Writing

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.

Writing

Living aboard, learning aboard and writing aboard. A blog about boats, books and life.

We hope that others will be inspired by our writing and pictures to dream, learn, adventure and enjoy the world around them.

Things we have written:

I have put links in to various publications. I do not get royalties for any of them although I have received prize money or payment for some pieces. The majority of the anthologies are raising funds for different charities and would appreciate the support if you fancy ordering and reading them - obviously they are brilliant!

Blogtober challenge 2021. 31 blog posts written over 31 days

This is the shipping forecast. Short story entry for Sistership publishing competition Weather on the water
NaNoWriMo 2020. 50,000 word challenge completed

Tritely challenged volume 2 No. 138 - The appointment. A flash Fiction piece published in a charity anthology

NaNoWriMo 2019. Participant

Sensorially challenged volume 2 No. 174 - A cooling dip. A flash fiction piece about Dartmoor published in one of Christopher Fielden's charity challenge anthologies

Voyaging Pets. An anthology from women on the water. Susie - A dog on a cat. Short story and 'place getter' in Sistership competition of voyaging pet stories. Published in an anthology

NaNoWriMo 2018. 50,000 word challenge completed

Memories of Haslar compiled by E Birbeck & D Gary (Chaplin books 2017). My memories published as part of a collection of stories and photos from the staff and patients of a very loved hospital. Available from the Haslar Heritage Group

Journey through the night. Short story entry to Stories for Homes competition

Adverbially challenged Number 184 - Pirate treasure & number 185 - Facebook. Published in a flash fiction anthology by Christopher Fielden. His website is a fun place to look if you're looking for information on writing challenges and competitions

NaNoWriMo 2016 Participant

Various flash fiction entered in monthly on-line competitions with Jericho Writers

Flying kites brief report on European custom checks whilst sailing. Submitted to UK sailing magazine

Nursing Times.net Return to practice a first-hand account. Reflective article published on a professional nursing website

Yachting Monthly Cruising log. Learning from a new way of life. Published article in well known UK sailing magazine

NaNoWriMo 2014. 50,000 word challenge completed

I have also completed a book of adventures for children which is looking for representation and am working on several other projects at the moment. Mainly because writing is fun and it is very difficult to not be inspired by the sea