Heads and (Hose-) Tails
My last post back in September dealt with mainly deck-oriented jobs, do-able in the warm(er) “summer” weather. As intimated in my introduction then, the last couple of months have seen me change jobs, again, in the continued search for a new niche where I can work comfortably and enjoyably for a few years. The second…
Cockpit, Pushpit, Galley hatch and some other bits.
Since my last update (which some of my regular readers may not have seen, due to Facebook being unhappy with something I wrote (not sure what), therefore refusing to allow me to share it on that platform – however if you want to read it first, please go ahead and click this: https://serchthrift.com/uncategorized/engine-box-steps-and-sole-bearers/), I have…
Engine box, steps and sole bearers
It has taken me a while to get accustomed to the new working regime since starting the job with Gordonstoun. I started on 18 March, towards the end of her winter refit period, and we (the permanently contracted crew) were living in the school and commuting daily to Inverness marina to work on Ocean Spirit.…
It’s been too long, but not without cause
I cannot believe, as I sit here writing this, that it is a full six months since my last post. In that time there has been loss, achievement, change, and most importantly some progress! In the latter part of 2023 I lost a much-loved aunt, an equally loved and respected godfather and, also to which…
On-deck works continue
I left you as I was just about to disappear for another fun week on board VIC 32. This was followed another week later by a short relief stint on board Tenacious. I had a lovely couple of weeks there, joining in Arendal in southern Norway, and ending in Blyth. The weather wasn’t amazing, but…
In the Doghouse
I’ve now been home almost a month since returning from the chilly wastes of Svalbard (where all the Polar Bears hid until they saw my plane leave, then started dancing on the ice for my shipmates) to the soggy wastes of Argyll, and since then have made some good progress in some interesting projects. First…
The Interior Fit-Out Commences
It has now been several weeks since I sat my Master Unlimited oral… and unfortunately failed. It has taken some time to reconcile myself with failure, as it is not something I am accustomed to, but shit happens, and I have the opportunity to resit whenever I can secure another slot for an exam (don’t…
Unexpectedly Long Leave = Lots of Progress
I last updated you in late July (or was it early August? A while ago, anyway), and had done lots of little bits, fitted the centreboard, painted the hull and made progress with the preps of the interior for the installation of the foam insulation. I was expecting my next leave period to be a…
Progress update – things I’ve done since May…
Yes, as is my wont, I’ve left it far too long again since I last updated this blog. Whilst I’m busy in Bristol refitting the Fridtjof Nansen, I’m only allowing myself short leave periods to do stuff at home, have holidays and progress with Serchthrift, so whilst there has been notable progress since May, it…
Bulkheads and cleating continue (and power tools conspire against me)…
Once again it has been a long time since my last update – what was going to be a 6-week trip on Pelican before returning to the UK and a possible job-change, turned into a marathon 3-months, with the final month spent preparing the new Seas Your Future vessel, the schooner Fridtjof Nansen, for her…
