Avast ye, ya land lubbers...

Now then, regular readers of this blog (well at least I hope that there are some!) may well be aware of the mirror dinghy that used to occupy the floor space within the base for my many projects (and plans for world domination) known to all and sundry as ‘the garage’. The sharp eyed amongst you have possible noticed the past tense used within the opening line of this post, indicating that said dinghy is no more and I must admit, albeit a little sheepishly, that this is indeed the case. Now just desist with that wailing and the gnashing of teeth as all is not lost, for I have good reason for giving the little lady a Viking funeral.

Upon removing the gunwhales and side pieces it became apparent that the dinghy was not so much of a restoration project but was more like a total rebuild apart from the top decking at the bow, with much cracking and very large areas where the ply was very soft even after drying. The problem with this would that it would take a huge part of my ‘out there’ time denying myself and Clare valuble time in the fresh air together. The idea was that the dinghy was to be a winter project allowing another form for both of us to enjoy the outdoors this year. So it was with a heavy heart and a lump rising within my throat that the little lady has been carried by bright flames to Valhalla (along with a varied assortment of garage debris). All that remained were the top deck pieces of marine ply (and with good reason!).

So there I was, little boy lost with me lower lip jutting out some considerable distance when the spirits of the outdoors must have taken a look at the pitiful sight of my despair and smiled, nay grinned, at me, well outdoor spirits in the form of me matey Jim that is. Remember my posting some weeks ago ‘a slight dilemma’ where the prospect of another mirror dinghy had arisen? Well to be honest I’d given up any notion of this ‘phantom vessel’ ever appearing over the horizon until just the other day when Jim pipes up in work “get your backside into gear; we’re picking the mirror up tomorrow”. Well would you credit it, God pats me on the head and says “good boy John”. The following morning duly arrives and low and behold by midday there is a mirror dinghy hull (not hulk) residing within the hallowed walls of the garage – result.

Not only has she arrived, but the little lady is defiantly a winter project with considerable less work to do on her to get her on the water. This is the project that I’d been hoping for and even though there is still some considerable work to be done I’m really looking forward to it. At the moment she’s been given some days to dry out before the stripping of all paint and varnish commences and a more detailed inspection is carried out.

Call me fickle if you like but this lady now has my entire garage time attention with the other old crone just a distant memory, although the ply from her top deck will be used for some of the minor repair work so she’ll not be forgotten totally. Oh and how much has this cost me thus far? The cost of the fun cruisers diesel to pick her up, yep cheap skate really is my middle name.

Oh and one final piece of news, a little bit of freebie ‘kit’ has magically wormed its way into my life in the form of a stainless steel divers knife, from when divers considered big blades (7 inches!) the bling to be strapped upon their legs. For me it’s going into the sea fishing tackle box.

Now then if I can just figure out how to group related posts you’ll be able to follow my progress on the restoration of Carpe Diem II a little more easily than trawling through all manner of me musings. Damn this technical stuff……

WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?

A slight dilemma..

Well a reasonably interesting week for me, problem is that I’ve been left in a bit of a dilemma by my mate Jim. We’ve arranged to go sailing this Thursday in preparation for the winter series at Gresford Flash sailing club. Well, when I say sailing what I really mean is that I’m crewing for Jim in his 14’ enterprise whilst he basically gets to shout obscenities at me for pulling all the wrong bits or not moving my butt fast enough (Jim only races to win). Whilst we organized Thursday’s berating, Jim mentioned that there might be another mirror dingy hull arriving at the club looking for a good home. He thinks that this hull may well be better condition than the one taking up residence within the hallowed walls of my garage and could possible be close to my favorite fee (yep free that is). Now here is my dilemma, this hull may well be in better condition than the little lady sitting in the garage, meaning an easier restoration job for yours truly. Also it could be purchased at a very reasonable price (yes I know, I’m cheap). But, having spent some time already rubbing down and getting to know the little ladies curves I am feeling a strange bond with her and a small measure of guilt for already thinking of replacing her if the usurper is in better condition. So I think that you may well understand my problem, because I don’t think that Clare would for one minute entertain two restoration projects in the garage! I think I’ll just see what happens on Thursday when I’m hoping to inspect the new hull.

On the up side however, the little lady is now sitting the right way up after I’ve finally completed the stand. This means that I’ll be able to start stripping her top decks and carefully removing the less than solid sides to provide templates for the replacements. For now I’m a little hesitant continuing any further until I decide which hull is going to receive my affections! Any words of wisdom would be gratefully appreciated, But until then I’ll keep you all posted as soon as a decision has been made. Ah well I guess I’ll butterfly over to the fridge and help myself to some cider, now then was that going to be apple or pear …….

Carpe Diem

On a more serious note than my usual postings, the little lady known as Project X has been named. Just over 12 months ago a good friend of Clare’s lost her battle with cancer. Lisa fought her battle with courage, dignity and with a spirit rarely seen in today’s world. Lisa’s motto was “Carpe Diem”, and she was and still is to all who knew her an example of how to face this life and all that it throws at us, good and bad. So for all of you, who read this, raise a glass, think long and hard about your life and what is truly important, and when you see my little lady, Carpe Diem, spread her wings over mill pond calm waters, smile and seize the day.

To Lisa, may we all learn from you and your courage.

To a Mouse......

Do you ever remember that saying “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley?” taken from a Scottish poem, ‘To a mouse’ by a certain Mr. R. Burns. Well I bloody well do! Project X started off so well, a wooden dinghy, with sails and at a great price (free that was), Clare happy with my excursions to the garage, (lots of brownie points scored including, dare I say, housework and ironing), finding myself in rude health, the sun shone brilliantly from above, the fact that everybody in the whole wide world seemed to love me, and God seemed to pat me on the head saying ‘good boy John’. Oh yes life was good.

Did you happen notice the word ‘was’ carefully hidden within the previous terminal line of the above paragraph? You did? Well I guess you have some foreboding of what’s coming next then. A cautionary word at this point for the next paragraph is not for the squeamish nor those faint of heart.

As I was saying it all started off so well until firstly, about 3 weeks ago, I was struck down with one of those embarrassing conditions which are quite humorous until your good self becomes the victim. Yes I’m talking hemorrhoids' here. Oh you may mock, you may well even titter a wee bit, but I’m here to bear witness that I’d rather suffer from severe toothache or even have a couple of digits removed via a rusty hack saw, than go through the personal hell that hemorrhoids' bless a person with. So began 2 weeks off work sitting on inflatable furniture, unable to do bugger all on Project X, in fact unable to do bugger all point blank that is apart from applying medication and potions to the unmentionable area of my body! Did I also mention that everybody in the world loved me? Ah silly me, just so over confident again, I’m now officially the black sheep of the entire Wooldridge clan due to some issues of not being a best man at my brothers wedding (best man? I didn’t even go) and enlightening my aged parents with some hard, truthful facts about said brother (the golden child that is). Ah well I could go on about this for some considerable time but me mate Rob would just shout at me, call me Mr. Angry and tell me to let it go – cheers Rob, you’re a star.

Anyway on to more pressing and important concerns, Project X. From what seemed a promising beginning project X has taken a slight turn for the worst. After closer inspection I’ve decided to replace both fore and aft topside pieces on both port and starboard sides (tis becoming quite nautical this is...). This being down to the fact that the little lady was stored belly up outside for the previous couple of years. The upshot of this is that water has seeped up the edges of the ply between the gunwhales’ causing to much rot to repair and leave a sturdy support for the rigging and rollocks etc. unfortunately this will mean removing all the horizontal deck pieces to affect a decent repair. Secondly I’ve stripped the multiply layers of paint from the lower using Nitro Morse craftsman gunk (lovely stuff just avoiding splashing it on anything you value!). This has revealed 4 previous repair patches none of which were too healthy, so these are to be redone. At the present time the plan is to construct a couple of supporting frames to support the hull right side up to allow the decking strip down to commence. So that’s where I’m at, work’s going to be delayed for a tad whilst I notch up some more brownie points, cause according to Clare I’ve reached my limit. So it looks like kick boards for the kitchen then……

Early Days

Early days

01- 09-2009. Project X has safely been installed upside down upon 4 axle stands, (cheers Rob), within my garage. The majority of loose and peeling paint has been scrapped off to accelerate the drying process. The plan is to allow the hull time to dry, without heat, for several weeks to avoid warping. Oh and allow me time to complete point scoring household jobs so that I may become a hermit later in the year. Some areas of rot and damage can now be seen to be more severe than originally thought whilst other areas are in better shape than was first thought. At this point in time there is nothing apparently so severe that cannot be overcome, happy days.

Project X

Mirror Dinghy Project Log

After some time searching for a project to while away the dark cold evenings of winter, project X has arrived. Initial projects included a Mirror dinghy hull (complete with large hole) which was, after 18 months being home to several spiders, cruelly sawn in two and removed to the local tip, also arrived was a metro which firstly was to become a trike and then become the donor car for a Freestyle off road buggy and then became 20 pounds worth of scrap, ho hum. Several more hair brained ideas raised their heads (hair brained according to Clare) over the last few years only to be cast aside because of frustration, lethargy or for just been simply downright stupid (again according to Clare).

So I found myself without a project which didn’t making the house smarter, warmer, and tidier or more environmentally friendly! What kind of shed head could I aspire to be without a project that would be testing but fun to complete and then even more fun to use? But then it happened, the world indeed did tip upon its axis and fortune began to slide my way. It began in a small, inconspicuous way as these things tend to do, Clare and I began to get fit, dieting and exercise began to dominate our lives this summer. We started walking, swimming and badminton amongst other things. Up to this point Clare has shed nearly 4 stone and me nearly 3. But then autumn has started to loom in the very near future which will soon be followed by the shroud of winter. The project twitch started to show along with that feral gleam in my eyes and the garage sirens’ were calling me once more.

Clare made an announcement, “Oh yes John, you may have a project”, wait for it, “as long as it adds to our new, outdoor and active lifestyle”. Mmmmm a toughie that, until my mate Jim Lad announced that there was a second Mirror hull at his sailing club within my budget (free that is) Yes I know I’ve already trashed one but it was truly knackered. So the idea was put to Clare of how about a small fishing boat that could be rowed and or motored or even sailed on lake or inshore sea? Success! Hook, line, sinker and a copy of the Angling times! The idea was stamped, er without actually mentioning that it was another Mirror dinghy.

So after several attempts to organize delivery the little boat arrived in the last week of August. Clare shot me a slightly sideways look when it turned out to be a Mirror and worse that it was the exact same color as the previous rotting hulk with graced the garage with out actually doing anything except take up space. Other negatives include a damaged front end (stem), several holes and areas of rot, no trailer and yes it is the same color as the previous dinghy. On the other hand there are some positives too, the rot and holes are confined to the top of the boat where it has drawn water up from been upturned on the ground for a couple of years, the mast along with the centre board and rudder were discovered under the boat, Jim Lad has come up with a set of sails, a seagull 1.5hp outboard has been donated by my father and Clare likes the damn thing, result. The little beauty is of yet unnamed but arrived without a name so bad luck can be avoided by renaming her.