Birthday girl !

The saga of Carolines broken finger will be updated during this entry but as there will be photos I thought i'd warn those of a weak disposition!!

Before that and not of a nautical nature, Monday 16th May was our daughter Charlotte's 18th birthday........ where has the time gone? Caroline and I couldn't let this major event pass without mention of her twin brother, our son Ryan who died when he was 19 months old. To us they are both 18, we all miss him terribly despite the years and this picture and facebook entry from Charlotte says more than we ever could..

"Guess what little bro! We're 18 tomorrow!! Gone but never forgotten have a drink for me up there because I sure will have one for you down here! Love you to the moon and back" happy birthday xxxxxxxx

Charlotte didn't want too much fanfare on her birthday but the Rockley btec students had other ideas and arranged a surprise party for her at our home. not before throwing her fully clothed off the jetty first though....... I have never seen so many empty bottles and cans AND the music was sooo loud. Apologies to the neighbours !

She is off to the south west of France in early June to spend the summer working as an assistant watersports instructor for Rockley Watersports as part of her course. The course, facilities and instructors are great and Charlotte is so at home there.

Carolines broken finger now has scaffolding around it that looks something else. X-rays now show a spiral fracture in 4 places and she's not at all happy. She sees a specialist next week who will decide whether to insert pins or leave the scaffolding in place.

To be fair, it does look painful but I can't help thinking the scaffolding with the used balloon on the tip is overkill but it needs to heal and is a great conversation starter.

This has given us time to look at the list, yes the list, and this weekend our home port of Poole held its own boat show. It's nothing too grand as the event is only in its 2nd year but give it chance and with the backdrop of Poole harbour who knows! My business exhibits each year at the RYA Dinghy show which is where I first saw the FRiB design. As luck would have it they were exhibiting in the Poole show so both Caroline and I spent some time on the stand discussing size and suitable engine. As usual I wanted to go for a FRiB360 but the Salesman and Caroline felt a 330 was more than big enough and would take upto a 15hp outboard although a 9.9hp would be more than enough to speed us and payload along.

So we placed an order for a FRiB330 and they even threw in a cushion seat and zipped compartment bag for free..... Caroline can charm anyone :-)

Having read numerous blogs in recent years, it seems most cruisers have had to buy hard bottomed dinghies within a year of departure as standard inflatables just can't stand up to the pounding given to them. The FRiB is an ingenious design in that it is a folding RiB. The ability to deflate, fold into a small area and stow on the coachroof sold it for us as we don't want to put davits onboard.

We have a Mariner 6hp less than a year old so will use that until nearer our departure unless we find a great deal and "fingers" goes on the charm offensive.

We hope to collect the boat from the dealers in Hamble point Marina before the bank holiday so we/I can play !!!