despite the locking in procedure taking over an hour and having to lock in with another boat which, well, let's say, didn't somehow seem to kept under complete control. Still, being able to sit in the Dickens Inn overlooking your yacht with Tower Bridge in th e background is quite something, and be sure to pick up one of the leaflets the office hands out to the children - very informative I have to say and well worth the read. We did the touristy bits in London but skipped the bus tour (£26 per adult seems way over the mark, esp considering there are 2 and then 4 children). Still, a visit to Greenwich on the ferry was quite brilliant, the history incredibly humbling.
Neil and I revealed all in the lock on the way out of St.Kats re the Tower Bridge lift and I have to say, it was a fantastic thing to do. Visiting the Tower of London and Traitor's gate aged 11 is something I remember quite clearly. I never quite envisaged ever seeing it from this angle.
The trip downriver was quiet with little wind although we did manage a sail towards the end on the approach to the Medway. A lovely evening with the Morgana's, and a lazy mot/motorsail back to Shotley the next day rounded off a really great week.
Out : 111.7
Back : 88
Total : 199.7
YTD : 203.7
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After being on board all weekend with a jobs list as long as everyone else's (and a very pleasant eve with Morgana on board), it came to that time when we just had to go for a sail. Out of Shotley and with a 2nd reef in the main, off we went to play. And, we had a blast getting up to 8.3kts up the Orwell and having an ogle at the sheer size of the container ships tied up at Felixstowe. An hour and a half later and we were back in the marina, getting ready to go home. Very short, very sweet.
Out : 2
Back : 2
Total : 4
YTD : 4
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