What's going on with the boat?

After ten years living on Tarquilla we have moved to land. I'm often asked if we love the house or miss the boat and the real answer is - both. We still have Tarquilla and we are open to all options at the moment as far as her future is concerned. We will carry on working on her, it would be great to be able to sail her again. The Scilly Isles, Portishead marina, Bristol harbour and Falmouth are all places we have talked about as well as many others further afield. But, on the other hand, if a family was looking for a boat, ready to do the preparation she needs and wanted to take her on then we would sell her. She is not ready to sail off into the sunset but has a lot of life left in her. If you or someone you know would be interested then please contact us. She is 3 ply cold moulded, 42 foot long, one off design built in the 1960's. She has 2 double cabins and 2 single berths, a good size saloon, a decent size galley, head and a covered cockpit. She has two engines and a full suit of sails. We have lots more photos and can provide more details or answer questions. In the meantime, this blog has come to a natural pause for now as we take on new adventures.

Have pencil case will travel - boat school update.


This term the boys decided they wanted to spend more time doing other things – learn sewing, do more music, more art………one of the advantages of home education is the flexibility in so many ways – what they learn, how they learn, even where and when. Why stay inside with books on a lovely day when you can go and explore or why stick with a topic which has run out of steam? We are not quite of the completely unschooled child-led homeschooling club but we do try to involve them in decisions so we decided to give it a go.

 

The main topic this ‘term’ (yes, I use that very loosely) is Space, being part of the national curriculum and endlessly enjoyable for young boys it’s ideal and a topic I had stocked up on resources for before we left. It fits in nicely now as an exciting topic for the start of a new year and as it is dark enough to see stars and other celestial bodies at a reasonable time in the evening.

 

Demonstrating the orbits of the Earth and Moon etc. in the marina car park.

 
Art has taken on more exciting challenges including some scary looking alien creatures created out of modelling clay currently drying in the cockpit, technical drawing of space craft and some very creative galaxies.
 

 

Sewing started basic with felt cut out initials sewn on to contrasting backing felt for the older two and random stitching on felt using a sewing hoop for the youngest, he loved choosing the colours to use. Having taken to sewing like ducks to water, they have now moved on to bigger challenges. The eldest is currently working on a travelling car mat (mat for toy cars that is not a mat for a car) using felt, the middles mended a stuffed toy himself and the youngest has been involved in creating felt cupcakes.
 
 
Random stitching.

 
We’ve had a couple of pleasant mornings exploring different types of music and rhythm (loudly!) using both the stereo and percussion instruments, and working on new recorder pieces and songs. It has also inspired them to pick up guitars and harmonicas again. They are learning some basic music theory as they go and if I’m honest I’m enjoying playing the flute and recorder again as much as they are!

 

So the new timetable appears to be working well (OK, maybe a couple of times science or literacy has leaked over to the next day) so we’ll be sticking to that for now. Well, until we fancy changing things again……….

 

 



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