Bunny Eve
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

Eve in bar Rotterdam

Leningrad Jesus
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

Michael playing with his hair…

Hoegaarden construction set
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

After a good meal (but much confusion with the bills) at Henrix BBQ, we’re at Rotterdam bar playing with the cool Hoegaarden beer mats, which slot together like a construction set.

Vappu!
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

We’re at Havis Amanda statue in Helsinki celebrating Vappu. A long evening is ahead…

Kittiwake!
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

So we decided on a name for the H-boat: Kittiwake. (For those who don’t know, it’s a type of small, white gull – suitable for a small, white boat). Arthur Ransome’s second boat was called Kittiwake (but his first boat was called Slug!).

As the ice has mostly left and it’s started to get sunny and warm, it’s time to fix up the boats ready for launching. Right now I’m spending every evening on the boat: cleaning, fixing the gelcoat, and soon waxing above the water line and painting with anti-fouling paint below. Next Saturday & Sunday will be spent mostly at the boat, though I’ll have to finish early on Sunday as it’s Vappu!

My best guess right now is that the boat will be ready by the end of the weekend after Vappu, i.e. 6-7th May. Then I’ve just got to book a crane-lorry for launching it.

In the King’s Arms, Stratton
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

Mum, Andy & Maggie are staying in Stratton’s King’s Arms before Gran’s internment tomorrow, and we gathered together for a meal. There were Dad, Mum, Gareth, Andy, Maggie, Adam & me. A very jolly time was had by all, and perhaps slightly more alcohol was drunk than was wise. They had a couple of very nice real ales – Exmoor Ale was one, but (hic) I don’t remember the name of the other. Time to go to bed, I think…

Cobweb II at Bude canal
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

While out for a walk today, I noticed this small yacht on Bude canal – obviously she had recently been sailing on the sea. She’s about the same size as our new H-boat, and reminded me (as if I needed it) of our hopes for the H-boat this summer.

Zennor and a bronze fairy
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

Dad & I visited Gareth & Zennor at Keveral farm. It was raining lightly, so we decided to visit Carnglaze Caverns – after all, it probably doesn’t rain underground (though in fact, the cave ceiling may have been dripping more frequently).

After going underground and seeing the subterranean lake, we reemerged back into the rain. We noticed the first of the bronze fairy statues in the ‘enchanted dell’, and Zennor posed next to it. “Which of us is more pretty?” she asked.

Fishing boat in Bude harbour
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

I went for my usual long walk around Bude, including the downs overlooking the beaches, Summerleaze beach, the breakwater, the canal and the ‘castle’. Bude is a very beautiful place, and the weather couldn’t have been better – sunny and warm, but with a rather cold breeze.

It always gives me a great feeling of calm and unwinding as I wander around the places familiar from my childhood. I feel very lucky to have a home town like this.

Directors Bitter at Crooklets Inn
Originally uploaded by Greygriffin.

When you’re staying with my Dad, you end up drinking a lot of these! (Not just Directors, but Worthington’s Cream Flow and lots of interesting real ales).