Stormsail

Man, what a weekend spent with the family! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my cousin Tony who I think has the resemblance of Tony Soprano (thank god I’m related!). Mum, Dad and I made our way up via central london to Romford, Essex where we were gonna have a PU in a pub somewhere. This seemed like a simple plan but got slightly amusing at the travel lodge where someone had screwed up the reservations. Looked like I was gonna sleep on the street! Anyhow had a quick beer with my Aunty and Uncle before getting a taxi to the pub where my Cousin and his new wife Sarah were partying it up. Several shocking moments later as I recognised who everyone was the beer started to flow. However I think Mum had one too many early and was taken home by Dad! lol Still I managed to continue drinking with my Aunt and Uncle….let’s hope I made sence at the time hey!

Anyhow I continued without the parents and hung with my Cousin meeting his mates. Eventually the evening came to a head and we ended up walking back to Tony and Sarah’s house for more beers. Tony and I stayed up until 5am talking about the good old days of Nan and Grandad.

Four hours of kip later and a half eaten sausage sandwich later, Mum, Dad, Dawn and Ron turned up at Tony’s as they were going to take a trip down memory lane. We eventually all met down another pub for lunch where the two pints started the hangover delay! Mum also had a hangover but that’s hardly surprising is it! A brilliant day seeing everyone, I’m hopeing not to leave it too long next time.

Man what a hangover in the evening!….. doh

Ah, it was good to go down the boat of Friday evening to get things sorted for a weekend of sailing. I needed to get Shearwater out as she hasn’t moved much this year. Anyhow, managed to sort everything out and the batteries had charged well. A good sleep later I found myself awake and ready to tackle the day ahead. Got everything aboard ship shape before Gary, Ruth and little Erin turned up. Gave my usual briefing and we slipped the birth and headed out in the marina channel where we had to wait for a slot to go through the lock (it was supposed to be free flow but something was afoot). After witnessing a very large catamaran smash a hole in it’s hull going through the lock we made our way through the harbor and out into the Solent.
Several hours later we finally made it to Cowes and rafted in one of the many marina’s there. We managed to find a pub still doing food and sat down for a couple of beers and some nosh. However due to all of us being knackered from the days sailing ( Erin fell asleep in the pub! ) we made our way back to the boat for some sleep. The next day we left and made our way back to Chichester and even managed to get the Spinnaker up! Yay. Once back I really started to glow due to being sat in the sun for a while……doh. A clean up operation later we all left and made our way home.

Man, I’m gonna miss that boat when she’s sold. Oh hum, I’ll have to wait a couple of years before getting a motor boat…..at least I’ve got something to look forward to.

Blimey, I was hopefully for a rest after several hard partying weekends of stag do’s, but NO my friends have to get married as well! The first was Gary and Ruth on the 30/07/05 in Speldhurst which had Adrian playing the organ during the ceremony. I think the Star Wars theme went down very well! Following the service it was back to the reception pub for the drinking to commence. Sadly a couple of us missed the splendid steam train as the others got smashed on champagne! Dancing, booze and more dancing later Keith announced Gary and Ruth’s wedding present from the Sun team…… a couple of weeks away somewhere warm! Nice! Pictures of the wedding are available from Adrian’s website here.

Then a couple of weeks later on the 13/08/05, we see Adrian and Rosie tie the knot in Lyndhurst which was again a very pleasant ceremony in St Michael’s Church. I must say that the Choir was excellent and the champagne that followed! hic! We then made the long journey across the road to the Crown Hotel for further drinks which then stayed there for the remainder of the evening! It was good to see so many great faces from Sun there.

I think congrats to both newly married couples!