Arwen's meanderings

Hi everyone and welcome to my dinghy cruising blog about my John Welsford designed 'navigator' named Arwen. Built over three years, Arwen was launched in August 2007. She is a standing lug yawl 14' 6" in length. This blog records our dinghy cruising voyages together around the coastal waters of SW England.
Arwen has an associated YouTube channel so visit www.YouTube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy to find our most recent cruises and click subscribe.
On this blog you will find posts about dinghy cruising locations, accounts of our voyages, maintenance tips and 'How to's' ranging from rigging standing lug sails and building galley boxes to using 'anchor buddies' and creating 'pilotage notes'. I hope you find something that inspires you to get out on the water in your boat. Drop us a comment and happy sailing.
Steve and Arwen

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Another navigator approaches a launch date

My good friend Joel, over the pond, has posted about another navigator about to be launched. You can read Joel's post at http://navigatorjoel.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/another-navigator-nearing-completion.html

Steve

Saturday, 16 February 2013

Somewhat to my amazement........

I managed to pass my CBT today for the scooter. The humiliation of failing given that number one son passed it last week would have been unbearable.
Phew!

Steve

Saturday, 9 February 2013

"Stacey" comes of age


His first big adventure

My son has just completed his first big scooter journey; 20 miles across Dartmoor. At the other end, a pit stop to have a bacon Sarnie and chips with his good old Dad. "Stacey" did very well. She can reach 40mph, has a nifty turn of speed, handles well and feels well balanced and responsive. Not bad for a 50 year old. Sounds a bit like my missus!



Steve

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Navigator stingaree is for sale

www.trademe.co.nz/motors/boats-marine/yachts-sail-boats/small-sailboats/auction-559353710.htm 

Monday, 4 February 2013

Forgot to add the sketches





Some iPad apps

I promised that I'd post on  some iPad apps when I had had a play with them. Well I still have to test and evaluate the ones to do with sailing but I have been playing with one or two I like. One is called popplet. Essentially it is a simple mind mapping programme that allows you to add text boxes, photos and I'm not sure but will check, possibly video clips.



Another one is 'paper'. Now I do like this one because it allows you to do watercolour and pen sketches with merely a finger. I am no artist and not amount of practice will get to be one but he a a couple of attempts whilst out on Plymouth hoe last weekend. They are scenes from the Plymouth sound scenery; looking across to Drakes Island and also eastwards towards the Mountbatten pier and Jennycliffe bay. Forgive my amateurish attempts but it has been fun.

Steve



Friday, 1 February 2013

Well here is a moment we have waited for

Number one son on his very first scooter lesson
Steve