Roland is back. That is to say, Roland, his live-in partner, his mistress, his children, and his children’s children have decided that our home is a very desirable place to live (plenty of food and water, good schools, liberal policy towards down-trodden and much-maligned creatures, immediate accommodation with H&C etc). They have, therefore, moved in. Continue reading “Blog 143. Does Your House Have a Number?”
Tag Archives: NOSS MARINA
Blog 138. Finished With Main Engines
Frankly, I blame the manufacturer of the claret-coloured corduroy trousers. I had bought the rather daring aforementioned items in the Spring because I thought it was time to be a little more adventurous in my sartorial habits, and claret seemed a sophisticated colour. But I had hardly worn the trousers before what is laughably calledContinue reading “Blog 138. Finished With Main Engines”
Blog 135. Take the Plunge, Spare the Thrunge
I first became aware of a major crisis developing in the kitchen when I saw Jane scuttling past the drawing room carrying a sink plunger. It was 2130 and supper had completed long ago; indeed, it was at that time in the day when I normally sat in the armchair, burping quietly as my digestiveContinue reading “Blog 135. Take the Plunge, Spare the Thrunge”
Blog 134. Entente Cordiale
I sometimes wonder why the French seem to hate the English so much (I use the nationality advisedly because, for a fair old time, the French were very chummy with the Scots). It is a rivalry that has been going on, pretty-much, since 1066 when the Normans invaded England and imposed their will on theContinue reading “Blog 134. Entente Cordiale”
Blog 132. Divorce
Well, that’s it: we have decided to part. Frankly, it still breaks my heart when I think about it: life on my own after all these years, but what choice do I have? I know I have been painting a picture of domestic bliss in all these blogs, but you may have sensed aContinue reading “Blog 132. Divorce”
Blog 128. Call me Sir
Mount Crushmore is back. Regular readers will recognise that this soubriquet was first attributed to the enormous pile of rubble left over from the demolition of the old Philips shipyard buildings at Noss Marina in Kingswear, where my boat is moored. Despite the pile being subjected, for over a year, to the attentions of anContinue reading “Blog 128. Call me Sir”
Blog 127. After You With Those Crayons
So that was summer. It was 5C outside our house last night and the central heating is back on for the winter. For Jane, out go the skirts, shorts, sandals and sun tops; in come the trousers, socks, jumpers and (soon, I dare say) vests. We calculate that we, the Shacklepins, had only about thirtyContinue reading “Blog 127. After You With Those Crayons”
Blog 117. At Bertram’s Hotel
In Agatha Christie’s At Bertram’s Hotel, the author describes a hotel that is still run as good hotels were years ago: plenty of smart, polite and attentive staff; roaring fires; comfortable rooms and armchairs; excellent food; an absolute delight to visit. Our experience with staying at the Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth, Devonshire last monthContinue reading “Blog 117. At Bertram’s Hotel”
Blog 87. “Oh, to be in England now that April’s there…”
There cannot be many people who get up at 0500 just to visit a boat, but – heh – we have had no real excitement for five months, so this was a special occasion. In its magnanimity, HM Government has permitted us to leave our local area as part of its relaxation of Covid regulations;Continue reading “Blog 87. “Oh, to be in England now that April’s there…””
"A Very Vintage Chap..." 