Life and Times: RYA Level 2 & Sailing Around the Forth Bridge

2013. október 26., szombat 21:21

Old chum James Keys came up to visit me in sunny Scotland to complete our RYA level 3 course down at Port Edgar sailing school. Unfortunately for us, the skills we had picked up in Australia weren’t quite to level 2 standard and we were also a tad rusty. The instructor deemed it better use of time if we polished off our RYA level 2 and then started working towards the level 3.

Overlooking Port Edgar Harbour

Overlooking Port Edgar Harbour

We spent a lot of time in Wayfarers and Lasers, the latter of which resulted in an accidental capsize and a couple of clobbers round the head with the boom. Later on, due to thorough dehydration throughout the day, my leg managed to get really awful cramp and another smack round the head. Not ideal. Needless to say, the next day we practised dry capsizes as well as lots of coming alongside. We then fought a couple of younger lads (who had a much faster boat) in a two lap three point race. Keys was at the helm for the first and last. On my leg skippering they capsized twice before the gun had even gone. It was a photo finish. Keys led us to an assumed victory in the third leg though and we were triumphant.

The Forth Bridge(s)

The Forth Bridge(s)

A thoroughly enjoyable weekend and I look forward to next years season so that we can take advantage and sail lots! Eventually my plan is to get a boat and do some longer cruises, possibly to FOREIGN LANDS.

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The day after, hangovers in hand, and a rather upsetting 4th place in the Wally pub quiz, I was moving house. Fortunately I had the foresight to do some rather drunk packing at 2am. When I received a call at midday telling me the movers were “ahead of schedule” and that they would “be over soon” I was absolutely over the moon, and jumped straight out of bed.

This dog accosted me in the Estate Agents

This dog accosted me in the Estate Agents

Hangover notwithstanding, I soldiered on and moved down the road to my new house. Unfortunately there was absolutely nothing in the way of kitchen-ware so I’ve been raiding Amazon to stock up on much needed utensils.

I’ve never lived by myself before, but I am feeling a bit liberated. I’m not sure exactly what it is or why, but I certainly feel more free, more in control of my life and direction, and generally happier. Unfortunately I’ve been rather ill the past week so I haven’t been able to get out and about like I would like but hopefully I’ll get better soon.

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It’s been rather quiet on the poker front for me. I have barely played since the WSOP this summer and my next tournament won’t be until November when I’m making my maiden voyage to South Africa for the WPT. I’m extremely excited to be going and have heard wonderful things about both the country and the tournament so it should be a cracker.

Fortunately to keep my interested piqued, both my horses have been doing well and I had the enjoyment of railing good friend and backing accomplice to a very decent third place in the WSOP Europe main event. I remember saying in this blog a couple of years ago that I thought he’d go on to have a huge year, but that was last year so it’s good to see he is continuing his form. Add the usual clichés of no one deserving it more, hard worker, lovely guy etc and it’s the perfect storm. The thing about Dominik is he will also continue to do well because he is genuinely passionate and spends hours and hours of time to make sure he stays ahead of the curve, more than the “oh yeah about hands with a few friends” that us mere mortals are guilty of to justify our profession.

Dominik Nitsche (Bluff Magazine)

Dominik Nitsche (Bluff Magazine)

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I’ve got a couple of exciting projects that are failing to materialise at the moment so we’ll see where they take me. I’ll keep details to a minimum now but will provide any relevant details so you can all be privy to my rise and fall. As long as it pays for a couple of trips away a year, some nice cooked food etc hopefully I’ll be alright!

The post “Life and Times: RYA Level 2 & Sailing Around the Forth Bridge” was first posted on Rupert Elder’s Blog.

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