A Bit Of A Disappointment

I apologise to all my green-fingered friends out there in the boating world. I assume there are many. Or at least several. Perhaps a few. Or is it only me?

Since receiving a thousand pounds from a reader of this blog, with which to purchase an outboard motor, I've been somewhat neglectful of another very important aspect relating to my Boat For My Potplants - the potplants themselves.

This year they are indeed a sorry state of affairs. I did have my doubts when I saw them for sale outside a house in the High Street, with a sign "Winter Pansies For Sale - TEN for a fiver". So I suppose I only have myself to blame.

I mistakenly thought that my high-class horticulture would look after itself whilst I was busy holding top-level talks with motor manufacturers at The London Boat Show.

Without the potplants, there would be no boat. So although I may be ecstatic about A VERY EXCITING DEVELOPMENT with a certain company beginning with 'S' and ending in 'I' (more details next blog), I must remind myself that even winter pansies need the care and attention that they deserve.

Thanks Yamaha

So I strided (or is it strode?) in to the Excel in London for my first ever boat show, and made a beeline for the Yamaha stand. 'Good morning, Sir. Can I help you?', said the executive.

'Yes', I said, and proceeded to explain about The Boat For My Potplants, emphasising my collaborations with blue-chip companies who have been flocking to participate in this unfolding story.

'Of course, Sir. We would be honoured to donate our latest 15hp model with electric start, all in the name of good-will to you and your fantastic blog. All we want you to do is mention our name - Yamaha.'

Yamahayamahayamahayamahaaaaayyyyaaaaaaammmmmmmaaaaha.

And then I woke up and quickly got dressed and went round to my mate Simon, who had agreed to drive us down to the venue.

I was armed with my shopping list, comprising toilet light and outboard motor.

I didn't manage to get any of those, but I did end up buying an excellent cooking knife from a very nice man who gave me a special-offer free sharpener.

It's Showtime - Part One

For the first time I'm going to the London Boat Show. Before I had a Boat For My Potplants it never occurred to me that one day I'd become even remotely interested, let alone very excited, about spending a day looking at boats and boat-related products.

I'd better write out my shopping list tonight and leave it out on the hall table ready for the morning.

Here's what my list will include...

A light for the toilet
A new plant pot for the winter pansies
A 15hp Honda Four-Stroke Electric Start Long Shaft Slow Revving Outboard Motor

I'll wager that I'll only be lucky with the toilet-light, but you never know.

See how I get on, in Part Two - coming soon to a computer near you!