Para mayo, guarda el sayo

For any of you who don't speak Spanish this translates as 'During May, keep your coat on'

So we've been in hibernation for some time now - we keep getting lulled into a false sense of security only to be reminded 'Ne'er cast a clout till May be out'. The summer clothes come out as does the paint then the rain starts and the wind picks up.

Scott hasn't been idle though - we now have a fitted kitchen (sorry galley), and we've found out what's behind the green door! Actually that last bit isn't strictly true - we already knew what was behind the door but couldn't open it, Scott opened the door and painted it green on the same day which of course brought to mind the song

Wish they'd let me in
So I could find out what's behind the green door......

We always said as far as possible this would be a green project - now here's the proof!
In case you're wondering the original ship's toilet is behind the left hand side green door, it's broken and we couldn't use it anyway cos it'd just cause a pile on the beach......
But it's now a handy welly storage room.

Scott has also done some work in the wheelhouse - he said he's fed up of putting flat surfaces in the boat because we just pile stuff up on them, so he's put a nice sloping surface where all the instruments of sailing will eventually go.











Saff has made her stage debut - and quite probably her only appearance on stage (she had butterflies the size of your average ostrich!) in a dance called The Rise of the Robots performed at Forum 28 - the local theatre.

That's all for now folks - but when the heatwave starts there'll be lots happening!

Go Go Gadget Show!

The Gadget Show featured The Hairy Bikers on Tuesday and guess what there we were in the background. We've e mailed them asking if they have any gadgets they want to put in a real life test situation so watch this space!

If you look closely you can see Scott (that black shape) standing by the wheelhouse door watching them, he did say a while ago he'd seen them filming and they kept coming back to that spot then riding off!

Wet & Wild

Sounds like a funfair ride (or something else - we'll leave that to your imagination)...... But believe us it's not fun! Today really seemed like a day for hibernating but Saff insisted she had to go to school because "It's Art Club" .

Summer seems to be officially over, all painting work has ground to a halt and we've sprung leaks all over (luckily enough they're in the roof not the Hull!) Scott's been promising me a shower on board for ages, now we've got about four!

Apparently it was a mullet Scott caught. Thanks to Ken "It's a mullet, you mullet" and Mark (who posted a comment on the blog) for this info. Also it was quite a big one - keep telling Scott he should join the fishing club!

Last Saturday was Gala Day at Saff's school, luckily it wasn't raining.

It was officially opened by Dave Myers (Hairy Biker), who Saff spent most of the day avoiding, telling everyone who would listen "I've been on his programme so I don't need to speak to him!" There was a decorate a welly competition which Saff won first prize in! (Pics to follow, too windy to bring it back from the car!)

Just discovered I can put video on here so for anyone who didn't see us on the Hairy Bakers............

Could do with you to film another show though chaps - we look better now....

Did you notice, through the wonders of television we were turned round in that clip, pity they didn't turn us round in the trailer - not our good side! Look closely - there we are in the background.......

There are plenty more fish in the sea!

Just as well really as not too convinced about the continued existence of the one Scott caught earlier!

Scott put his fishing rod out whilst the tide was in - he caught a crab which, when he tried to reel it in stuck two pincers up at him a jumped off back into the water. There was probably only about a foot of water left when Scott decided to pack his rod up and give it up for the day. He thought the rod was caught on some seaweed or something as he couldn't pull it, but no it was a fish!

It was a battle but finally the fishing trawler captain won and the fish was on board! Unfortunately, Freddie, slippery little thing that he was, landed on the deck. However once the obligatory photo shoot was over he was released back into the wild.

What a Difference a Year Makes!

Well it's been a year and here we are still by the Causeway near Roa Island - doesn't time fly when you're having fun!



A lot has happened in this past year, Scott, who could in the past brush up quite well when he thought about it, has been mistaken for a member of ZZ Top



I've gone from a size 22 (15 1/2 stone) to size 12 (around 11 stone) - diet sheet and exercise schedule now available for a small fee!



Saff has returned to school and although tired after a year out loves every minute.



We sadly lost our ferocious guard dog Myrna (no we weren't careless she passed away in her sleep), but Saff is planning to get a new dog and call it Scooby Do so that if it ever runs off she can walk round singing "Scooby Dooby Do, Where are you?"



Vita Nova, our new life, hasn't come along in quite the leaps and bounds Scott planned. Rain stopped play seems an appropriate comment. We're told this has been quite a good summer for the area - can't say we've noticed.



We've gained celebrity status. The Hairy Bikers (sorry Bakers) kept passing us in their recent series - apparently the one who lives locally (Dave Myers) is making a guest appearance at Saff's school's Gala Day so we should get to meet him! We've been on BBC radio Cumbria, thanks John! And had a feature written about us in the North West Evening Mail, thanks Claire.



As Scott was quoted in the Evening Mail Article:

"It's a big project but I just chisel away at it. It is like climbing a mountain - I take one step at a time, I know what the goal is at the end of it"

No Publicity is Bad Publicity?! - or is it?!

Met up today with Claire High from the North West Evening Mail apparently no publicity is bad publicity so we may as well have publicity!

Just got to mention Claire and the photographer (John?) were totally unprepared for their visit to us. Claire had suggested meeting on the boat but we arranged to meet at the cafe at Roa Island. Just aswell really - in the lovely shoes Claire was wearing she'd have stood no chance of climbing aboard Vita Nova! By the way we paid for coffee at the caff - do reporters not get expense accounts nowadays?

The Photographer met up with us at the cafe then went home to get his wellies - where did he think he was coming to take photos - they've looked at our website!

We've asked for a copy of the feature before it goes to print but apparently the Editor doesn't like this to happen. Excuse us but you're writing about our life we don't think it's unreasonable for us to proof read what's written!

Watch This Space!

Six Seconds of Fame - only Fourteen Minutes Fifty Four Seconds to go!

Our story is sparking interest and famous bikers and taxi drivers are beginning to spread the word, perhaps unintentionally in the case of the bikers.

The Hairy Bikers, one of whom lives at Roa Island have a new show starting at 8.30 on Monday, BBC2, the trailer for their programme is filmed at Roa Island with us in the background, our boat that is - not us standing there waving! (Pictures to follow)

On my journeys to and from work I encounter a variety of A1 (that's the company) taxi drivers.
There's Bill Clark on the Radio, whose show I have never managed to listen to but he plays me clips from it in his taxi and there's Bob, author of taxi tales, and there's the pink panther car driven by a lovely lady dressed head to toe in pink, with pink seat belt and steering wheel cover and pink panthers on the doors. She shares the cab with her brother and has to take all the pink out when he's driving it. She's about to make the local papers because someone has apparently complained about her taxi! You can read about her on Bob's taxi tales.