A Nordhavn sort of day

Think we mentioned before that Neil and Phil (the two main men in Nordhavn Europe) were visiting their customer base "up north". So, we were on their list for a tea and cake stop in the afternoon. We spent the morning cleaning off the grass skirt that we had grown during our 2 weeks away from the boat down south and then preparing to service the big outboard. (The 20HP Yamaha on our RIB). If you remember, Ardfern was the place where our previously totally reliable Japanese engine threw a tantrum that forced the captain to row it back a hundred yards or so. The tantrum was actually a five minute fix for the captain and was down to the nice folks at Warsash marine who hadn't tightened up the fuel filter properly when they serviced it rather than a serious issue with the engine.

Well, the Warsash crew have endeared themselves even more - to make up for the loose fuel filter, the oil drain plug on the engine was solid. totally solid. With the best will in the world and a 14 mm socket, it was not going to budge. Think they must employ a gorilla to tighten those up.So frustrating that you need dealer service stamps on something as basic as a little 2 cylinder 4 stroke outboard to keep the 5 year warranty going. Now the engine approaches its 5th birthday, it will have to rely on the captain's tender loving care. Poor thing....

So, after cursing the gorilla, we abandoned the service. Remind me never ever to use Warsash for anything again please. The BHG guys in Lymington are a whole heap better and nicer people to boot.

PM we were visited by the "Nordhavn two". If that sounds like a jailbreak gang, then it is probably appropriate. You've met Phil beforehand (the Northern Ireland man, not Phil the much better looking Polar Bear). For the avoidance of doubt, this is the good looking Phil who also lives on board as part of the menagerie:

The other Phil filled up the recliner chair in the saloon a little more effectively. If you want to see their official pictures, take a look at: http://www.nordhavn.com/company/sales_reps.php . In case you cannot be bothered, Neil is on the left and befittingly, has a larger image too on the website:

Phil managed to fill the recliner chair a little more effectively than Phil the polar bear. Maybe giving him cake was a mistake. Luckily we didn't need to surgically remove it from him on the way out....

It was great to see them, catch up on what is happening and to hear that the boat business is going well. Apparently brokerage boats (used stuff) is selling well right now, especially the larger craft so if you want to convert from Nordhavn Dreamer (see earlier posts) into owner, better hurry up.

To conclude, Colin (the nom de plume of the BA 747 captain) seems to have a fetish for small furry penguins in grass skirts now. He has mailed twice commenting about Patrick in such an outfit. Now, I thought that BA stewards had the reputation for being gay / strange? BA 747 captains with a  fetish for strangely clad penguins? The mind boggles. Aircraft flight decks are probably closed to visitors now simply because of the strange habits and attire of the flight deck crew, not because of terrorists.....

Colin, all dressed for work and ready for the long haul (to Miami this week) perhaps???

Colin - more eye-liner please in future.

By the way - you folks are now responsible for over 3,500 reads of the posts. Our earlier comments about "get a proper life" are still valid.