Biography. We are husband and wife (recently) Mick and Ann-Marie. We own a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 which is currently moored at Largs, on the west coast of Scotland. Mick has sailed for 30 years starting with dinghies and working his way through a series of boats and locations. [...] Ann-Marie has sailed for the 13 years we have been together. Pendle – Seawytch 19 Trailer Sailer - Trailed her all over the country, most notably the Lakes, Conwy and Whitby (up and down the big hill) Cariardus – Swift 23 Conwy Marina Windermere Marina Village, Bowness Change of Lifestyle = smaller house and bigger boat. Mick had acquired his D.O.T. Coastal Skipper and Ann-Marie had some catching up to do. She attained her Yachtmaster theory and Day Skipper Practical. A baptism of fire came with a trip to Holland from Whitby on ‘Flying Start’ with Dave and Tracy Morgan. Eclipse – Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 26 We had decided on a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 24, unfortunately the order was placed incorrectly, meaning it arrived with an outboard instead of an inboard engine. After much discussion and negotiations an agreement was met to provide us with a 2 year old Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 26 for a similar price. The 26 enabled us to properly weekend on board and we enjoyed many years on Windermere. Especially the Hole’ithWall on a Friday watching ‘Bloodshot Eyes’ – real therapy at the end of a busy week. Fleur - Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32 The 32 was acquired at a trip to the Southampton Boat show for sailing jackets! Fleur of Pendle - Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 The 35 was a spur of the moment buy after it was returned to the sales office only 1 year after it was purchased. A motor-boater had decided to become a sailor when the 10 mph speed limit was imposed on Windermere. (Something we strongly opposed, due to its’ effects on the town and its’ pubs, shops and restaurants). He had traded in his motorboat for the 35 and had every extra on the list added to it to make up the price for trade-in. Including in-mast furling and full ‘dial-up’ heating system. We were sold. We stayed on Windermere (1 hour from home) for another year with the 35 but after Ann-Marie’s Day-skipper we decided we needed some sea experience. After years of going around the lake this would be very different. After recently completing some work in the area we were drawn to Hartlepool Marina which was 2 to 2 and a half hours from home. Hartlepool We spent 3 very happy years at Hartlepool Marina. The ‘Smallies’, Lotus Garden (Best Chinese ever) and Popadoms (Indian) being favourites. Hartlepool itself is a very welcoming town. We especially enjoyed the Town Gallery in the central old restored church, whose exhibitions change on a regular basis. During our time in Hartlepool we went to Newcastle Royal Quays regularly, Whitby, Blyth and other-times just went for day sails locally. The Tall Ships came to Town at the end of our third year and the town really rose to the occasion with, amongst other things, some of the best Fireworks we have ever seen. After 3 years a change of scenery beckoned. Largs Feb 2011 – Fleur was moved by Browns Haulage to Largs Marina. Largs is 4 to 4 and a half hours from home so it was a much bigger decision. However, our whole sailing experience has improved since the move. We have always been to the boat as often as possible, most summer weekends, home commitments permitting. Since moving to Largs we have found a massive variety of places to visit and overnight. Troon, Portavadie, Tarbet, Dunoon, Port Bannatyne, Kyles of Bute, Loch Long, Rhu, Inverkip etc. More confidence comes with going to new places and mooring and staying and exploring. Nardini’s Art-Deco Fish and Chip restaurant in Largs and the new Scott’s Restaurant at Largs are firm favourites too.