Well, well, here we are almost another year done and in just over a month, St Nick will sail down the chimney with boating booty galore for the family. It will come in a blink.
Despite the quiet times, very quiet at times on the forum, we still seem to attract new members so someone is reading us
if you ever look down at the bottom of the index page you will see this kinda stuff…Total posts 7672 • Total topics 1209 • Total members 261 .
Given we are basically a one design forum, that’s not a bad little catalogue of boating info and a long browse for new members. Mrs Ozzie and I have now had Spritzig II for 18 years and as usual at this time of year, lament that we have not used her more in the past 12 months and always resolve to rectify that in the next. Sometimes we succeed, but even if we only make it out half a dozen times a season we still enjoy it and are grateful we can.
The boat now owes us nothing and is still the best “value for money” recreational toy we have owned. The mooring makes it a picnic spot as well as a fishing platform, escape room, blah blah, you know the song. The sailing is the icing on the cake. I was talking it over with an old non sailing mate last week and mentioned “under sail” was one, if the few times, I really disconnect and truly relax.
Age 70 is rushing up rather quickly although still in the distance and many of my friends are there already. We are hopeful health problems won’t get in the way of getting a few more seasons out of Spritz before passing her on to the next owners. Time will tell. In August, a close friend suffered a major medical crisis. He is now, miraculously, still alive, facing life in a wheelchair but putting a superhuman effort into rehabilitation. He’s only 68. It makes you realise how lucky you can be to enjoy reasonable health, the simple pleasures of a vintage sailing boat and not waking up with bombs raining down on you from the madman just up the road. Message I guess, is enjoy every day on the water.
To all those who may have been affected by our current weather and flooding disasters, some of which we have witnessed first hand recently in our travels, we hope you get some relief and recovery over the Christmas period and a better 2023.
Thanks to Geoff for moderating and minding the electrons and electronics that make the continuation of this little forum possible. Thanks to our other mods, Ray and Emrys for their support and input and thanks for all contributions and most excellent advice from members. Thanks also to those that don’t post but still show up for a squiz. That little readout at the bottom of the page means we are not talking to ourselves so we are keeping on posting and sailing….from Sunday 20th…..
WHO IS ONLINE
In total there are 21 users online :: 2 registered, 0 hidden and 19 guests (based on users active over the past 5 minutes) Most users ever online was 138 on Fri Mar 13, 2020 3:26 am
As per the usual diatribe from me at this time of the year we are staying off the road as much as possible. It’s safer over Xmas with your hand on the tiller than your foot on the accelerator. Full sails, fair winds, take care and enjoy your family, your boats and the festive season. Get well Michael.
Ozzie and crew, Dec 2022
