Rootsie is on the move

Hello everyone

It has been a while since I posted anything on this blog.

I have opened a new website and I am busy transferring all my posts to the new site.

Please have a look at it and if your receive notification of this blog then thank you for your patience and I will see you on the other side!!

www.rootsies.com

Jon

 

Countdown to operation!

It has only been two and a half years since my last post and, contrary to popular opinion, I haven't been hibernating - well not much.

Today it is looking like I will be going in for my heart operation on Thursday 1st October. Nothing too serious - but it does involve open heart surgery, so recovery time will be a bit longer than usual.

I was preparing for the op in February this year and then everything was put on hold as the World ground to halt. Finally things have got moving again and I have started preparing for surgery with lots of phone calls and a visit for tests to the Royal Papworth Hospital.

I am sorry that there will be little or no sailing talk in this part of the blog - except to say that Dylan now has a new boat and you can follow exploits on his site www.keepturningleft.co.uk and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtgAe4jKit0&feature=youtu.be

Patrick, suggested it may help my recovery to record my progress in a blog. He did the same following his hip operation - https://hipopman.wordpress.com/author/hipopman/ - and I plan to give it a go.

There is not much to tell yet but I will be back on here as I surface from the event.

Watch this space.

Getting ready for the put in

We spent a day getting the last few things ready on Harmony before Tuesday's put in. Then went for a lovely walk on the hill behind Largs, where there is a neolithic chambered tomb and then great views over Largs Bay.
Hilary has finished knitting her new hat, and took it out for an airing.

Following the blog

To those of you who like to follow the blog but get bored with checking back to see if I have added anything new, you can get an email notification when I add a post.
Just put in your email address in the box on the right of the blog page and then follow the instructions.
I thought we can try it and see what happens. Cheers Jon

2016 - a new adventure

Arrived on the boat yesterday, after the usual long drive up. Stopped off for a break at the NT gardens Acorn Bank - loads of fritillary in the orchard (they must practice rigorous rabbit control!)

Then on up to Largs through the rain. Harmony is stored right at the back of the yard adn looks quite smart as we drive up. I had been up a month earlier to antifoul the bottom and do some fettling.

Priming the antifoul

Looking a lot smarter

We sorted the boat and then battened down the hatches for gales and rain forecast for the night.
It was a rough night with the boat being rocked on the stand by the wind.
Rain this morning and then  breakfast round the new table. Hilary came up with the idea of an 18" diameter table in the cabin - great idea, it works really well

A day of fettling ahead in between the showers. The sun is shining and the oyster catchers a reeling about the yard shouting at each other.

Tuesday - Portavadie to Largs

Alice and I investigated the new Spa facilities at the marina - pretty amazing, have a look at their website here.

Found some great cards in the shop as well, including this one from Emma Ball

The day started with a good F4 steady breeze from the north west so we crossed Loch Fyne to the western shore close to this scallop dredger - a classic fishing boat shape.

Alice took the helm as we crossed then we ran down Loch Fyne to the Cock of Arran

Then headed east to the southern tip of the Isle of Bute, for a time escorted by a single porpoise which played around the boat, to Glencallum Bay where we anchored at the head of the bay and went for a swim.

As we left we had an argument with some rocks - my fault, I knew they were there, well not quite where they were. However we just touched the keels and then reversed off. No damage done but a salutary lesson not to get too cocky.

Great sail back to Largs and and a sunset to finish the day

All in all a great few days sailing, averaging 25 miles a day and a lot of it was sailing. We were blessed by the weather. Alice enjoyed her first 'big' boat sailing adventure and got in some wild swimming as well.
Alice headed off the next day and I spent a day doing inside jobs on the boat as the morning sun soon left us and the rain set in for the day.
I left the next day and had a long but easy drive home.
A great trip made better by a great boat to sail, thanks Dylan, and thank you Jane.
You can see Dylan's latest exploits here

Monday - Port Bannatyne to Portavadie

An amazing day weatherwise, lots of sun winds only F1or F2 or just calm.
Caught some mackerel as we started up the East Kyle and Alice learned to gut her first fish.

We anchored in Loch Riddon and ate the fish after Alice had another swim - avoiding the jelly fish, of which there are plenty.
The wind died away after lunch so we ended up motoring most of the way to Portavadie.
This place is as strange as ever, but I just had to show Alice. See their website here