Eurekakaka

Being a humble painter and decorator I sometimes have lots of time to think while the paint-brushes are doing the work. I found my mind wandering towards 2013 and thoughts of what next year's adventures would be in store for me and my Boat For My Potplants.

Apart from going out on the river for the ocasional picnic, once again it is music that comes to the forefront.

Eurekakaka!!! The boat should be turned in to a studio so that I can record weekly radio programmes, and not only that, I can have guests being interviewed and playing their guitar, keyboard, ukelele or whetever the heck they like.

I can play other genres that I know nothing about, like gothic, hip-hop, jazz and reggae, and the boat can become the perfect platform from which to launch this voyage of discovery.

One favourite is Mama Rosin. They're first on my list. They're French speaking Swiss, playing Louisiana Cajun style punk. Wivenhoe has fallen in love with them and for some reason they've fallen in love with Wivenhoe - so much so that they've written a song about us.

Check this out...Mama Rosin: "Wivenhoe"
PS: Best played loud after a few pints.

 

One Thing Leads To Another...

I must have had a couple of drinks the other Sunday at the sailing club (of which I'm not a member, being the owner of a motorised Boat For My Potplants) when I was asked if I might recreate the golden age of Los Amigos's Pirate Radio days of yesteryear - or was it merely yestermonth?

I can't quite remember - it was all such a blur. But anyways, I said yes to the fundraising scheme to get some much-needed dosh for the ferry fund.

Yes, Sir-ree, we do indeed have a non-profit-making ferry that runs across the river when high tide permits, taking passengers from Wivenhoe to Fingringhoe and Rowhedge, all for the good of the local community. If one timed it right, one could even take a bike and cycle off to Mersea Island, go once round, and get back in time for the last return crossing.

So one thing has led to another, and I'm jolly well looking forward to spinning the discs yet again, I can tell you.

It's all go. All I need to do is dig out that smash hit chart-topper by Gerry And The Pacemakers "Ferry Cross To Mersey"                                                                                   
                                                                            
Did I hear a groan somewhere?

Cats And Dogs Opportunity

Finally I had a little time to spend some time on my Boat For My Potplants yesterday afternoon, and the geraniums were looking a bit sad. It's that time of the year again to be thinking about the winter pansies, so off I went to Deans Nurseries to get a load.

Not only that, the boat also needed a good old tidy up inside, and a clean on the outside. So, by the time I got round to doing the gardening, it was already dusk, and I may have looked a little eccentric going about my business in the dark infront of some pub-goers. Never mind, eh?

But when I popped down there this morning to admire my handywork, I couldn't help noticing how dirty the canopy was looking.

It was raining cats and dogs, and I saw that as a perfect opportunity to get the Fairy Liquid out and give it a good old scrubbing, hoping that the rain would do the rinsing off for me. I may be a little eccentric, but I'm not completely daft, you know.

The Craic = Water And Boats And Music

Lucky enough to have planned to visit the beautiful Irish town of Kinsale (County Cork), we turned up and discovered that the 2012 Jazz And Blues Festival was in full-flow during the (Irish) Bank Holiday Weekend.

Regular readers of my blog will by now know that I'm a tad partial to a spot of music, a few potplants, a touch of the black stuff, and the boating life - so I was, I could say, in my element.

As if it wasn't enough, our accommodation was right on the water's edge, overlooking the magnificent harbour - scene of historic battles between Irish and English during years long ago.

Thankfully that was all history, and nowadays the two nationalities embrace with a common interest in all things boaty and all things melodic.

The craic was more than good. The music was outstanding - particularly Jaime Nanci...when he came on stage we expected bovver coming from his punk and teddy boy exterior, until he opened his mouth and began singing sultry jazz in the voice of Nina Simone. It was exquisite.

And being drawn to a river, I was taken in by the tranquility of the many boats, motor and sail, that were moored up here.

Anyone getting the chance to visit - don't hesitate. Jump in at the deep end and soak it up, to be sure.