scelder.org.uk
“And if I haver, yeah I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who’s havering to you.”
“And if I haver, yeah I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who’s havering to you.”
“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realise fishing is stupid and boring.” — Desmond Tutu, South African cleric
"When a body or individual loses some of its parts which are replaced by others of the same nature, the body or individual will retain its nature as before, with no change in its form". - Baruch Spinoza (1632 -1677) probably after viewing Only Fools and Horses.
"If a man must be obsessed by something, I suppose a boat is as good as anything, perhaps a bit better than most. A small sailing craft is not only beautiful, it is seductive and full of strange promise and the hint of trouble." - E.B. White.
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” - Groucho Marx
Liking - Pedal Power - Small Boat Sailing - Poetry - Blogging Nonsense - Old Books - Malt Whisky - Father Ted.
Disliking - Jet skiers.
Hello! You've found a website about cycling and small boat sailing. Yes, those two things. No, I don't know why either. But I've had fun putting it all together and with a few extra bonus bits I've collected over the years. Prepare for stories of sore legs, wet bottoms, and the occasional moment of pure, unadulterated self-indulgence.
To make the most of early retirement, I have done the odd long-distance cycle tour. Visiting Spain, France and the Western Islands of Scotland. My last trip followed the Rhine from its source to the sea. I have also done a number of the Sustrans routes in the UK.
Apart from the occasional 'big boat' sailing, I have for many years explored Britain’s wonderful coastline in a GP14 dinghy. This is usually a week's sailing based at a particular estuary.
I currently have two GP14 dinghies, ‘Soirbheas', in which I used to race most weekends. I also have 'Aeolian,' a GP14, built in 1950. I spend many hours rubbing it down and varnishing, then I rub it down again and varnish, then I ru.....
In the last few years, I have enjoyed attending 'classic' boat rallies, with either 'Aeolian' or, occasionally, with a 1950 clinker built, Sea Ranger, 'Phoenix' that I helped restore.
I am a member of the Dinghy Cruising. . . , Classic and Vintage Dinghy ,. . . .and the GP14 ,. . . Associations.
The Royal Yachting Association awarded me their Gold Medal Community Award in 2014. In 2013, I was a finalist in the 'Old Pultney Whisky' Maritime Heroes Awards.
These cycle/sailing trips take a long time to plan, and I may as well share these experiences with you. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to make the best use of your time on planet Earth. As for the 'indulgence blogging', if I come across something that brings a smile to my grumpy, old face or it simply inspires me, then I will share it here in the hope it will do the same for you.
Stewart (Clan Chief of the Grumpy Old Men)