We all love winning things. As you grow old you can feel proud of the 3rd place (of 3) in the egg and spoon race rosette you (well Iain) was awarded at the age of 8 and the surprise you get from the tombola at the local fair where you 'win' some local marrow liqueur or some other scary alcoholic homebrew beverage (and Fiona has nearly gone blind from the experience) can hardly be surpassed. Whatever it is we love winning things.
Amazingly this blog has won something, which when you consider one of the authors failed his English O'Level, is pretty remarkable. We've won the Liebster award by our Pacific bound friends on "
Journey" and the ever resourceful folks on "
Wandering Star". You guys are legends, thank you.
Basically the Liebster Award is about spreading the love of under read, over loved blogs, just like this one. You then answer some questions and finally nominate some fellow under read bloggers.
This is now the time for me to hand over to a very overloved, underrated and mischief making crew member of Ruffian, the one and only (Dirty Naughty) Larry the Llama. Fingers crossed he'll answer the questions without getting us arrested, impeached or chased by Interpol around the world.
Where are you and your boat right now?
Right now I'm sitting at the chart table trying to type. Typing for a Llama is really difficult as I've no opposing thumbs, no fingers and just clumsy hoofs. As for the Ruffian, well I'm not the owner, but if it were mine we'd be in Monaco with some beautiful bikini clad babes lusting after my Llamaness.
What do you like best about cruising?
When we go sailing everything always gets thrown around everywhere and this gives me great opportunity to hide away and then jump out and scare Fiona. You just never know when a Llama will strike.
Do you jump into the water head first or feet first?
Feet first, feet first. What is this, hoofism? I was Llama-napped from the heady heights of the Andes at a tender young age and by the time I'd been trafficked across the world all my Llama buddies had already been taught to swim. You can't buy adult sized Llama leg bands and so I don't swim. If I did however I'm sure I'd enter the water head first with the tiniest of splashes after pulling off a backwards triple spin swan dive.
What hobbies or pastimes do you have when not doing boat maintenance?
I've tried boat maintenance and it's massively overrated. I leave all that gubbins to Iain & Fiona. While they busy themselves daily with the task of keeping Ruffian going I simply kick back and read some of my 'specialist' literature' while of course working out how-to take over the world.
What is your favourite knot?
That very much depends who is tying it, what they are tying me to and what position I'm in! Mood lighting is also really important. Or have I really got the wrong end of the stick on this one?
What movie(s) or book(s) should every cruiser pirate watch or read?
I'm a big fan of The Muppets Movie (which I can really relate to), as poor Kermit is always trying to shake off the attentions of Miss Piggy. I'm also pushing Deep Water, hoping that Iain & Fiona will learn something from it as then they'll understand just how alone I feel sometimes. Ed:- Wow that's deep for a Llama.
Do you have tan lines?
Hey. I'm a Llama and am covered in fur. How am I supposed to get tan lines? What a ridiculous question.
What's surprised you most?
I'm surprised as to just how useless a Llama's are at sailing. We're great at spitting at people, walking up big mountains and my speciality is irritating Fiona, but ask me to keep a watch, steer a course, or set some sails and you'd have more chance getting me to curb my dirty naughty tendencies.
What's next?
The tunes are pumping on the beach, there are dancing girls dancing and so I've now just got to work out how to start the outboard and burn my way ashore. Then I can work my magic with the lovely fillies out there.
Now that Larry has returned from the bar we can nominate some other excellent bloggers for the next rendition of the Liebster award.
Zipporah:- You've never met anybody with such huge smiles, who overflow with an addictive enthusiasm and cruise to on a raceboat.
Saralane:- Great oratory, fab photo's and Skip (yep that's his real name) is a true seafaring legend.
Balvenie:- Been there, done it, got the t-shirt. These guys have been EVERYWHERE and are an inspiration.
Honey Ryder:- We're not in Kansas anymore Tonto, we're in the Caribbean. Living the dream of just chilling in the eastern Caribbean full time.
Peregrinus:- Never knowing who they are or how they got there, these guys always give an unusual insight into the travelling life.
And your questions my dear friends are;
. Who do you blog for, you or your audience?
. What's your worst 'heads' story?
. When you're offshore, no wind or too much wind?
. How many days is it acceptable to wear a t-shirt?
. What's your favourite tune and why?
. Olives. Which are best black or green, stuffed or plain?
. Are you a scruncher or a folder?
. Where do you want to be in 5 years time?
Woohoo. We LOVE winning things.
Larry lets the fame go to his head.
And blows it all away.