‘I think the same as before,’ I reply. ‘I’m still concerned about time and money.’
‘Hmm,’ says Tom.
The subject of all this intense thinking is a rather forlorn yacht lying locally whose owner has run out of, er, time and money so has put her on the market for what’s really a very competitive price. After we sold the dreaded Pig Boat, there were a couple of years when we were both quite glad to be free of all the responsibilities (ie bills) that boat ownership brings, but it wasn’t very long before Tom starting poring over boat ads and shouting, ‘come and look at this one!’ at regular intervals.
Perhaps it was because I was fed up with looking at the rain and perhaps it’s because, in these PhD days, part of me’s nostalgic for the guy who liked to mess around in boats, but eventually I’m persuaded to view one of Tom’s discoveries. We clamber aboard and as I peer down the companionway at the clutter below, I feel… excited! For all her shabbiness, it’s only going to take some elbow grease for this Cinderella to go to the ball. She’s the kind of boat that would suit us admirably; perfect for the kind of pottering we now plan to do, a little bolt hole, somewhere to plan, to dream, to write or just watch the seascape around us. Except, of course, we agree after much discussion, that it’s probably not the best time for us to buy a boat, unless, of course, the owner is willing to take an offer…
‘We own a boat!’ says Tom, a little later. And so a new chapter begins!
The subject of all this intense thinking is a rather forlorn yacht lying locally whose owner has run out of, er, time and money so has put her on the market for what’s really a very competitive price. After we sold the dreaded Pig Boat, there were a couple of years when we were both quite glad to be free of all the responsibilities (ie bills) that boat ownership brings, but it wasn’t very long before Tom starting poring over boat ads and shouting, ‘come and look at this one!’ at regular intervals.
Perhaps it was because I was fed up with looking at the rain and perhaps it’s because, in these PhD days, part of me’s nostalgic for the guy who liked to mess around in boats, but eventually I’m persuaded to view one of Tom’s discoveries. We clamber aboard and as I peer down the companionway at the clutter below, I feel… excited! For all her shabbiness, it’s only going to take some elbow grease for this Cinderella to go to the ball. She’s the kind of boat that would suit us admirably; perfect for the kind of pottering we now plan to do, a little bolt hole, somewhere to plan, to dream, to write or just watch the seascape around us. Except, of course, we agree after much discussion, that it’s probably not the best time for us to buy a boat, unless, of course, the owner is willing to take an offer…
‘We own a boat!’ says Tom, a little later. And so a new chapter begins!
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| First meal in the cockpit! |
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| With guests, Rose and Si |
For the last two weeks, we’ve had the immense pleasure of having Lily and Bee staying here, plus Russ at weekends, whilst their bathroom is being replaced. Home Thoughts hasn’t appeared because it’s been such a unique and important time and I’m really going to miss Bee’s big, big smile first thing in the morning and seeing her arch her back and wave her little arms signalling she’d like to be picked up. We’ve introduced Bee to lots of sea air and, when Rose and Si joined us for the Bank Holiday we also took a few snaps of us girls together.
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| Taking the air at Aberaeron |
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| All the girls! |
Comments
She looks beautiful (that is ALL of the 'she's)and I hope you enjoy all of them for many years to come!
Can't get over of how charming and beautiful you all are.
Love,
Teresa
So true, Jane! It's a long, long time since I've been riding but there's no chance at all of me getting Tom near a horse. Many thanks!
Ooh, good thought, Teresa! Although, I think it may be a very long time before Bee goes for a sail! And you are very kind!! Cxx
I expect that Tom is going to have a fine time making this vessell what she's meant to be. And Chris, I am sure that you might already have a plot line taking shape, letting your imagination take the inspiration and twisty-turn it into a shape that will allow wonderful characters to take form...or should i have said shape? I'm imagining that you might have also considered this transfer of ownership from the viewpoint of the folks who must be glad, if a bit melancholic, that you all will be caring for what was their boat.
Before I go too far in this imagining, let me tell you how beautiful that group portrait is of lovely ladies.
xo
And thank you for your kind words! Cxx