Away For A While

Several feelers have now been put about declaring that I am keen to have a mooring for The Boat For My Potplants. And today, I have been invited to join a group of people, the Wivenhoe Ocean Racing Club, which I will be delighted to do. Now, the Club, or W.O.R.C., as it's better known sounds like my cup of tea, or swig of rum. Not only is there no ocean nearby, neither is there any racing - except to the bar for the first drink. So I, with my sole eccentric membership of B.F.M.P., should fit in quite nicely, I trust.

Now, I don't know much about the Club yet, except that it does a wonderful job in helping to raise funds for the British Legion's building upkeep here on Wivenhoe Quay. It was W.O.R.C. that put on the magnificent firework display that I blogged about a couple of weeks ago.

I am now looking forward to putting my boat, with its potplants, up for the next ocean race, hopefully in the not-too-distant future.

In the meantime, dear bloggers, important work is pulling me away to distant lands for the next two weeks. I will be cooking gastronomic extravaganzas, painting high walls, and relaxing with friends. Mentally though, I will be still on my boat, wondering whether my wish for a mooring will be granted when I return.

Excuse Me!

Well, dear bloggees, it has been a while now since my last posting. Not for lack of enthusiasm on my part - no siree, far from it. It's just that until I get a mooring I can't really do much in the way of arranging transportation for the Boat For My Potplants from St Neots to Wivenhoe.

However, earlier this week, I did have a Very Important Meeting with a Very Important Person who knows Someone Who Has A Mooring that may possibly be available. I have to wait patiently. I have discovered that here in Wivenhoe it's not about what you know, but who you know, that counts. I was a little dismayed by the question put to me about whether Wivenhoe actually wants another rotten old boat on its quayside. Excuse me!

In the meantime, my small article has been submitted to Essex Life Magazine, and my fingers are crossed that publication could take place in their January edition. And if they print a photo as well, then who know where it all may lead. It could be the start of something Big. Then moorings galore will be offered to me left right and centre.

I didn't get where I am, etc etc

In my last blog I mentioned The Company Shed as an ideal destination for the Boat For My Potplants. Thousands of you bloggers have asked what The Company Shed is. Well, it is the most delightful 'restaurant' imaginable, located on Mersea Island by the water's edge. It serves sea-food for take-away, or (if you're lucky) you might get a seat inside where you are encouraged to bring your own bread and wine. Scallops, prawns, lobsters, white fish, salmon, crabs are bountiful. You name it, they serve it.

However, when mentioning my desire to take the boat there, my friend Greg (whom I reluctantly admit probably does know a thing or two about boating) has steadfastly advised against me taking the Boat For My Potplants to this great place. 'You will have to cross the wide estuary', he says. 'It is SEA. Your boat is a RIVER boat. It is called a RIVER boat because it was built to go on RIVERS, not the SEA'.

Greg - you are such a kill-joy. I didn't get where I am today, etc etc by listening to people telling me what I can't do. But on this one, you're probably right. Even more reason why I have to prove you wrong.

All Very Technical

Could fame beckon for The Boat For My Potplants? We have been invited to write something for publication in the excellent Essex Life Magazine about us (the boat and me that is). We hope to also include a picture of our dilapidated state, in the hope that someone somewhere might take pity on us and help us improve.

In the meantime, discussions have been raging with people in-the-know about the boat's motor's power requirements. Apparently, if it's only a few horse power it will take all day to go up to Mersea Island to The Company Shed, and by the time we get there the tide will be out so we'd be left stranded. But, also apparently, you can't just go and fit a more powerful motor. It's all about the drag of the hull, and the lift that is gained.

It all sounds very technical to me, and to some of you dear bloggers too, no doubt.

"It's all about yer cockpit for maximum growth"

Something that I just hadn't realised until this evening was that "It's all about the position of the cockpit for maximum growth", according to our great friend Sandra. "What do you mean, Sandra?", I asked.
"Well, it's obvious. Unless the boat's cockpit is south-facing, yer pots aint gonna flourish."

So, on those words of wisdom, I relax, knowing that I have become another step closer to fulfilling the dream of A Boat For My Potplants.

Yes, Yes, Yes and No

Yes, I have had a quote to get the Boat For My Potplants taken from St Neots to Wivenhoe by road, for £275.

Yes, Essex Life Magazine says I can submit a letter for them to publish in their magazine abiut this blogsite.

Yes, dear bloggees, you could become (semi-) famous.

No, I haven't got a mooring yet.

Simples

I have a Great Idea! I will write to the boating magazines in case they might be interested in the unfolding story of A Boat For My Potplants. Or should I write to the gardening magazines? Either way, you never know what might happen. After all, their magazines are about boats (or potplants), so one of their readers just might be able to steer me in the right direction. And, dear bloggers, I certainly need steering.

It may be obvious to you, dear readers, that I know little about boats (and not a lot more about potplants either) However, I am sure the trusty sword of my enthusiasm ought to carry me forward in my personal crusade. I could do with some help though.

All I have to do now is to look up the magazines' addresses, find out the names of the editors, send them a link to my blog, and the rest is as simples as a meerkat's ass.