My friend Pat Shearing paid a whirlwind
overnight visit to view properties in Weymouth in the hope of settling
here in the future. Coinciding with her arrival, was an e-mail from
Janet Read informing me of the information below.
Olympic Boat Arrives in Weymouth for Sailing Event
Collective Spirit took a year
to build and is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 20 knots. A boat made from donated timber to
celebrate the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad has arrived in Weymouth, Dorset,
after its maiden voyage. The 9m (30ft) vessel, built at Thornham Marina in Emsworth, Hampshire, is
made from about 1,200 pieces of wood. One of Jimi Hendrix's guitars makes up the tiller while a
leftover plank from the London 2012 velodrome was also utilised. Collective Spirit is on display at the Sand Jetty until 11 August. The
craft was built by Mark Covell, a Portsmouth boat builder and Sydney
2000
silver medallist, and Lymington yacht designer Simon Rogers.
Professional skipper, Captain Mike Barham has lead the two-month voyage
along with a crew picked from people nominated by the
public. The project was run by performance artists Gregg Whelan and Gary Winters, who
work under the name Lone Twin. The artists visited 20 locations across the region seeking wooden donations
to be used in the building of the craft. Members
of the public where also invited to bring wooden pieces to their
boatyard at Thornham Marina, Emsworth, from where it was launched. The
only criteria were that the items were made from wood and had a story
behind them. They plan to gift the boat back to the region as a permanent resource for the
public. Thank You Janet!
After a convivial
evening of Bonamassa and wine we were both keen to view this novel craft
which may afford me the opportunity to touch the guitar that was once
in the hands of my all time hero. The sky looked bright but the rain
bearing clouds to the west were not too far away, but search as we may
there was no sign of the Collective Spirit so we decided on breakfast.
Each of us had our own plans for the day ahead, but before we had even
finished the Eggs Benedict and Pancakes the heavens opened forcing me
for one to return to base! I found myself on the bus with an old
'sparring partner, none other than Weymouth Rock Legend
JUMPIN' JIMMY THUNDER 'Rocker Supreme'
Mr Thunder has brought much joy to untold numbers of people across this Borough and many others. Great to see you today Jimmy!
The old Rocker wore his hair too long,
wore his trouser cuffs too tight.
Unfashionable to the end --- drank his ale too light.
Death's Head belt buckle --- yesterday's dreams ---
the transport caf' prophet of doom.
Ringing no change in his double-sewn seams
in his post-war-babe gloom. Now he's too old etc....
Otherwise
it has been a quiet day on the ranch working on my next adventure,
trying to get Elizium - Fields of the Nephilim onto my i-Pod and
catching up with a few mates. To that end I'll need once again to visit
the archive to bring you 'half a dozen' Birds of the World:-
ADELIE PENGUIN - Antarctica
LACRIMOSE MOUNTAIN TANAGER - Colombia
LEMON-BELLIED FLYCATCHER - Australia
and finally from Dave Harris, via
brother Paul, perched in a Grandstand position during yesterday's most
memorable OLYMPIC ROAD TIME TRIAL CYCLING EVENT these astonishing 'close-ups' of not only
Bradley Wiggins - Team GB, Gold Medallist, Olympic Champion and UK Sports Personality of the Year in Waiting?
Congratulations to all Competitors and a big Thank You to Dave Harris
